With career sales exceeding 450,000 units, the acoustic guitar-wielding, Texas-based duo Shane & Shane returns with its eighth album, Everything Is Different, releasing Nov. 3, 2009. Produced by Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Kutless, Phil Wickham) the album embraces a more corporate worship style, inspired by Shane Barnard and Shane Everett's role as worship leaders at their home church in Dallas. Influenced by the pair’s ongoing involvement in teaching, training and discipling students in the area of worship ministry, Everything Is Different offers moments that range from vertical praise to quiet reflection. Songs include “You Have Resurrected My Heart,” “Rain Down,” “Everything is Different,” “Great Reward,” “For The Good,” “Turn Down the Music,” “You Say I’m Rich,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Enlarge My Heart,” “Psalm 73 (You Are My Portion),” “This Is Who I Am,” and “Worthy of Affection.” The record’s title track and debut single will be serviced to Christian Adult Contemporary radio this October
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MORE TO MEMORIZE FROM SCRIPTURAL DUO| Posted November 09, 2009
When Mac Powell made a wish list of songwriters to contribute to this year's Glory Revealed II scripture song project, it's no surprise Shane Barnard and Shane Everett were at the very top. Having chalked up a successful career with a catalog of discs comprised of songs largely based on Bible text, Shane & Shane remains committed to uplifting believers with musical memory verses on their seventh studio project, Everything Is Different.
Even though Pete Kipley (Kutless) and Jason Hoard (Fee) contribute production, the record maintains mostly acoustic motifs from top to bottom (except for a few bonus radio edits), letting the easy-to-remember melodies and the duo's trademark harmonies lead the way.
Directed by the fellas' position as song leaders at their home church in Texas, the tracks maintain a consistent worship feel. Interpolating verse quotes and their own translation of some of scripture's most beloved lines, the Shanes' direct approach in naming the Lord as the object of their musical affection is refreshing, especially in a booming worship music culture, where songs sung out of context could be used for an entirely different purpose than praise.
The only downside to their lyrical inclinations is that many seem overused, sounding cliché, not inspiring. But even amidst the repetition, when Shane & Shane sing, "All Yours is the kingdom/the power, the glory/Forever," in "The Lord's Prayer," I'm not convinced it could be said any differently. Or any better.
Mostly recorded "live" in the studio, with few post-production touch-ups, Everything Is Different provides yet another glimpse into the heart of Shane & Shane. —Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Shane & Shane [Everything Is Different]| Posted October 27, 2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
With career sales exceeding 450,000 units, the acoustic guitar-wielding, Texas-based duo Shane & Shane returns with its eighth album, Everything Is Different. The album embraces a more corporate worship style, inspired by Shane Barnard and Shane Everett's role as worship leaders at their home church in Dallas. Influenced by the pair’s ongoing involvement in teaching and training students in the area of worship ministry, Everything Is Different offers moments that range from vertical praise to quiet reflection.
Among the most devotionally focused singer/songwriters of this generation, for Shane Barnard and Shane Everett, it all comes back to the creative source. “We always have a tendency to bring the scriptures into our songs,” Barnard explains. “It happens naturally for us. It’s not like we have a game plan, but we’ve always spent a lot of time in the Word of God. The Word of God is just so good - if you don’t mess with it - it’s hard to mess it up. I think this album, probably more than any other album we’ve done, is the Word of God set to music.”
My favorite overall song by Shane & Shane is now the title track “Everything is Different”, which is a song about all of these things that are completely changed and how different they are in Christ. Shane & Shane drew heavily on scriptures from Isaiah to make its point in this upbeat, corporate worship song, comparing the wages of the world with the free gifts of God - from ashes to beauty, from heaviness to praise, from no way to a clear path, from the impossible to all things are possible.
Primary songsmith, Shane Barnard drew on Hebrews 1 and Psalm 40 for inspiration in the gorgeous corporate worship hymn, “Worthy of Affection.” The album’s sweet yet pulsating musical version of “The Lord’s Prayer” is taken word for word from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Shane Everett lends his rare songwriting talent on “Rain Down,” a song that reflects Psalm 27. The album’s first radio single, a creative re-imaging of the beloved hymn, “My Hope Is Built,” is based on Jesus’ parable of the wise man who built his house on solid rock, found in Matthew, chapter seven.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Musically this album is very diverse and the songs are acoustic oriented with very biblical lyrics. Harmonizing together on every song, Shane & Shane’s personal and vulnerable vocals have never sounded better. Each successive album has improved on the last for Shane & Shane from Clean to Pages to Everything Is Different, which is now their best overall album in my opinion. For me, the standout songs are “Everything Is Different”, “Worthy of Affection”, “I’m Alive”, “Rain Down” and “My Hope Is Built”. If you’ve liked past hit songs “Be Near”, “Yearn” and “We Love You Jesus” by Shane & Shane, then you need to pick up Everything Is Different.
Rating: 9.0 out of 10 (90%, A-)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | 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!
