We last heard the stellar vocals of Natalie LaRue in 2002 as at age 17, Natalie and her brother Phillip, 19, finished their third and final album as LaRue, Reaching. The album received high praise for its sophisticated harmonies, matured lyrics and fuller alternative rock feel. Reaching had several stand out tracks as the siblings’ musical talent and lyrical honesty reflected their artistic maturation. The album’s catchy pop title track reflected LaRue’s passionate worship to God.  After ten years since her last album, the 28-year-old wife and mother of three is excited to release Even Now, her newest EP of songs chronicling the lessons of faith, family and love that are on her heart from the past decade. This album includes six new compelling songs about her experiences of the past decade being a wife, a mother and Christian.

The opening track “Back To You,” is a gorgeous piano-based ballad with Natalie’s passionate vocals setting the tone for this five star effort with the confessional lyrics, “I can come back to You, back to You today, how I love the way, You’re kindness keeps on rolling, like a river swells with rain, pulling me back to You today.” The reflective opener is a wonderful prayer-song about finding regular strength and courage in God’s faithful kindness. “Humble Me” has already become one of my personal worship anthems with the piercing words: “God of the broken, God of the weak, Humble me to love, Friend to the outcast, Savior of me, humble me to love, humble me to love.” The upbeat and uplifting track “May You Have Victory” is a poignant statement about finding God’s transcendence in daily difficulties.

“Baby Boy” is a melodically-soaring lullaby about Natalie’s son, Noah. Anyone who has experienced parenthood will actually physically feel the emotion so poignantly expressed by Natalie as she passionately cries out “I will never be the same.” “Glory” has a gospel-feel and is a meditative reflection on the greatness of God. Natalie’s vocal runs in many of the songs including “Glory” cause me to hang on every word she brilliantly sings. The lyrics reflect the theme of this mesmerizing album—“Glory I’m in need and You’ll always have me.” Closing track “Home” ends the album as strong as it starts, and is a wonderful picture of marriage and faith commitment with the phrase “You are my home, you are my sense of peace, and it’s in my arms, and I finally found my release, I found my home.”  Having been married for almost eighteen years, the song perfectly depicts the beauty of a marriage commitment to unity. This entire album is loaded with relatable lyrics, incredible singing and prayerful themes about what it means to be a parent, spouse and child of God.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

If you like the female vocalists Jewel, Sarah McLachlan and Audrey Assad, then don’t miss out on this incredible album. In the 1990’s when I wasn’t saved I was a huge fan of the mainstream singer-songwriter Jewel and her hit songs “Foolish Games” and “You Were Meant For Me” captivated me with her relatable lyrics and gorgeous vocals. Natalie LaRue has released an album with vocals and lyrics that remind me of that incredible twelve-time platinum debut album Pieces of You by Jewel. This album is balm for my soul.

The album kicks off with “You Know Better” with an upbeat musical style like openers “This Life” and “Goodbye Ordinary” from their last two albums. The message of the song sets the tone for the album with the confessional lyrics “I know You know better, so why don’t I go wherever You say, come follow wherever You lead, so won’t You help me?” The hook-filled songs are all prayers and conversations with God in the style of my favorite MercyMe songs, “You’re To Blame” and “No More No Less” from Coming Up To Breathe (2006). “You Don’t Care At All” takes it up a notch musically with a piano-rock beat and another confessional chorus, “All of my yesterdays, all of my past mistakes, You’ve thrown them all away, You don’t care at all, You don’t care at all, No matter what I do, or what I’m going through, has already died with You, You don’t care at all.” Amen to that! That type of biblical truth is woven into the thesis statement of the album, the surefire hit title track “The Hurt & The Healer.” The last couple of albums have featured a Brit-rock musical style like The Beatles and electronic rock like Electric Light Orchestra and Maroon 5. Once again MercyMe has adapted and musically this album features gang vocals and an indie alternative rock musical style which reminds me of Arcade Fire and Muse. The chorus sums up our transformation as followers of Jesus: “I’m alive even though a part of me has died, You take this heart and breathe it back to life, I fall into Your arms open wide, when the hurt and The Healer collide.” The song is catchy and expresses the prayerful yearnings of my heart.

