Echoing Thankfulness | Posted May-25-2015
Since 2003, husband and wife duo Brad & Rebekah have been leading worship together, with the last seven of those years spent traveling full-time with their music. With several independent worship projects now under their belts while highly active in international missions work, it's clear that this couple isn't slowing down anytime soon.
Their latest musical release All You've Done offers both energetic studio recordings and intimate acoustic moments, echoing thankfulness to God through every lyric.
"Wake Up" jumpstarts the album with a feeling similar to the vibrant start of a worship service, boasting the lyrics "wake up / He is risen / get up / He is with us / we are alive!" Slowing down the tempo, reverent "Oh Such Love" and "Lift Your Hands" display Rebekah's powerful yet soft and elegant vocals. "When We Gather" meets listeners with beautiful harmony, building up to an anthemic bridge that would fit perfectly in congregational worship.
Title track "All You've Done" quickly crosses the border into pop, with a chorus and infectious melody that just as quickly gets stuck in your head. Diving back into a worship tone, "Christ Is Alive In Me" is a tender moment of praise, while Brad takes the lead vocals on "Only You" to sing of the power of God.
"Children Of The Living God" proves to be one of the strongest tracks included here, with a memorable beat and victorious lyrics to match. The engaging piano intro to "Oh Great God" is enough to sell me on the song within seconds, but it gets even better as the lyrics of adoration flow effortlessly.
Another call to worship, "Body Of Christ," invites the church to stand up and make a difference for His name. "We Are Not The Same" begins slow and worshipful before suddenly changing to a much more upbeat tempo, almost seeming to be two separate songs. "The Heart Of The Father" gets some help from the Watoto Children's Choir and ends Disc 1 on an energetic and positive note.
Disc 2 of All You've Done features acoustic versions of all the songs in a more intimate and personal setting.
Closing Thoughts:
With thousands of worship records available now, the majority of them seem to blend together and sound the same. However, Brad & Rebekah have crafted something here that truly stands out. With thankfulness and praise flowing through every track, All You've Done is an outstanding effort to be heard. Worship leaders take notice— compositions, harmonies and songwriting like you'll find on this record are a hard combination to find fault with.
The Old, The New, The Outstanding | Posted May-11-2015
What could possibly make Unspoken any more remarkable than they already are? With Chad Mattson's flawlessly smooth vocals leading the way for an impressive band of musicians, the Centricity Music signees have been astounding the CCM world since their debut in 2012. Unspoken, who is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about groups around, is known for their catchy pop/rock sound that makes listeners instant fans.
However, there's a whole other side to what these talented guys can do. While high energy moments like those you'll find on their self-titled album are definitely exceptional in their own right, the moments you're most likely to remember from a live Unspoken show are those where the band goes acoustic. Lucky for us, they've captured just a small taste of that live goodness on their latest project Unplugged, a combination of both old and new songs all stripped down to their most organic forms.
The Old
"Who You Are," the top 10 hit that started it all for Unspoken, is found here in a new style that powerfully conveys the message of redemption and hope through Chad's moving vocals. "Lift My Life Up," a personal favorite from their last album, is reworked quite a bit on Unplugged, bringing a more intimate feel to an already worshipful song and inviting the listener to join in on the band's prayer.
Both recently successful singles, "Start A Fire" and "Good Fight," were obvious choices to be included on this project, incorporating different sounds into the acoustic versions to change things up a bit. Easily the most worshipful and lyrically strong moment you'll find on an Unspoken record, "Call It Grace" never fails to stun me with its simple yet profound explanation of salvation.
The New
Possibly the best part of Unplugged is the fact that, in addition to five favorites, it also includes five brand new songs. "Broken Man" opens the album with a touch of southern style, leading the way for the upbeat "Tell Somebody."
"Green Light" serves as an up-tempo encouragement to wait on God's timing before the guys slow down into another stand-out worship moment, "Solid Rock," which boasts the beautiful lyrics "through these dark and raging seas / Your grace has not abandoned m e/ for these storms I thank my God / for they drove me to the Solid Rock."
Bringing the album to a close, "Born With A Broken Heart" sounds like a potential contender for the group's next single, combining the powerhouse vocals of Mattson with the incredible instrumentation of the band to make for an all-around great track.
Closing Thoughts:
Slowly but surely, Unspoken keeps unveiling more of all they're capable of as artists, continuously crafting new sounds and producing phenomenal records for their fans. Unplugged gives a small glimpse into the live shows, putting their acoustic skills on display for listeners to connect with. This album proves that Unspoken is a group headed for big things, and I'll speak for everyone when I say that we'll be glad to keep listening, especially when it's filled with raw talent like Unplugged.