Good album| Posted December 28, 2009
They seem to cling a lot to scripture-lifted phrases. Nothing wrong with that; on the contrary, it's a wondrful starting place for a pre-believing new listener ("where does God make THAT promise?/say that?"). You'll enjoy it.
(I give fair reviews, masterpieces get 5)| Posted October 26, 2009
3.5 out of 5 stars
The Texas acoustic gospel duo of Shane Everett and Shane Barnard produce some of the most spell-bounding music in the industry. Onlookers throughout the music industry have noticed how Shane & Shane not only play their acoustic guitar more uniquely than most mainstream rockers know how, but they sing some of the most impressive and beautiful harmonies ever put to tape. Altogether, their music is completely singular and I have personally seen this band live. It was one of the most impressive, magical performances I have ever seen musicians give. The music is simple but spectacular. The lyrics are often biblically-based, but never dull. And as said, the harmonies never fail to reach the heights of heaven. This band is not just something Christians can enjoy listening to: it in fact should be essential listening for anyone who wishes to be a guitarist or singer.
Their 2009 record Everything is Different begins with the energy-full title track that contains all of the greatness mentioned above along with guitars similar to a stripped-down John Mayer. The next track, titled “The Lord’s Prayer” effectively uses the famed verse as its lyric, which is quite ingenious because most listeners will hear this great song for the first time already knowing the lyrics.
Much of the album follows it suit, with the songs containing a backdrop of mainly acoustic guitars and the two vocalists almost always singing over one another. The lyrics can sometimes be as simple as the refrain of “I love you, Lord,” but each song offers up its share of insight and honest reflection. This simple formula, with songs written by two visionary and spiritual worship leaders, always leads to good music, but the results rarely yield surprises. On the other hand, multiple listens of each song will surely lead to the revelation of not only more insight but also brilliant little moments of music that are well-crafted and subtly performed.
The album does have some surprises though. One such surprise is “My Portion,” the bluesy tune with tinges of organ and musical interludes setting it apart from the pack. Electric instruments finally come near the end, packing a Starfield-like punch with the powerful “My Hope is Built.” But with the fact that so few songs have stand-out qualities, the numbers can easily bleed together and lead to a partially boring listening experience if taken in one big dose.
This album nearly reaches the rare feat of every song being great; unfortunately, “This is Who I Am” is simply good, filled to the brim with violins and cliches. Nevertheless, this album secures Shane & Shane’s spot as ever-growing musicians and leaders who are some of the best harmonists in the business. It’s a little unfortunate that the album ends with three pointless radio edits of songs already heard on the album, but at least listeners can rest assured that the album’s three most energetic (acoustic) songs will soon be hitting the radio: the title track, “I’m Alive,” and “Rain Down.” These songs are far from being the essential Shane and Shane compositions, so I highly suggest that if you aren’t interested in this album, go hear their songs “Burn Us Up,” “May the Few,” “I Miss You,” and their so-great-it’s-flabbergasting rendition of “O Holy Night.” And if you ever get the chance to see these guys live, take it. You won’t be disappointed.
Everything is Different by Shane & Shane| Posted October 26, 2009
First the lyrics were very clear. The album is pleasant to listen to but it is different. The blend of old traditional church hymns with new more modern church hymns is surprising and pleasant.
At it again...| Posted October 26, 2009
Solid music, solid vocals.
Everything these guys put out tends to leave you tapping your foot and wishing you had the vocal prowess to sing along with as much conviction and passion.
I have yet to be let down by Shane & Shane. Great when they are live and great when you're listening to the album.
S2 in Peak Form| Posted October 26, 2009
Thanks so much for making this album preview available. I have nejoyed getting to hear the album early, and I will definitely be buying it as soon as it is available.
I have been a Shane & Shane fan for years (since Psalms), and I am loving this new album. This is a really scripturally-focused album (a bit moreso than Clean and Pages), and I love that. That is one of my favorite things about the Shanes' music - its focus on the Word.
I also really like the fact that this album is a bit more "even" in its sound. I think this makes it more like their earlier albums (Psalms and Carry Away and Upstairs), where the songs had a more consistent tempo and style than Clean and Pages. It makes it perfect for listening while I am at work.
Thanks Shane & Shane for another great album that I will be enjoying for years. :-)
another Great Album!| Posted October 26, 2009
They just keep on cranking them out...
Good songs with thought-provoking lyrics...
I heard many verses and thoughts from the Bible
and I was reminded of God's great promises
just in the listening, like a bible study
and a morning devotional/worship all rolled into one
(just sing along to get your praise on)...
Tasty guitar licks (with other instrumentation)...
And those great soaring vocals, with lovely and talented harmonies...
Another album (CD) that you need to add to your collection...
Buy it NOW!
Nice listening| Posted October 25, 2009
I wish this free preview of the CD would give titles of songs!I really like the fact that there are two lead vocals and lots of acoustic guitars. This CD is on the mellow side. Nice to kick back and listen.
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