Noel (Josh Wilson album)

Noel is the first holiday studio album from contemporary Christian music recording artist Josh Wilson, which was produced by Matt Bronleewe and released on October 9, 2012, by Sparrow Records. The album was met with commercial and critical successes.

Noel
Studio album by
Josh Wilson
ReleasedOctober 9, 2012 (2012-10-09)
Genre
Length35:56
LabelSparrow
ProducerMatt Bronleewe
Josh Wilson chronology
See You
(2011)		 Noel
(2012)		 Carry Me
(2013)

Background and release

The album was released on October 9, 2012 by Sparrow Records, and it was produced by Matt Bronleewe. This album was the first Christmas album by Josh Wilson.

Music and lyrics

At Worship Leader, they stated that the "Beautiful acoustic guitar and a haunting and hollow piano tone are the first musical touches you hear on Noel", and on that "Noel is basically its permanent home, in quality and uniformity of sound."[1] Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday wrote that this was a "very simplistic Christmas project with very few bells and whistles", and noted that "it does serve as the perfect album for intimate moments of praise by the fire this holiday season."[2] At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre compared the musical style here to the likes of Andrew Peterson and Steven Curtis Chapman.[3]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Christian Music Zine[4]
Indie Vision Music[3]
New Release Tuesday[2]
Worship Leader[1]

Noel garnered generally positive reception by music critics. At Worship Leader, they rated it four stars, and wrote that the artist was "warm and welcoming", which they compared the album to "a sonic mug of mulled cider."[1] Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday rated it the same, and she declared that it came in as expected, which was "simple, airy and chock-full of cozy, holiday warmth."[2] At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre rated the album three stars, and commented that "From reflective melodies and heartfelt hopeful inspirations, Josh is able to utilise his musical ability to carve out songs that will hopefully remind, transform and encourage listeners to see beyond themselves this December holiday."[3] Emily Kjonaas of Christian Music Zine rated it three stars, and said it was simply "a good record."[4]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The First Noel" (Instrumental)Traditional3:30
2."Jesus is Alive"Josh Wilson3:42
3."Go Tell It on the Mountain" (featuring Mandisa)Traditional3:17
4."Do You Hear What I Hear?"Gloria Shayne Baker, Noël Regney5:12
5."Christmas Changes Everything"Jeff Pardo, Wilson3:43
6."Almost Christmas"Matt Bronleewe, Ben Glover, Wilson3:15
7."O come, O come, Emmanuel"Traditional3:03
8."Carol of the Bells" (Instrumental)Traditional3:05
9."Angels We Have Heard on High"Traditional3:49
10."Once a Year" (featuring Andrew Peterson)Pardo, Wilson3:20
Total length:35:56

Charts
Chart (2012) Peak position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[5] 28

References
  1. Staff (November 26, 2012). "Christmas Releases". Worship Leader. Archived from the original on December 2, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  2. Fine, Sarah (October 14, 2012). "Plenty to love with Wilson's Noel". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  3. Andre, Jonathan (October 8, 2012). "Josh Wilson – Noel | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  4. Kjonaas, Emily (October 8, 2013). "Josh Wilson – Noel (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  5. "Josh Wilson Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard.
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