Another standout moment is found in “You Are I Am” which declares “You’re the One Messiah, You Are, I AM!” There’s absolutely no doubt Who these songs are worshiping as there are no ambiguous lyrics or allegory, just straight-up sincere and prayer-filled lyrics. Just when I thought MercyMe couldn’t get any better, the next song “Take The Time” rocks my world by featuring a duet with Bear Rinehart, the lead singer of my other favorite band, multiple Dove Award winning NEEDTOBREATHE. The song has a laid back Southern rock musical style like “Washed By The Water” both in music and message, including the signature rock guitar licks that can be heard from both of these incredible bands in concert. It is a match made in heaven for me and a can’t miss song on the album. The album closes with more potential hit songs, “Don’t Give Up On Me,” “Best of Me” and gorgeous closing track “The First Time.” I'm extremely moved by the passion behind the lyrics of all of these songs which speak of how the world says we are never good enough, yet Christ saw something beautiful in us worth dying for—a cohesive theme of every song ever recorded by this incredible band. If you’ve always been a fan of MercyMe or you’re just discovering them, this is a band that you can proudly share with your friends and family. MercyMe never fails to deliver an album proclaiming their faithfulness and adoration of our King and Savior Jesus. Amen.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I’ve been immensely blessed by MercyMe for over ten years. In my opinion each album has improved upon their previous excellent offering with All That Is Within Me (2007) and The Generous Mr. Lovewell (2010) firmly establishing MercyMe as the premier band in all of Christian music with No. 1 hits “God With Us,” “You Reign,” “Finally Home,” “All of Creation,” “Beautiful” and “Move.” My favorite aspect of savoring the next “best” MercyMe album is listening for their signature harmonies, songs with challenging biblical truth wrapped around hooky melodies, and hearing them set new musical trends in Contemporary Christian Music. The Hurt & The Healer (2012) knocks it out of the park with an indie alternative rock musical style like GRAMMY winning bands Arcade Fire and Muse and at least three more No. 1 hits, “You Don’t Care At All,” “The Hurt & The Healer,” “Don’t Give Up On Me” and gorgeous closing track “The First Time.” The Hurt & The Healer by MercyMe has been my most anticipated album of 2012, and I’m pleased to say it exceeds my expectations as I could not “imagine” they could outdo themselves. This incredible band has once again released their newest best album. It has a very warm musical style that will immediately soothe your soul and cause you to worship and sing along with these ultra-talented musicians. The album has a comforting and cohesive theme as each song threads the message of “when the hurt and the Healer collide.” Don’t miss out on the compelling sonic musical feel of this stellar five star album. Bart Millard’s vocals are stronger than ever and the encouraging and prayerful themes of this album are catchy, emotional and inspirational. I fully expect several GMA Dove Award nominations for group, pop/contemporary album/song and one of my selections for Song of the Year, “The Hurt & The Healer.”

Jennie Lee Riddle’s project People & Songs, Opus 1 Collective features twelve artists performing fifteen original songs written by three time Dove Award winner and author of the worship anthems “Revelation Song” and “When The Stars Burn Down.” We have become familiar with Jennie Lee Riddle’s songwriting through the voices of Kari Jobe, Phillips Craig & Dean, Selah, NewSong, Tricia Brock, Newsboys, Travis Cottrell, Rebecca St. James, Shane & Shane, and JJ Heller to name a few. Now, Jennie Lee Riddle is opening up to share more of her heart and life with us. Jennie founded New Nation Music out of a desire to write Scripture-based doctrine upon the heart and mind of the church. Motivated by a desire to cultivate unity and authentic respect in the family of God, New Nation Music Band travels throughout the churches inviting all age groups to join together to lift one voice as one Bride to One King. Visit http://www.peopleandsongs.com to discover more.

If you like the top five CCLI worship anthem, “Revelation Song,” then you’ll love this album which also includes a must hear version of Jennie singing her song along with her daughter Emily, which has been made famous by Kari Jobe. The song brings me to the Throne Room and Jennie’s tender and even tentative vocals remind listeners of the reverence of the biblical lyrics. Rather than write about every song, I’ll focus on my favorite new songs for the Church that Jennie has written for us to worship along with, “in Spirit and in Truth.” Opener “Waking Up The Dawn” features the album’s producer Michael Farren of Pocket Full of Rocks and sets the tone musically as these are stripped down Americana style musical arrangements that allow listeners to really focus on these vertical lyrics. Jason Walker of Know Hope Collective lends his vocal talent to another standout song, “Love Like This.” I absolutely love Jennie Lee Riddle’s songwriting and the beautiful and stirring worship song “When The Stars Burn Down” co-written with and sung by Jonathan Lee. The song has also been recorded by Phillips, Craig & Dean and Travis Cottrell.  I really appreciate Jennie’s insight into the song especially as I sing along with the biblical truths throughout this song, especially the incredible lyrics: “There will come a day, standing face to face, In a moment we will be like Him, He will wipe our eyes dry, Take us up to His side, And forever we will be His, Singing blessing and honor, glory and power, forever to our God.” The song title says a lot, “when” not “if” the stars burn down. “When Love Was Slain” is my new favorite worship song and features the stunning vocals of newcomer Crystal Yates. This song moves me to reflect on just how much Jesus endured for His bride to purchase us from the grave. “When Love Was Slain” is about submitting to the Lordship of Jesus over our lives and acknowledging that “I am freedom’s slave.” The case of those that are the servants of sin is sad, but thanks be to God it is not hopeless. You can make the decision to admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and came to die as a sinless Savior on our behalf, and choose to make Him the Lord of your life. What a wonderful, loving and gracious God that we serve. I am so thankful to Jesus for saving me.  John 8:36 says, “If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” Amen to that!