Song To Download Now:
"Born With A Broken Heart" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Rewriting Boundaries | Posted May-03-2015
At first listen, you'll realize Vice & Virtue isn't your typical CCM album. But then again, Jimmy Needham isn't your typical CCM artist.
The masterful pen behind "Clear The Stage" has been pushing the boundaries in music for over a decade now, letting his soulful voice and pop-driven melodies mesh with hard-hitting lyrics to make him one of the most unique talents in the business today.
With an unmistakable style all its own that won't be easily imitated, Vice & Virtue stands out as Jimmy's most creative effort yet, producing new sounds and trying different techniques that set this album apart from all his previous releases.
The title track, which Jimmy calls the "most offensive" song he's ever written, presents the album's constant theme of relationship over religion with the honest lyrics "which is good and which is bad / crystal meth or a gospel tract / if it's done for me and not for You / there's vice in all my virtue."
Tracks such as "Thank You" and "Momma Didn't Raise No Fool" prove why Needham is such a talent, showing off his effortlessly smooth vocals and writing style. "All We Need Is Need" shines as one of the more mellow additions here alongside a jazzed-up remake of the Randy Travis classic "Forever And Ever Amen," where Jimmy adds his personal spin on an old country hit.
"Sirens" comes to life with beautifully haunting opening vocals, leading up to a few songs written for his wife: "Only You," which puts Jimmy's incredible falsetto on display, and "Better Man," which tells a story of how marriage has changed him for the better.
"Mr. Nice Guy" and "Jekyll & Hyde" tackle the tricky subject of taking off the masks we hide behind to be who we really are. Closing out a truly great album, "The Story (A Spoken Word)" packs one last punch with more quotable lyrics than I could possibly fit in this review, with one of the best lines being found towards the end: "are you shocked by the consequence of sin? Be more shocked at the mercy of Him."
Closing Thoughts:
Let's revisit my beginning statement: at first listen, you'll realize Vice & Virtue isn't your typical CCM album. Admittedly, I wasn't sold at first on the new direction this project headed towards. But as is true with most of my favorite albums, it quickly grew on me, and once I finally got into it I was hooked. Shortly into my second listen I realized how great of a talent this record represents, outstanding in the both the creativity behind the new sounds and the process of writing all new lyrics that provoke such necessary conversations about Christ and the mess of religion.
Vice & Virtue isn't the norm for Christian music, but that proves to be a very good thing here. As long as Jimmy Needham keeps pushing boundaries and creating projects as genius as this, I'm sure we'll all keep listening.
Long Live The Storytellers | Posted April-16-2015
Songwriters are, by definition, storytellers. With every lyric, they strive to tell their story in a way that helps others know that they're not alone in their own stories. In the last few years, Matthew West has taken that job to a whole new level.
After posting a simple request for fans to send in their stories, Matthew was overwhelmed by thousands of letters and stories pouring in. Those letters inspired the songs that became West's 2010 release, The Story Of Your Life. The album was quickly welcomed into the CCM world as a breath of fresh air, bringing a raw honesty and deeply personal feeling that's all too rare in music today.
But the letters kept flooding in, sparking a second album of story-turned-songs, Into The Light. After several hit singles from that 2012 release and yes, even more stories, the songwriting journey continues with what I believe to be West's greatest effort thus far: Live Forever.
The title track opens with the challenge "86,400 seconds / make 'em count / make 'em matter / make it now / live forever," fittingly preceding "Day One," the lead single immediately met with listener support and positive feedback upon release.
Lyrics from "The List" feed from the 1 Corinthians 13 promises of the ability of love to forgive faults, much like "Grace Wins" mightily conveys Biblical truths on the power of God's grace and redemption in our lives. Upbeat "Tryin'" sends a much-needed message of self-confidence into the world, proclaiming that we are enough just as we are.
West's catchy hooks and signature pop sound are unmistakable throughout the full album, but shine especially bright on a few of my favorite tracks: "World Changers," "Mended" and "Born For This." Lyrically stronger than ever before, which isn't an easy task for such an accomplished songwriter, lines like this one from "World Changers" make Live Forever the incredible gem that it is: "you're a hero unsung / but the world knows a hero when they see one / this is to all the world changers / keep walking on."
"Mended" boasts similarly stellar lyrics: "When you see nothing but damaged goods, I see something good in the making / I'm not finished yet / when you see wounded, I see mended."
