Star of Bethlehem, Three Days Wait (Instauration Records)

This Columbus, Ohio-area band got this CD out just in time for Christmas in 2005. The band identifies itself, at least for the purposes of ISBN, as a Christian rock band, and this CD is intended to help raise money for several unspecified charities doing work for children. The title song kicks things off in a solid hard rock mode, talking about finding the Christ child, which appropriately leads into a version of "We Three Kings" with a definite Dave Matthews Band flavor to it. "Caroling" is a strong rocker about, well, caroling, and they even refer to "cranking it" and "slap the bass" in connection with serenading holiday listeners. "Snow Blues" is just that, an acoustic blues lament about leaving winter in Ohio for a trip to Mexico. They also take us on a "Sled Ride," promise to rock and roll Christmas with a new "Red Guitar," go bluegrass on, wait for it, "Blue Grass Christmas," and give us an ode to a "Snow Day." Rudolph gets props once more on "Christmas Hero," and they wrap things up with, well why not, "Merry Christmas." The band is an ambitious bunch of semi-pros who have given us a solidly entertaining holiday CD, one that remains available via Amazon (click the album jacket).