There’s this emotion that the song “You Are My Shepherd” brings out even the first time you hear it. Jonathan Lee brings a vocal sincerity that wrecks me and this gorgeous song was also recorded by Tricia Brock. For me, I need that rescue and peace referenced in this beautiful song that comes from knowing that God is my Shepherd. No matter how lost we get, we can know that He is seeking us out, even when we feel lost, hurting and straying. He’s never lost us and He’ll find us. That brings peace when life isn’t easy. Standout songs “Glory Fall” featuring Crystal and Will Yates and “O Come Divine Messiah” featuring Robbie Seay keep the worshipful flow going right into another song which stops me in my tracks, “Broken For Love’s Sake” featuring Don Chaffer. Just like the other songs it has a tender and moving confession, “Should my heart break, when Love’s the only way, So be it Lord, may I be broken for Love’s sake.” Wow, what an incredible sentiment and sacrificial offering to our Savior Jesus. “From the time my pen hit paper, to this very second there was not a moment where you have not been lovingly thought of. This album contains everything I could want to say to you up to this point in my life and my (our) prayer is that You are made RICH with the knowledge of Christ and overflow with His goodness,” says Jennie Lee Riddle about her worship project.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

This album grabs me with every song. Truly, every song is amazing. Jennie has a knack for hitting me where I am spiritually and expressing the prayerful yearnings of my heart. This album is no exception as I get welled up praying along with several of the songs and most of all, I am stirred with compassion to love people as Jesus loves us. That’s the heart behind this album, and thank you Jennie for blessing us with your music and for writing and singing the Truth of the Gospel for the Kingdom of God. This album soothes, moves and challenges listeners. People & Songs, Opus 1 Collective by Jennie Lee Riddle is a profound listening experience. I love her writing. It is so honest, and has lots of depth lyrically. It feels like at times as Christians we’re living on another planet and we’re fighting all the time. We all know why, because we weren’t made for this world. Writing and singing songs of worship aren’t always easy when things aren’t going well. We’re called to worship and we need to be obedient. We are dependent on God for every breath. A state of brokenness keeps us on our knees and helps us realize how much we need God. This five star worship album reminds me that “this world is not my home, this life is not my own, and soon Lord, O very soon, You’ll come to take me to be with You.” Choosing to worship when you don’t feel like it deepens your faith. Even in the midst of our greatest struggles, we need to find joy and peace from knowing God. This album reminds us that the pain of this world is temporary and to live for Heaven.

If her debut album Beloved which featured the hit song “Closer” conveyed Lara Landon’s revelation about who we are in Christ, her sophomore project, Overcome, speaks to our authority as His beloved to triumph over life’s most difficult circumstances. Landon has taken that message on tour and abroad, serving the least of these with New Reality International, the non-profit she and her sister co-founded in 2006. Meeting needs firsthand—whether it be in Haiti on a mission trip or in church singing—is a significant part of the Riverside, California-native’s ministry and has undoubtedly had a profound effect on her. But Landon affirms the depth of her songwriting was most influenced by the three years she spent singing at Nashville’s House of Prayer. “I loved the world that opened up to me at The House of Prayer,” says Landon. “I never thought I could sing and pray for hours on end. I learned how to make up Scripture songs on the spot, and I began to feel the depth that could come from using God’s Word to pray and intercede.” The songs on her new record reflect Landon’s time spent in the Word and a sensitivity to the needs and diversity of her fans.

The album has been preceded by the lead single “I See God In You” which is based on Lara’s mission trips to Haiti. Lara's main goal with her great new song "I See God In You" is to encourage people to share their stories about the people in their lives whom they see God in. This is her focus as it is something bigger than just a song. It is a movement to tell stories and to share encouragement. She has created a special webpage where you can submit the stories and photos of who you see God in. We need to remember to that "Good works done for God's sake, through Jesus Christ, mark the character of believers made holy by the Spirit of Christ" as stated by Matthew Henry. While listening to this song, I am challenged to practice "letting our light shine so that others may praise our Father in Heaven." That's how we can show God in us to others. Also, look for God in the "least of these" as Jesus tells us, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me."

