Now Hear This | Posted October 14, 2012
Kyle Sherman is the flagship artist for brand new label RayLynn Records. A well-known worship leader for Lifechurch.TV out of Forth Worth, Tex. (the church of well known pastor/author Greg Craig Groeschel), Kyle admits that signing with a label, let alone recording an album, wasn't even on his radar.
Once an independent artist who came up dry on all attempts to get signed, he settled comfortably into his new-found role as a worship leader at his home church when two fellow Lifechurch.TV congregation members told them about their idea to start a record label and have him record an album.
"I kind of chuckled, thinking it was a cool thought," he admits, "but I knew [they] were super busy and really didn't know what might happen from that initial exchange."
Sure enough, one year later, Kyle Sherman's first release, Hear Me, is now itself being heard by the public.
The album starts off an a brutally honest note with the title track, "Hear Me," which is an open cry to God, needing for Him to hear us in the most painfully confusing moments in our lives. The edifying "Come To Me" lightens things up a bit after such a dark opener, and leads into "Fountains"--a song about waiting on God to act on our behalf, no matter how difficult it might be.
"He Prayed For Me" builds in the beginning, but slowly deflates as it hits the chorus, turning the song into something that you may not be expecting. The cheery Southern-infused worship song "All Things New (Hallelujah)" is the perfect song for congregational worship and will surely move the listener into a powerful time of praise.
"Heaven" speaks of the majesty of eternity, while Kyle successfully pulls off a traditional Southern Gospel style song in "Built It On The Rock." It certainly stands apart, but his vocals, as well as his lyrics, go together perfect with the melody.
"One True Friend" presents itself like a modern day hymn, talking about the intimate friendship we have with Jesus, while "New Life" touches base yet again with the traditional Southern Gospel feel he manages to do so well. The bright and slightly pop-infused "You Are The Only One" stands as a firm-standing song of adoration to God.
The most lyrically profound track on the album comes next with the darker folksy tune "The Greatest Tear," talking about what God must've felt when He watched Jesus dying on the cross: "God turned His back and He looked away / and I believe a tear rolled down His face / and He must've cried the greatest tears, the cry for love."
"Healing Come Down" talks about the pain we feel in all shapes in forms as we walk upon this earth, but how Jesus died that we may experience freedom from all hurts and walk in His healing. It's a beautiful and uplifting way to close the album.
Closing Thoughts:
Kyle Sherman's voice reminds me a lot of Bart Millard's (MercyMe), in that it's strong, noticeable and able to sing any style of music well. That being said, it's clear that Kyle is still trying to establish his own style as both a singer and a songwriter. The album switches directions a number of times and leaves you slightly confused as to what genre it is.
Nevertheless, Hear Me is a solid freshman effort from one of the nation's prominent upcoming worship leaders. I look forward to seeing him mature as an artist, and settle on a style all his own.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |
to add lyrics if not listed.