With deeply personal words straight from one of the letters Matthew received, "Anything Is Possible" proves itself to also be a standout track, telling a beautiful story of grief and restoration. Slowing down a bit, "Oh Me Of Little Faith" and "Heaven Is The Hope" bring the standard version of the album to a close.
If I were you though, I'd splurge on the deluxe. The acoustic take on "Day One" alone is enough reason to buy the extra three songs, adding a different feel to something we already loved. For the final two tracks, you'll need some tissues. "Homecoming" tells the heartbreaking story of a young girl whose life ended all too soon, while "Untold" pleads the case of a child whose life hasn't yet begun.
Closing Thoughts:
Matthew West has done it again, and this time even better than before. Each song captivated my attention and drew me in at first listen, making Live Forever an album to be kept on constant repeat. I thought eventually I would find a song that I didn't absolutely love, but to my great joy that moment never came. I'd be hard-pressed to point out any flaws in this album. As someone who has followed Matthew's music since the beginning, I have to say that Live Forever is definitely his best work yet. Matthew completely shattered my expectations for this release.
On top of being a genuinely phenomenal project from start to finish both lyrically and musically, the fact that every song came from real-life stories inspired by people all around the world makes it even more special. Our stories are powerful and deserve to be told, and Matthew has made it his mission to help tell some of those stories in such a remarkable way: with music. No matter what the future holds, this season of his career will forever be notable. There's no doubt that Matthew West is a great songwriter, and with these last three albums, he's empowered so many to tell their own stories to the world. These songs, as well as the stories behind them, will indeed Live Forever.
Heartfelt Worship | Posted April-13-2015
Washington DC's National Community Church and their worship team, NCC Worship, are on a mission to make the name of Jesus famous in our generation. You Alone, their latest musical offering as part of that mission, is both a worship soundtrack and a resource for other worship teams around the globe. The album includes five new songs, live versions of each song and teaching messages from NCC lead pastor Mark Batterson.
"Majestic" opens on a note of praise with the words "Your beauty, Your splendor / go on and on forever / oh Lord, our Lord / how majestic is Your name." Adding their own spin on an old classic, "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (He Is Not Dead)" takes the Charles Wesley hymn and adds a new chorus for a different feel while staying true to the original song and keeping the same melody. Title track "You Alone" provides an intimate moment of worship with simple yet powerful words that give all glory to God.
"Eternal One (Psalm 145)" climbs back uptempo while still continuing the worshipful setting, taking lyrics straight from Scripture and being led by beautiful female vocals. Last but definitely not least in the first half of this album, "Where Would I Be" stands out immediately as a favorite. For a worship record, this moment is about as good as it gets. With powerful lyrics, strong vocals and a flowing melody combined, it makes for an awesome ending to a worship set.
The last half of the album is comprised of live stripped-down versions of these songs recorded at Ebenezers, a local coffee house.
Closing Thoughts:
NCC Worship seems to be heading in the right direction. While an album with only five new tracks would normally be a major downfall, the five included here are good enough to make up for what the album lacks in length. Whether you're using You Alone as a resource tool or just as a set of new worship songs to connect with God personally, I'm sure you'll find it to be a great album and look forward to what's next from the NCC crew— as I am.
Learning To Sing In The Dark | Posted April-07-2015
Like many of us, Australian singer/songwriter Nathan Tasker has seen his share of dark days. Having faced the loss of his father-in-law and twin babies in the same year, Nathan knows what it is to trust God while experiencing great sorrow and loss. Shaped by the life he has experienced, the stories told through his latest release Man On A Wire are that of joy, grief and the hope we find when those two emotions mix with Christ's redemption.
"Trust You In The Darkness" opens as a prelude of sorts, setting the tone for the songs to come and leading straight into the title track, which comes from a personal lesson of learning to look to Jesus in all circumstances.
The mix of contrasting emotions throughout this album sum up Nathan's last few years of life. This tension is heard between upbeat tracks "Closer" and "Rise," which talk of God's nearness in heartbreak, and slower songs of struggle "Sowing Tears" and "Nowhere To Be Found," the latter including painfully personal lyrics from his testimony such a "losing a loved one is hard enough / three pushed us over the edge."
