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Release Date: October 6, 2009 Label: INO Records Related Sites: · Official Site Grade: B

Anthony Evans plans a brand-new studio project titled Undisguised, slated for a January 26, 2010 release, but in the meantime he offers up his favorite holiday tunes and reminds us What Christmas Means.  It's a hodge-podge of spiritual classics and contemporary romantic mood music, with one new composition by Chad Cates and Tony Wood titled, "Immanuel." This original will be the project's first single, and director Steven Lester is in the midst of shooting a music video for it.

While the album might lack a cohesive theme, Anthony has a personal reason for his selections. "I made this record for my family," exclaims Evans. "My fondest memories of the holidays are built around our family's love of listening to Christmas music, and this album celebrates those memories. And with the variety of songs offered on this CD, I also want to invite the listener in to enjoy their own holiday memories, while reminding them of what Christmas really means."

The new opus, "Immanuel," is a piano-based mid-tempo ballad with pleasing chorus in minor key that showcases the higher portion of Anthony's vocal range. At 3:14, it seems to end a tad too early, especially because of its sonic build-up. The lyrics are somewhat depressing, even with its encouraging name-meaning reminder that God is always with us, as we are treated to the notion of an empty nester alone at Christmas, and other experiences of joylessness and brokenness.

Anthony Evans can belt out a note but, for  the most part, his delivery is plenty soulful but tempered on What Christmas Means.

The sleigh bells that lead off the title track set the holiday cheery disposition instantly, along with the saxophone, swinging beat and female background vocals.  "This Christmas" emulates a scratchy record for that vintage sound, and the horn-inflected beat keeps things joyous.

Subtle shifts in style are evident with a piano and string combination following the melody on "Grown Up Christmas List," plucked violin strings on "Where Are You Christmas," and acoustic guitar with delicate organ accompaniment on the medley "O Come All Ye Faithful/First Noel." "Do You Hear What I Hear" features a key change.

Two highlights finish out the disc with a wonderfully lounge-y "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and an emotive "O Holy Night." The former has a foundation of gentle piano and shuffling drums, while the latter evolves from a mellow beginning to a thunderous powerhouse of music and voice.

"O Holy Night" skips the second, but includes the rarely heard third verse that begins, "Truly He taught us to love one another/His law is love and His gospel is peace..."  A welcome alteration in "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" corrects the mythological reference to the Fates with the theological truth of Divine Providence ("through the years we all will be together if the Lord allows").

What Christmas Means is an early gift from Anthony Evans, an impassioned sentiment of soul prepped to warm your holiday celebrations.