Starting Strong| Posted June 23, 2014
Husband and wife duo We Are The Monks is living the dream: traveling the road, leading worship, making music, and doing the whole thing together. The Nashville-based couple says they want their relationship to be a light and to minister to others. With their newly released and acoustically driven self-titled album, Shellie and Trent Monk definitely accomplish that goal.
The album centers around relationships, both spiritual and physical. Opening with the catchy "Walking On The Water" and worshipful "My Help," the duo sings of following Jesus and trusting that He will provide for them in any circumstance. "Heavy Load" is an offer to bring all your worries and give them to Jesus, while "Rise" is a congregation-friendly call to worship.
Other songs on the album steer towards the topic of the family relationships in the Monks’ life. "Stronger" is about the people who encouraged and made them who they are now. "Here We Go" and "Slow Dance" are songs about the adventure they're on as husband and wife and their love for each other. Closing out the collection of songs is the touching ballad Trent wrote in anticipation of their son Oliver's birth, "These Arms."
Closing Thoughts: We Are The Monks is a solid first album. Rarely do debuts sound as experienced and well put together as this one does, making it an enticing record from start to finish. The passionate vocals mixed together with the beautiful acoustic landscape prove Shellie and Trent to be a wonderful combo that suit each other well. The only fault to this album is that it's only a short eight tracks, leaving the listener wanting to hear more. We Are The Monks has a bright future ahead with lyrically powerful records like this one.
Song to Download Now:
"Rise" (Get it on iTunes here.)
to add lyrics if not listed.
