I do not like it, either. That is why, whenever I cantor, I use the Lenten Gospel Acclamation by David Hurd. It's based on his Kyriale. It is solemn, quite beautiful and easy to sing.

What makes the OCP settings even worse is the way they split the phrases, as well as the way the accompaniment sounds. It's just too joyful for Lent and, upon listening to the piece carefully, it does, sadly, sound like "Mary Had a Little Lamb." This is not Owen Aslott's best works.