This incredible five star album opens with Lara’s gorgeous acapella vocals crying out “This is me…this is me broken,  this is me facing defeat” in “Better For The Breaking,” one of several stand-out songs on this album. Guitar, piano and strings layer musically in a powerful fashion as the song builds to the emotional proclamation, “this is me finally facing, all of the pain, all of my doubt, I’ll be better for the breaking, finally I have the chance to be awakened, no I’m not afraid it’s the choice that I made to live again, I’ll be better for the breaking.” Lara wrote the song coming out of a break-up and commits to believing the truth of Romans 8:28 where God’s promise is to “work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” Amen. What I love is how Lara is singing about a broken relationship in the style of Adele’s hit song “Someone Like You,” yet as a believer she prays with confidence for God’s restoration and healing rather than expressing bitterness. “Falling” and “Defenseless” are also transparent, vulnerable and moving ballads. Lara’s breathtaking lyrics “Here I am defenseless, Abba Father, I have nothing left, only in my weakness, will I find You, find You…I’m laying down, letting go” brings me to tears as I pray along with her in “Defenseless.” I can’t recall an album starting with three ballads and that’s one of the many highlights of this “gourmet” offering of praise and worship to Jesus. These opening songs set the tone for a special worship experience.

Being a father of three young daughters, I want nothing more than for them to find their true identity in Christ. Lara is a wonderful role model for my girls as she expresses the Truth of her walk with God in the next section of songs, especially “Leah,” “The River,” “I Want You” and “I See God In You.” “Leah” expresses “One day you’ll wake up and realize you’ve arrived at a place too good to believe.” God has great plans for His followers as expressed in Jeremiah 29:11. “The River” completely captivates me and is a picture of a healing place for all relationships, from married couples to friends and family. Having been married for almost eighteen years, this song is a great reminder that God is the great Restorer and Healer. I love singing along with Lara at the top of my lungs, “take my hand, hold onto me, let’s go now, down, down, down…there’s a River, Fire Water, there’s a River, flowing over, let’s go down and let it cover all of this.” Amen. Lara co-wrote “I Want You” and “Overcome” with Dove Award winning songwriter Krissy Nordhoff (“Your Great Name”). They are both tender worship ballads and I lose it when Lara passionately sings “That day You made the sacrifice, You dressed me in the purest white, Your bride is grateful, Desperate now for You to come, establish Your Kingdom, until then I’ll be faithful,  I want You, I want You, alone” in “I Want You,” one of many times this album causes tears to flow as I worship along with Lara in Spirit and in Truth. “Overcome” is based on Revelation 12:11: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives until death.” No matter what you are going through in life, God’s promise to His children is that one day we will overcome. Amen.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Rarely has an album affected me this deeply as many of the songs cause me to physically feel the depth and sincerity of Lara’s goose bump inducing emotional vocals. Lara is clearly in love with Jesus and how these songs convey her relationship with our Lord and Savior in these songs is truly inspiring and convicting. These songs are meant to be experienced in order as they take the listener on an emotional journey from a place of confronting our humanity and weakness in “Better For The Breaking” and “Defenseless” to being encouraged by “Leah,” “The River,” “I Want You” and “I See God In You.” The end of the album is all about victory and empowerment where listeners can declare we will “Overcome” and “The Spirit of the Lord” is upon me. This is one of the most emotionally moving albums I’ve ever heard. Her remarkable singing voice and her interesting music and lyrics are truly captivating.  This is a nearly perfect album.  If you like Brooke Fraser, Adele and Sara Groves, you need to get Overcome by Lara Landon which is one of my top albums of the year.

Award-winning Canadian pop band NewWorldSon offers fans its long-awaited third national release, Rebel Transmission, on April 17. The project’s debut radio single, “Learning to Be the Light” has already cracked the top 3 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and is one of the most catchy and inspirational songs of the year. The hit song follows the success of their smash hit “There Is A Way” from their last album, NewWorldSon’s first No. 1 single. Until the song became a listener favorite, NewWorldSon had always been viewed as an industry darling but far from a commercial band. It became a turning point for the band, and they began to record songs for its project Rebel Transmission, which is an expression of its gratitude to radio. Opening song “Radio Ghost Town” is one of several extremely catchy, intelligently crafted and potential hit songs found throughout this “gourmet” offering by NewWorldSon. The opener is actually tongue in cheek with the clever play on words in the second verse, “Do you know what they’re feeding you? Mic check, I don’t mean no disrespect, but is my transmission getting through? I’m talking to you” which leads to the super-catchy chorus “this is Radio Ghost Town, Salvation plan in stereo sound, this is a rebel transmission, can anybody hear me now?” As new radio darlings, I love how they are taking it all in stride and staying true to their artistry while expressing truth.

