Is Give This Christmas Away a good place to start with Matthew West?

Yes, Give This Christmas Away is recommended as a starting point for new Matthew West listeners. A heartfelt blend of contemporary Christian melodies and acoustic tenderness celebrating the spirit of Christmas and togetherness. Released in 2009, 'Give This Christmas Away' marked Matthew West's transition from a rising contemporary Christian artist to a prominent figure in the genre. This album followed his successful studio efforts, showcasing his songwriting prowess and deepening his connection with listeners during the holiday season.

Who is Give This Christmas Away for?

Give This Christmas Away works well if you're into heartwarming holiday reflections, short bursts of festive joy and acoustic warmth for cozy moments.

How many songs are on Give This Christmas Away?

Give This Christmas Away has 5 tracks, running approximately 19 minutes.

Give This Christmas Away

Matthew West · 2009

19 min · 5 tracks · contemporary Christian music

A heartfelt blend of contemporary Christian melodies and acoustic tenderness celebrating the spirit of Christmas and togetherness.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Give This Christmas Away Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's message of generosity and love, combining catchy melodies with poignant lyrics that invite listeners to reflect on the true meaning of giving.
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Christmas Makes Me Cry — This track explores the bittersweet emotions that often accompany the holiday season, offering a vulnerable perspective that many listeners can relate to during times of joy and remembrance.
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Away in the Manger — West's rendition of this classic carol infuses traditional elements with modern sensitivity, making it accessible while honoring its original significance in celebrating Christ's birth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

49 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The album has a mix of upbeat and reflective tracks but lacks strong cohesion and depth.

What we noticed

The first track features a duet, creating a call-and-response dynamic that sets a festive tone.
The second track employs a slower tempo and introspective lyrics, contrasting with the upbeat opener.
Two of the tracks are acoustic versions, stripping down the arrangements to focus on vocal delivery and lyrical content.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 5/10
Durability 25% of the score: 4/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

heartwarming holiday reflections
short bursts of festive joy
acoustic warmth for cozy moments
nostalgic themes of togetherness

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat party tracks
want complex musical arrangements

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single marked West's rise to prominence in contemporary Christian music.
Themes: holiday generosity· bittersweet nostalgia· Christmas traditions
Career context: Released in 2009, 'Give This Christmas Away' marked Matthew West's transition from a rising contemporary Christian artist to a prominent figure in the genre. This album followed his successful studio efforts, showcasing his songwriting prowess and deepening his connection with listeners during the holiday season.
Stylistic neighbors: Chris Tomlin· Casting Crowns· Jeremy Camp