Reception
How was the second half of the album rated?
The Terminator
The Heart of Christmas (album) Songs for Christmas (Phil Wickham album) Joy to the World (Lincoln Brewster album) The Outsiders (album) Never Give In (album)
The_Heart_of_Christmas_(album)-Critical_reception Songs_for_Christmas_(Phil_Wickham_album)-Critical_reception Joy_to_the_World_(Lincoln_Brewster_album)-Critical_reception The_Outsiders_(album)-Critical_reception Never_Give_In_(album)-Critical_reception
"The Heart of Christmas" garnered critical acclaim from music critics. At "CCM Magazine", Grace S. Aspinwall rated the album four stars, and called the album West has created a ""stunning"" Christmas album. Stella Redburn of Cross Rhythms rated the album eight out of ten squares, and said she would suggest it to a listener as a Christmas album that is eccentric. At Louder Than the Music, Rich Smith rated the album a perfect five stars, and commented that West has imbued the album with the correct Christmas spirit, which proclaimed was "fantastic." Jonathan Kemp of The Christian Music Review Blog rated the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, and evoked that West has made a great Christmas album unlike some artist. At Alpha Omega News, Tom Frigoli graded the album an A, and stated West really knows the meaning of this special time of year. Tyler Hess of Christian Music Zine rated the album three-and-a-half out of five stars, and alluded to how the album has a "few hints of spice and personality" that help distinguish it from the rest. However, Allmusic's Jon O'Brien rated it three stars, which was the only mixed review, and felt that with respect to the album it "doesn't exactly break any new ground, but it's a heart-warming affair". 
"Songs for Christmas" garnered critical acclaim from music critics. Andrew Greer of "Christianity Today" rated the album four stars, and proclaimed the album to feature some "delightful artistry." At "Worship Leader", they rated the album a perfect five stars, and noted how his original sounding voice comes "dripwith passion". Brendan O'Regan of Cross Rhythms rated the album nine out of ten squares, which he felt that for his sake the album "comes close to being the perfect Christmas album", and highlighted that the cover art was esthetically pleasing. At Jesus Freak Hideout, Ryan Barbee rated the album four-and-a-half stars, and commented that the album was simply "incredible". Tyler Hess of Christian Music Zine rated the album four stars, which he said the album was just "nice", and the album should "[bring a soft comfort for those looking forward to enjoying the Holiday." At The Christian Music Review Blog, Jonathan Kemp rated the album three-and-a-half stars, and wrote that the listener should just get the songs they liked rather than buying the whole project because it was not the "best" of Christmas albums. 
"Joy to the World: A Christmas Collection" garnered universally positive critical reception from music critics. At "Worship Leader", they rated the album three-and-a-half stars, and said all the classic hallmarks of a Lincoln Brewster album are on the album with the Christmas elements in tow. Elliot Rose of Cross Rhythms rated the album a seven out of ten, and wrote that the album ended well. At Jesus Freak Hideout, Bert Gangl rated the album three-and-a-half stars, and alluded to how the album has some setbacks yet it comes "loaded with more wheat than chaff." Jonathan Andre of Indie Vision Music rated the album four stars, and proclaimed the album to be "certainly joyful". At New Release Tuesday, Mary Nikkel rated the album four stars, and wrote that "Although the album draws wholly on already established songs, it does so with a lack of pretension and an enthusiastic tone which sinks into each selection." Kelly Sheads of New Release Tuesday rated the album four stars, and noted that the album makes a worthy contribution to Christmas projects. At Christian Music Zine, Joshua Andre rated the album four-and-a-half stars, and proclaimed it to be a "sublime and near-flawless effort!" Praise.com's Rebekah rated the album four stars, and said the release "does not disappoint."
"The Outsiders" garnered critical acclaim from music critics. At Allmusic, Andrew Leahey rated the album four stars, and suggested that the band "offer up another collection of sweeping, reverent rock songs" on which he alluded to how the album "flirts with touches of roots rock and traditional gospel, though, from the title track's powerful Southern stomp to the sheer power of Bear Rinehart's voice." Furthermore, Leahey noted the album "covers more ground than records by similar artists, and it does so without alienating any of its secular-minded listeners, too." Matt Conner of "CCM Magazine" indicated in a positive review that that the album "brings even more evidence to the table that Rinehart's rock sensibilities only improve with time", and Conner also mentioned that the album's "second half provides some of the most beautiful moments on the record." At Christian Music Review, Liz Haveman rated the album three-and-a-half stars, and criticized the album because "some of the songs are confusing in their message. They are a little too vague to really grasp what these guys are trying to say." However, she highlighted how "the music itself is really enjoyable. It has a “Jack Johnson”-ish quality to its laid back candor. Over all, the album is really enjoyable and I think it is going to satisfy the Needtobreathe fan base." Ian Webber at Cross Rhythms rated the album nine out of ten stars, and underscored how the band "have crafted an excellent collection of tracks that wrestle with issues of faith and doubt in an honest and accessible way." At Indie Vision Music, Joshua Clark rated the album four stars, and felt that the "lyrics seem a lot more ambiguous", yet called the release "near-perfect". At Jesus Freak Hideout, Jen Rose rated the album four-and-a-half stars, and evoked that the album was "one of those rare gems where every track stands out, some pulling you in with a catchy intro or a clever lyric, others surfacing after spending time with the music." Pär Winberg of Melodic.net rated the album four-and-a-half stars, and underscored that "if you also add really good song writing to that - you all understand that you have a killer album", which he concluded with calling it "a fabulous demonstration how good music should sound like." At New Release Tuesday, Kevin Davis rated the album a perfect five stars, and emphasized that the album was "the most catchy and meaningful album [I've] heard this year."
"Never Give In" garnered critical acclaim from music critics. At Allmusic, Thom Jurek rated the album four stars, and noted how the release "abundantly captures" the musicians "strengths as both singer and songwriter." Craig Manning of AbsolutePunk rated the album a 95-percent, and he felt that "this record is the best one-album snapshot of who Hoge is as an musician." At Roughstock, Matt Bjorke rated the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, and evoked that the release was "well worth seeking out" because "Will Hoge balances everything that sums up what makes Nashville such an awesome place for musicians to live." Kimberly Owens of Got Country Online rated the album a perfect five stars, and highlighted that "This album proved to me that whatever Will Hoge sings, he never fails to bring true emotion to the lyrics, he never fails to put you on his level, and draw you in with the soulfulness of his voice."