God's sovereignty over all is addressed in "Whole World," while "No Good Reason" speaks of His extravagant love for His children. "All The While," a duet with worship songstress Mia Fieldes, is easily the best song featured on this album, bringing an intimate moment of worship with lyrics pulled straight from Scripture. Mia's effortlessly smooth harmonies blending beautifully with Nathan's voice. Ending on a prayerful note, "Voice I Long To Hear" is a cry from Nathan's heart for God to speak into his brokenness.
Closing Thoughts:
It seems the 2011 Australian Artist of The Year is starting to make a name for himself here in the U.S., and after listening to Man On A Wire, it becomes clear why. Though still finding his place in the music scene, Nathan Tasker's passionate vocals and thought-provoking lyrics are not to be overlooked. Man On A Wire proves itself to be a well-rounded effort and tells Tasker's story in a way that shares hope with listeners around the world.
Mixing It Up | Posted March-18-2015
It's been almost a decade since Britt Nicole took the Christian music industry by storm with her charismatic personality, powerhouse vocals and sweet spirit. The Grammy and Dove Award nominated Sparrow/Capitol recording artist has since done big things and made a name for herself in both the CCM world and most recently in the mainstream pop world with her smash hit "Gold," the title track from her last full-length project three years ago.
In anticipation of a new album coming this fall, Britt is releasing her first ever full-length remix album simply titled The Remixes, showcasing new arrangements of some of Britt's biggest hits over the years.
Former Family Force 5 frontman Soul Glow Activatur lends his talents to the project on the PHENOMENON remixes of "Ready Or Not (feat. Lecrae)" and "Walk On The Water," bringing a unique sound to each. Neon Feather puts a fun spin on "The Lost Get Found," while remix masters Capital Kings add another level of techno vibes to the already dance-worthy "Amazing Life."
Some of the more vulnerable songs in Britt's discography are revisited as well. "All This Time (Pro Fit Remix)" takes on a more electronic feel and "The Sun Is Rising (Horizon Remix)" steps up the tempo and makes a beautiful recreation of a much-loved song of encouragement.
Serving its purpose of giving fans some new dance tunes to jam to, "Glow (J Sapp Remix)" and two revised versions of "Gold" (Lark and Jason Nevins Rhythmic Radio remixes) close out the album on a high energy note.
Closing Thoughts:
Remix albums are tricky things, testing the artist's ability to keep the originality that made the song so great in the first place while changing it enough to make it fresh and different. In this case, Britt pulls it off well. Each song proved to be transformed for the better, and it never felt like too much or too little.
Now a wife and mom, much has changed about Britt Nicole's life recently, but the way she puts so much heart and talent into her music has stayed the same. As we all anticipate new songs from the pop princess of CCM, I'm sure these remixes will be a great way to keep us happy and to keep us dancing.
Song To Download Now:
"All This Time (Pro Fit Remix)" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Hits You Can Dance To | Posted March-16-2015
Since 1995, WOW has been the go-to place to find all the best hits in Christian music. With annual releases, the series produces compilation albums of the greatest songs music has to offer. For the first time ever, WOW Hits Party Mix is tackling the world of remixes. This collection, broken up into two discs, includes 36 reinvented tracks, 17 of them being brand new. When being introduced to over two hours of new music, you're bound to find some absolute gems as well as some that fell a bit short of expectations.
The Times It Worked:
Francesca Battistelli starts the album off strong with the David Thulin remix of "Write Your Story." Big Daddy Weave's "Overwhelmed (NEVA Remix)" follows close behind, coming out (arguably) better than the original. Proving to be the standout remix in the collection, Brandon Heath's "Give Me Your Eyes (Unsecret Remix)" takes on a techno beat and shifts uptempo for a refreshing change to a song we've loved for years.
Everfound's remix of their own song "God Of The Impossible," Skillet's "Hero (The Legion Of Doom Remix)" and Chris August's "Center Of It (feat. Manwell)" also emerge as enjoyable listens and well-produced recreations of popular hits.
Crowder uses his "folktronica" style to bring a new element to the old hymn "Because He Lives," in which the legendary Bill Gaither makes an appearance. "Fireblazin (Neon Feather Remix)" from remix masters Capital Kings, "Joy (Remix)" from the Irish worship group Rend Collective and "On Fire (The Upper Room Remix)" by Sanctus Real all provide great examples of times that the remix technique worked well and left fans with a new way to hear the songs they've become familiar with.
The Times It Didn't Work:
Sometimes the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" could certainly apply to music, and a few entries here appear to fit under that category. Remixes such as Hillsong Young and Free's "Wake (Through The Night Remix)" and for KING & COUNTRY's "Fix My Eyes (Glory Remix)" come across slow and seem to drag on, not quite living up to expectations for such great songs. On the other end of the spectrum, "No Man Is An Island (haarp Remix)" from Tenth Avenue North and Love and The Outcome's "He Is With Us (JSapp Remix)" sound a bit rushed.