The next two songs clearly display that truth, as “Homeless Child” is a wonderful upbeat song expressing gratitude for salvation with the chorus, “I was a homeless child before You took me in…I was a runaway but now I’m here to stay, Nothing can keep me from Your sweet salvation.”  The song features incredible horns including a saxophone and the bridge perfectly expresses freedom in Christ, “And it’s all for free, All You give to me, what a blessing just to be in Your family.” This album is loaded with that type of Truth, especially the next song, “Learning to Be the Light.” There is a great music video showing the band “letting their light shine like a City on a Hill” as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16.  The song features some of my favorite lyrics ever in the profound second verse, “when a heart is cold as ice, you can’t melt it with advice, no one wants to listen to a list of things they shouldn’t do, so I build a city on a hill, and I light a candle on the hill, knowing that You’ll always be knocking at the door, Oh God I just want to love on everyone, All I have is Yours to give so let the people come.” Yes, that’s what we’re commanded by God, and the song entertains and challenges me to think about how well I’m “learning to be the light.” It is one of my selections for Song of the Year.

“Today” was also co-written by Parisien and Tawgs Salter who are a great hit songwriting team, having also penned “There Is A Day” and “Learning to Be the Light.” “Today” is an ode to surrendering our plans to Christ on a daily basis and is yet another gem on this album. Another highlight for me is “Southern Cross.” The song is a piano based ballad with confessional and personal lyrics beautifully expressed by Parisien. His vocals are tender and engaging as he expresses “there’s a longing in my heart to be a better person, but when I play the part, no one believes a word, so it’s amazing every time I’m received with open arms, no matter what the crime.” Amen!



CLOSING THOUGHTS

With this album, NewWorldSon wanted to record something that was a little more produced, more polished, to bring out the vibrancy of its message. Without a doubt, they have succeeded on every level in my opinion. If you like “Learning to Be the Light,” then you must get Rebel Transmission.  If there’s one way to best describe this great album, “God is at the center of every single one of our songs,” lead singer and main songwriter Joel Parisien asserts. “The core message of the band is a message of hope, a message of surrender.” For sure, this album is loaded with songs that are thoughtful, catchy, artistic and meaningful. Don’t miss out on these four sons of the New World. This is a great album.

Love Come To Life is the first new album by Big Daddy Weave in over three years. Their last album What Life Would Be Like was one of my top ten albums of 2008, featuring the hit title track and “You Found Me” and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the follow-up which features the number one hit title track “Love Come To Life.” If you like that song, get this album immediately as this album has a cohesive theme based on the lyrics of that super-catchy song, “Bring Your love to life inside of me, a generation that you’re calling out, living everything that we sing about.” Amen! This new album demonstrates once again the passion and energy that have made Big Daddy Weave one of Christian music’s most compelling acts for nearly a dozen years. True to form, the project reflects real life and emotion, from longing and struggle to breakthrough and gratitude, with front man Mike Weaver’s forthright songwriting and intimate and unmistakable vocals backed by powerful arrangements and stellar musicianship. It derives its power from the fact that life and music intertwine so fully.

This band had me at “Audience of One” from their major label debut One & Only over ten years ago. Just like the debut album by Kutless, Big Daddy Weave’s sincere gospel messages and contemporary sound really hooked me as I had previously collected only secular music and after I was saved in 1999, I was excited to find great musical alternatives to the popular mainstream grunge and alternative rock bands from that time. I played saxophone all through grade school and college, so this band’s southern rock sound including a rocking saxophone part is something I’ve always enjoyed and reminds me of the bands I grew up with—Foreigner and Dave Matthews Band and current modern rock act O.A.R. One of the best first songs on any album this year is the epic opening track “Jesus Move” which includes a Brit-rock style. The song opens with a U2-like musical build up to the catchy and prayerful opening lyrics: “let the power of God fall down on us, let Your power fall down right now…let the Sprit of God pour out on us, let Your Spirit pour right now, For Your Glory, and You only, what You say is what we do, let Your passion become action, Holy Spirit come and move, cause Jesus we’re alive to glorify Your Name, so let Your Spirit rise among us now as we sing…Jesus Move!!”  No matter your musical preference if you love Jesus, I guarantee you’ll love this song. The band follows up that incredible opening track with “Magnificent God” which includes gang vocals and more powerful, prayerful and vertical lyrics: “We lift our eyes to You, our hope is found in You, You are glorious, almighty, infinite and holy, gracious, full of mercy…Magnificent God, our hearts are full of wonder, Magnificent God, we bow before all You are.” Amen! This band can really write a hooky and Truth-filled chorus, and these opening tracks including next song “Love Come To Life” are all catchy, relevant and worshipful like their previous hit songs “What Life Would Be Like” and “Every Time I Breathe.”

