Songwriter, musician and worship artist Todd Agnew, known for anthem hits such as “Grace Like Rain,” "This Fragile Breath" and “My Jesus,” returns with a compelling new project that explores the perceptions of our true desires, which ultimately can only be defined by acknowledging our need for a Savior. Known for his introspective writing that often parallels the teachings of the church and celebrates the character of God, Agnew's signature voice belts out joyful declarations of praise ("Gloria", "Joy Unspeakable"), cries for the urgency of Christ ("I Need No Other"), and yearns for answers and assurance ("Written on the Wall, Did You Mean Me?") with his unassuming "get-out-of-the-way-and-let-God-move" style.
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Jtindie.com Review of Need| Posted December 01, 2009
Artist: Todd Agnew
CD Title: Need
Style: Acoustic Worship
Website: www.toddagnew.com
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Playlist
1. Joy Unspeakable
2. Written on the Wall
3. I need no Other
4. Give Me Jesus
5. High Ground
6. Tell Me the Story
7. Did you mean Me?
8. Gloria
9. The Love of God
10. Breakable
11. Deep Love of Jesus
12. Jesus the Hope of Glory
13. Way of the Cross (Bonus Track)
14. All the World (Bonus Track)
15. All that I have (Bonus Track)
16. Joy Unspeakable (Live Acoustic – Bonus track)
There is no question that I have been waiting for this CD since back in July when I Interviewed Todd Agnew and heard a bit about the CD. The other day I finally downloaded the album from I-Tunes (Yes I purchased it with my own money) After taking some time to listen to the CD over the past few days I can happily state that Todd Agnew’s Music just keeps getting better with each project he puts out. “God doesn’t need me to do anything, the Sunday school answer is still the answer and Jesus is all I need.” Todd states on the Video that comes with the album Download in I-Tunes.
Something unexpected happened while I listened to the CD. After a few times through I found that the idea of the music and the songs began to fade and I was left face to face with with the message. If you have never listened to Todd Agnew let me just say that His songs are messages. With each song I had another message driven home. I am reminded of Rich Mullins, Keith Green and Michael Card in the way that this CD strips me bare of self righteousness and self deception, and shows me the truth that I need know only Christ and Christ Crucified.
I know I usually prefer music that is a bit rockier (Skillet, TFK, Flyleaf) and that this Cd has none of the rocking testosterone of the other bands I know that there are people who arent going to like this CD just because of the style. “Need” is a gathering of laid back songs that make no claim other than “Your Sunday School Teacher was right.” As I re-read the interview I did with Todd last July I can’t help but notice just honest and passionate He is, and with songs like “Tell Me a Story”
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him
Writhing in anguish and pain
Tell of the grave where they laid Him
And how He’s living again
Tell me the story of Jesus
Write on my heart every Word
Tell me the Story so Precious
Sweetest that I ever heard
“Did you mean Me?”
But you said that all sins can be forgiven,
But when you said that, did you mean me?
Did you mean me?
You said that we could be more like you,
But did you know what I’d do? How I’d fall so short?
And you said confession leads to healing,
Do you see I’m here and kneeling, and I’m still not well?
Just to reference a few songs and an entire CD of songs like these is it any wonder that I find myself thinking less about Todd Agnew and More about the Christ that Saves us. I feel safe in saying that everyone can find something on this Cd that challenges them. I don’t mean challenge in that make yourself better, but instead in the drawing you nearer to Jesus that Calls us his friend, the Jesus that calls us out to walk on the water and to cling to him. Im giving this CD a 4.0 out of 5.0 and I am going to end this with a quote from Todd’s Song “Breakable”
You are glorious, infinite, and wise,
You are mighty, holy, there is none beside you,
But to save me from my brokenness you became breakable.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from JTindie.com. Click here to visit JTindie.com today!
Todd Agnew [Need]| Posted October 06, 2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
For many, Todd Agnew is an acquired taste. While his past albums have had their moments, it’s also fair to say that they’ve had their challenges as well. Listening to the paradox that exists in Todd’s deep grunge vocals set upon tracks reciting Bible stories and old church hymns is strange to some and sometimes difficult to relate to. Often plagued by slow, wordy ballads sung in a deep baritone, Todd’s recent releases fell flat and had difficulty connecting.