Closing Thoughts:
Even with a few tracks that didn't quite come together with the sound I had hoped for, the good still outweighs the bad here by far. WOW has spent decades gathering the very best Christian music has to offer and compiling it in a way that makes it easy for listeners to hear their favorites while also being introduced to new songs. This album is no different. Party Hits Mix gives us some great dance jams to enjoy, and it makes us all look forward to the next album that remixes our favorites.
Song To Download Now:
"Give Me Your Eyes (Unsecret Remix)" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Making A Mark | Posted February-18-2015
What do you get when you mix a witty sense of humor and insane talent with a humble spirit and soulful voice? For CCM fans, Chris August's name should come to mind immediately.
Since his "Starry Night" days, the GMA Dove Award winner has been adding a special something to Christian music, and with his latest effort The Maker, he continues to make a mark on the genre.
Recently released title track "The Maker" has been met with an overwhelming approval and excitement for the rest of the album, boasting the confident lyrics "I never have to wonder if somebody cares for me / I love the Maker / and the Maker loves me."
On the personal side of the album, "I'm In Love With You" serves as a sweet love song, while "Paradise" tells the story of a lost loved one and the hope of seeing them again in Heaven.
Upbeat "He's Still Here" challenges listeners to have faith in a God who still works miracles, and lyrically power-packed "Drop Your Stone" is a call to stop judgement and show grace to others.
"Gotta Be A Change" brings a different sound into the project, speaking of the change that happens in us when we accept Christ's mercy. Easily the standout track featured here, "Find You To Find Me" shows off Chris's silky smooth vocals and compelling way of telling his life's story within a song.
"Just The Same" visits the more worshipful side of this album and praises God for His amazing grace over all our mistakes. Closing out the album, "Superhero" and "Something" are a few more love songs, sure to make all the ladies appreciate Chris's charming songwriting ability.
Closing Thoughts:
Lyrically, The Maker is August's strongest effort to date. It's a project hard to find fault with, combining his captivating voice with different sounds and powerful lyrics. Fans of Chris will recognize the same style they've come to love from his music in these new songs while at the same time appreciating the evolution we're hearing as he becomes quite a seasoned artist. The Maker succeeds as a well made record, while Chris August continues to make a mark on Christian music.
Finding Her Voice | Posted January-29-2015
For close to a decade, Blanca Callahan was best known as the powerhouse vocalist from Group 1 Crew. November of 2013 brought the surprise announcement that she would be stepping down from the band to pursue a solo career. Now a wife and mother, Blanca felt called to step out on her own. Keeping much of her original sound and flaunting the bold, dynamic vocal skills we fell in love with in her G1C days, Blanca's first effort as a solo artist, Who I Am, is an EP you don't want to miss.
For most artists, the first song they release is a clear window into the message they want their ministry to convey, and although Blanca is far from a newcomer, title track and lead radio single "Who I Am" is no exception to that rule. Serving as a declaration over her life, it's fitting that this song would be the one that introduces us to this new season in Blanca's musical journey. In return, the track is already receiving positive feedback from fans relating to the message. "I'm holding to the One who holds me / Cause I know whose I am / I know who I am / I am sure I am Yours," the words proclaim.
The upbeat vibe, catchy beat and encouraging lyrics found in "Sunshine" resemble the sound of a Jamie Grace tune and promise to be stuck in your head for days to come. At first listen of "Echo," I was immediately hooked and impressed. The rythmic track is a standout on this EP for sure, using Blanca's soulful voice to sing out the lyrics "I was made to leave a mark / carry fire with my heart / no matter where I go / I want my life to echo You / I was meant to make You shine / be a reflection of Your light."
The final two tracks, "Not Backing Down" (which visits the R&B side of Who I Am and features a guest appearance from rapper Tedashii) and "Different Drum" carry the theme of standing out and being who God made you to be, ending the EP with a fun energy.
Closing Thoughts:
Who I Am may be technically considered as a freshman effort, but it's obvious that Blanca is a seasoned artist. The music featured here is the work of someone with a fearless heart for Jesus and a bold passion for the music she makes. Hopefully this EP is only a taste of what we'll be hearing from Blanca in the near future, as it's clear she's found her place as a solo artist.
CaitlinLassiter_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