“Love Come To Life” and “Stay” each include the lyrics “why don’t You break my heart” and “break my heart for what breaks Yours” originally made popular by Hillsong UNITED’s “Hosanna” and can now be found in many popular songs including “My Own Little World” by Matthew West and “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns. If I have one criticism of popular songs in contemporary Christian music, it is the repeated use of meaningful phrases that could lose some of their impact if they are over-used. That being said, a stand-out track is the incredible song “If You Died Tonight,” which stops me in my tracks. It is a tender ballad with a straightforward salvation message: “If you died tonight, where would you be, where would your soul spend eternity, Jesus gave His life, if you just believe, it changes everything, if you died tonight.” Thank you for including such a bold song on your album. It takes until tracks ten and eleven, but my other favorite section of the album is “Maker Of The Wind” and “Give My Life Away” which both feature that classic Big Daddy Weave southern rock sound including a saxophone part. Both songs will get you fired up in the style of their hit songs “You Found Me” and “In Christ.” “Overwhelmed” poignantly ends the album with another prayer-song where Mike passionately sings “God I run into Your arms, unashamed because of mercy, I’m overwhelmed by You.” It is a worship ballad similar to “Completely Free” and is a wonderful bookend to this very solid album.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

After repeated listens, the sincere and poignant lyrics, musical excellence and Mike Weaver’s compelling vocals make Love Come To Life my new top album by this great band surpassing all of their previous excellent albums. There are several potential hit songs including the opening tracks “Jesus Move,” “Magnificent God,” and “Love Come To Life.” The middle of the album is anchored down by the powerful and moving song “If You Died Tonight.” Similar to previous offerings, they end the album with some incredible musical moments, especially in the closing tracks “Maker Of The Wind,” “Give My Life Away” and “Overwhelmed.”  If you’ve always liked this band, then you’ll absolutely want to get Love Come To Life by Big Daddy Weave.

The album continues in prayer and hopefulness with “A Small Voice” as Holly prays: “I need You to protect me from the ones who came to rob me of my innocence, my confidence, my self-respect…come rescue me, from all I’ve seen, I’m hurt and bleeding, I need You, I need You, I need You…”  A Brit-Rock musical style arrives for “Where’d You Go,” and the singles “Watch Over Me” and “Learning To Love” which completely fits as the second half of the album has songs that reflect the transforming healing process from “heartache to hope.” “Watch Over Me” has a very entertaining music video portraying the lyrics of the song, “come next to me my dear, whoever thought I’d fall in love with an angel, whoever thought I’d fall in love…when you’re here I know, I am loved it shows, God sent you to watch over me, I am loved tonight, that you hold me tight, I need you to watch over me.” The catchy beat and engaging lyrics has made it one of my favorite songs of the year. In yet another vulnerable moment, Holly continues her desire for transformation in “Learning To Love” with the hopeful lyrics, “we’re all learning to love, we’re leaving it all behind to free our minds, to seek and find, we’re learning to love.” In Christ, we can all learn to love one another and receive love in return. I really enjoy how this album tells the story of redemption as each song gives a glimpse of how Holly moves from “Heartache to Hope.”

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Heartache to Hope by Holly Spears tells the story of a hopeful small town girl with big city dreams and an even bigger heart. "My dream for this album is to reach the deep, deep wounds in the hearts of everyone who hears it," says Spears. "I hope to connect with people through the pain I have experienced in my own life, only to help them see the hope I have found on the other side. From Heartache to Hope, I have been through a lot in my life, just like everyone else in the world. My goal is to help others find truth in the fact that no matter what they've gone through or what their situation is, there is always hope and they are never alone." If you are looking for the words to express your feelings to God in times of hurting and pain, these songs are a wonderful companion. The stand-out songs “Identity,” “Hard To Carry,” “A Small Voice,” “Where’d You Go,” “Watch Over Me” and “Learning To Love” are the most transparent, vulnerable and authentic songs I’ve heard in quite a while. If you like folk-style “gourmet” singer-songwriters JJ Heller, Sara Groves and Audrey Assad, you need to check out Holly Spears.