Need, however, is quite different. This time around, Todd Agnew achieves balance. On Need, the best qualities of his signature lyricism and heartfelt vocals are captured within a myriad of listener-friendly hooks and infectious sounds. Much of the unwanted wordiness of past albums has been toned down and replaced with more syncopated rhyme. Todd returns once again to using his full vocal register, allowing choruses to build and reach their true intended climax. As a consequence, much of the music on Need feels natural, less embellished and far more appealing than before.
What’s more, Need offers a clever combination of styles from church hymns to southern gospel and both, classic and modern rock. This spectrum of influences helps keep the album interesting and the anticipation going from one song to the next. Several tracks on the album stand out for me as they remind us again of Todd’s gifts.
First off, tapping into the magic of past hits like “Grace Like Rain” and “This Fragile Breath,” are the tracks “Written On The Wall” and “The Love of God.” The song, “Written On The Wall” is an up-beat, piano-driven piece that includes the highly identifiable sentiment: ”I wish you still spoke through burning bushes...and I wish you still wrote on blocks of stone…‘cause the sound of this world is deafening and I wish your will was still written on the wall.” The song, “The Love of God” is a pacing and haunting alternative rock version of a timeless church hymn based on an old Jewish poem that expresses the endless depth of God’s Love. Dramatic and humble, Todd delivers what may be one of his most timeless covers yet. There is power in the chords as Todd delicately sings: “Oh, the Love of God – how rich and how pure, how measureless and strong. The Love of God – it shall evermore endure, the saints and angels song.”
Not to be outdone, the tracks “Did You Mean Me” and “Gloria” also soar to great heights. In “Did You Mean Me” Todd relates his personal struggle with sin and his own humanity in contrast to God’s eternal promises. Todd’s willingness to expose his own self-doubt in the lyric, “You said all sins can be forgiven, but when You said that, did You mean me? Did You mean me?“ is quite powerful. Also demanding attention, the radio-friendly first track on the album, “Joy Unspeakable” is both lively and sweet, and stylistically reminiscent of the hit song, “Heaven” by Los Lonely Boys. Dynamic as well, are the rocky “Breakable” and the classical hymn “I Need No Other,” which includes the title lyric: “I need no other argument, I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.”
Unlike recent attempts, Need is an album from Todd Agnew that has greater commercial appeal and is far easier to consume. In addition to loyal Todd Agnew fans, I expect general audiences to respond favorably to this solid release. Congratulations to Todd for his superb work!
For more Christian Music Reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If, for whatever reason, you’ve drifted away from Todd Agnew’s music in recent years, it’s time to come back and listen again. In Need, Todd reclaims so much of what originally attracted audiences to his music. His new album, Need offers listeners Todd’s signature depth and power, but more importantly, it recaptures his original artistry in a format that is highly consumable and extremely infectious.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 (85%, B)
Review written by: Aaron Hassen | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Avoid| Posted September 18, 2010
Avoid at all cost. You know what they say if you cant say anything good don't say anything at all. Well I better not say more just avoid at all cost.
It is a great present...| Posted October 28, 2009
Very simply delivered album but very fulfilling and encouraging. All the songs are great for relaxing but at the same time for becoming stronger in Christ.
i will be buying this in the near future| Posted October 02, 2009
I love Todd Agnew. His style and his voice really appeal to me. This new album does not disappoint. Tell me the story is my favorite.I will be buying this album very soon in the near future.
Need Great title| Posted September 30, 2009
I listened to the whole album review and loved it from start to finish you can truely heart the heart of God in this album truely sensational cd i'll be adding it to my vast collection
Todd Agnew- Need| Posted September 29, 2009
Absolutely wonderful! I especially enjoyed the new rendention of Higher Ground....
Tell me the Story is amazing!
Great new album, I have let my grandchildren know to look for this one!
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