“For Your Splendor” and “Into The Glorious” are absolutely incredible and personal prayers flawlessly delivered by Christy’s sweet and sincere vocals. I’m emotionally moved by the chorus of “For Your Splendor,” as it addresses my heart’s cry to be found in Christ: “With my roots deep in You, though I’m small I’ll still be standing in the storm, and I’ll grow up strong and beautiful all for Your splendor Lord.” The anthemic title track is a surefire hit song with another prayerful refrain reminding me of Brooke Fraser’s brilliant and gorgeous song “Shadowfeet,” both in music and message. I hang on every note as Christy belts out her “heart’s cry” to God—“Out from the ordinary, into the extraordinary…I can hear You calling and inviting me into the glorious.”

The stunning studio version of “Waiting Here For You” is next. It was one of my favorite songs from last year and I can't get enough of Christy's sincere and powerful vocals. It reminds me of her classic Watermark songs, "Gloria", "My Heart, Your Home" and "Holy"--as well as her previous Passion recordings, "Hosanna" and "Healing Is In Your Hands," which is also on this album. Like those songs, "Waiting Here For You" also gives me chills. I could hardly imagine Christy could out-sing herself after "Healing Is In Your Hands," but don't miss this amazing song. You'll be mesmerized by the power and beauty of the lyrics and Christy's incredible vocals. The same goes for her studio versions of her brand new songs “How I Love You” and my new favorite worship anthem “Sing Along” also featured on the most recent Passion: White Flag recording.

Sidewalk Prophets initially made a name for themselves at Indiana’s Anderson University where front men and main songwriters Dave Frey and Ben McDonald met. Integrating worship with real life - that is one of the simple truths Sidewalk Prophets has learned to live by. Dave Frey explains: “The name ‘Sidewalk Prophets’ even means that we are common people speaking the truth about life from our perspective as followers of Christ.” They have made an impressive debut on the CCM scene, winning New Artist of the Year in 2010, and garnering multiple Dove Award nominations for Group and Song of the Year. Their debut album These Simple Truths delivered the smash No. 1 singles “You Love Me Anyway” and “The Words I Would Say.”

Their sophomore album Live Like That releases March 27, 2012 and their lead single and title track is already a hit song and plays a strong part in the overall messaging from the band. With the help of their fans, the album cover encompasses the faces and hearts of people all over the country who have inspired someone to “live like that.” After a brief instrumental intro entitled “Hebrews 12:1,” the piano-based ballad, “Live Like That” opens this very solid album with one of the best songs of the year. If you liked their debut album, you’ll want to pick up this album immediately as it picks up where These Simple Truths left off and takes it up a notch musically. Although there were some tendencies towards a pop country sound like Rascal Flatts on the first album, this album has more of a rock worship sound like MercyMe and Newsboys. Not bad company. “Live Like That” sums up the theme of this great band’s mission which is to reflect Christ in their songs and actions and is a wonderful worship anthem with some Brit-rock guitar work layered throughout, flawlessly produced by Dove Award winning producer Ian Eskelin. “Love Love Love” displays the fun side of this band well as the song features relatable and somewhat unorthodox lyrical references to Love: “it even broke through the dark side of Darth Vader” and “even Chuck Norris can’t defeat it.”

Biblical Truth is woven throughout the remaining standout songs, “Save My Life,” “Keep Making Me,” “It’s Good (Love’s Not Safe),” “Wrecking Ball” and closing ballad “This Is Not Goodbye.” All of these great songs are radio-friendly and potential hits for this great band and are sprinkled throughout the album creating a very enjoyable listening experience. “Keep Making Me” is a piano based ballad in the style of “You Can Have Me” and is my favorite track on the album. The song features Dave’s personal, vertical and honest lyrics being lifted up as a prayer opening with “make me broken, so I can be healed, ‘cause I’m so calloused, and now I can’t feel, I want to run to You, with heart wide open, make me broken.” The stirring chorus has already become a staple in my time of personal devotions to God—“’til You are my One desire, ‘til You are my One true Love, ‘til You are my breath, my Everything, Lord please keep making me.” Amen to that! “It’s Good (Love’s Not Safe)” seems to be inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis depicting Aslan (God) in the song as described in the book and movie—“He’s not safe, but He’s good.” “Wrecking Ball” is a great upbeat rocker in the style of “Just Might Change Your Life” featuring more vulnerable and personal lyrics, “Father, Father, I need to rip out this old tree, Father, Father, the roots of lust and greed, have grown so deep into this ground, I’ve tried so hard to pull them out, on my own, they take the best of me…I need a wrecking ball slamming inside my heart, breaking me all apart…take it all..let me fall into Your hands..where mercy lives, where grace begins.” Amen! Closing ballad “This Is Not Goodbye” is a love letter from God encouraging listeners that “this is not goodbye, I know we’ll meet again, so let your life begin…it’s just I love you, to take with you until you’re home again.” As believers we need to remember that this world is not our home. Like the Grammy Award winning “Blessings” by Laura Story, this song beautifully depicts that we weren’t made for this world, but during our short life spans, God has a plan for each of us “until we’re home again.” The song is a great bookend to the opener “Live Like That” and the album is loaded with that type of profound Truth.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Just like their debut album These Simple Truths delivered the smash No. 1 singles “You Love Me Anyway” and “The Words I Would Say,” I expect similar results for Sidewalk Prophets’ sophomore album Live Like That. The album is chock full of potential radio singles and every song is completely captivating. The surefire hit songs are “Live Like That,” “Save My Life,” “Keep Making Me,” “It’s Good (Love’s Not Safe),” “Wrecking Ball” and closing ballad “This Is Not Goodbye.” Dave Frey says, “This album is a reflection of our journey in music and our desire to live our lives in such a way that it is rooted in a deep passion and love that knows no bounds.” The message of committing to extravagant selflessness and faithful optimism threads its way through every song and Live Like That is on par with the excellent The Generous Mr. Lovewell by MercyMe, both in music and message.

Britt's favorite Scripture passage is 1 Chronicles 28:20 which she says reminds her daily of God's calling on her life. Hit song “All This Time” is next and has a sincere autobiographical style where Britt shares her testimony of when she was first met God and celebrates her salvation in Christ. It’s the type of song that I've come to really love from Britt's albums in the style of "Set The World On Fire." It is a great song and Britt seems poised to pick up where she left off with The Lost Get Found, with a great mix of different styles, heating up and cooling down with every song a great showcase of Britt's excellent singing voice. “Look Like Love” is a wonderful song of encouragement to live as a light and know that in Christ we can do anything. God will never fail us or forsake us until the work of the Lord is finished. Britt belts out the awesome chorus, “I want to look like Love, be more than just enough for the hearts that are broken, coming undone, It’s up to you and me to leave a legacy, if we’re all they ever see, I want to look like Love.” Britt has the gift of encouragement and every single song lifts me up. “Ready Or Not” features a guest vocal by Lecrae. The message is uplifting and mission-minded including the lyrics, “giving everything to see the lost get found” leading to the chorus—“Ready or not here I come,  I’m about to show you where the Light comes from.”

“Breakthrough” has a contemplative feel to open the song leading to an explosive chorus and some musical programming which will have you hanging on every note as Britt builds to the lyric, “I can feel a breakthrough coming.” The encouragement continues with the gorgeous ballad “The Sun Is Rising” which proclaims “you’re gonna make it, the night can only last for so long, whatever you’re facing, if your heart is breaking, there’s a promise for just the ones who hold on, lift up your eyes and see, the sun is rising.” The song that really grabs your attention is the super-hooky dance song, “Amazing Life” which rivals any hit song in the mainstream pop scene yet includes celebratory and positive lyrics instead of destructive and sensual themes. One of my favorite songs on the album is “Still That Girl.” As my daughters’ grow up, I love our relationships’ built on the understanding that God has great plans for them according to Jeremiah 29:11. Whatever happens in their lives they’ll always be my little girls. Just like “Have Your Way,” I can hear Britt’s vocals break as she sings this emotionally charged song, along with the beautiful closing ballad, “Seeing For The First Time.”

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Britt Nicole’s songs “Walk On The Water” and “Set The World On Fire” have been featured in television shows and movies and with Gold she is poised to “Breakthrough” as the premier female artist in all of Christian music. She has an infectious and upbeat musical style, layering her strong and distinguished vocals over the top of one hooky melody after another. Britt Nicole has really emerged as one of the top female vocalists in any genre and she is a great role model for girls struggling with identity issues. This album is loaded with positive grace-filled messages of hope. The upbeat and heavily produced musical arrangements on this album perfectly accentuate Britt's powerful and passionate songs. Don’t miss out on one of the most upbeat and fun albums of the year. You’ll won’t be able to help but dance and sing along with the stand-out songs, “Gold,” “All This Time,” “Look Like Love,” “Ready Or Not,” “Breakthrough,” “The Sun Is Rising,” “Amazing Life” and “Still That Girl.” Along with Heart by Audrey Assad this is my top album by a female artist and one of my top overall albums of the year. If you liked The Lost Get Found, then you'll love Gold by Britt Nicole.