John Waller [As For Me And My House] | Posted April-26-2011
From his early days leading the critically acclaimed band According to John to his impactful ministry as a solo artist, John Waller has continually used his gifts as a singer and songwriter to inspire, educate and encourage the body of Christ. With such powerful songs as “The Blessing” and “While I’m Waiting,”from the motion picture "Fireproof," Waller is back with a brand new collection of Scripture-based songs and declaration-style anthems designed to inspire listeners to fight the good fight of faith. Waller articulates what it means to live a God-centered life in a turbulent world. As For Me and My House is a potent collection of songs buoyed by Waller’s insightful songwriting and compelling voice. “The title track is, to me, the heart of this record,” Waller says of “As For Me and My House,” which joyfully declares “we belong to the Lord, and we will not give our hearts to another.” For sure, the title track, based on Joshua 24:15 is one of the stand-out songs of the year and as a husband and father of three young daughters, I have personally signed the Joshua 24:15 declaration on John’s website:http://johnwallermusic.com.
The album opens with the anthemic “Our God Reigns Here,” a song Waller felt strongly about revisiting from the his previous album, which is direct spiritual warfare. “Yes” is a sonically vibrant song that reverberates with the truth of God’s goodness and positive touch on our lives. “Because God is Good” is a celebration of the Lord’s grace and sovereignty. “Every believer that I know can relate to the fact that life doesn’t go the way we plan it all the time,” Waller says, “but the Bible promises all things work for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Things have not gone the way I thought they would go, but God has always been good to me. It’s because God is good that sometimes life doesn’t go the way we want it to go. It’s because of His goodness that He spares us from going the way we think things should.” Waiting on the Lord has been a theme in all of John’s albums. His faithfulness and commitment to write and sing songs based on his personal experiences makes him one of the most relatable artists I’ve ever heard.
“Man of the Valley” is a poignant song about the challenges that help us grow. Among the album’s many highlights is “The Marriage Prayer,” a beautiful duet featuring John’s wife Josee. “She’s always sang with me and when we lived in Colorado, she was on my worship team. She’s done backup vocals on my records, but this is her debut singing her own,” Waller says of the song. “Somebody Else’s Story” is a tender prayer that captures Waller’s heart for sharing Jesus with others as he sings “I want to be a part. I want to be a part of somebody else’s story, somebody else’s story of redemption. I want to be the one to shine the light of Jesus into their darkness. Lead me to that someone I pray. Lord I want to bring You glory.”
The messages of the album are all extremely biblical and uplifting. Every song seems to have lyrics that come straight from The Bible. For example, “Count It All” is based on Philippians 3:8: “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowingChrist Jesus my Lord.” That type of Biblical Truth is throughout the album, especially in songs like “As For Me And My House,” Yes” and the worshipful closing song “Bless Us And Keep Us.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This is a great adult contemporary worship album. If you like Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns and MercyMe, then you should really enjoy John Waller. If you like the song “While I’m Waiting,” then you’re in for a real treat with the entire album. Musically, I feel that the album is a slight step up, in particular with the songs “Our God Reigns Here,” “Yes,” “Because God Is Good,” and “The Marriage Prayer” which are my other favorite songs on the album in addition to the title track, which is an amazing song. As For Me And My House will have you singing along in praise to our Savior!
Tim Hughes [Love Shine Through] | Posted April-12-2011
GMA Song of the Year Dove Award winning artist Tim Hughes releases his fourth, full-length studio album, Love Shine Through, on April 19th. Writer of “Here I Am To Worship,” “Beautiful One,” “Happy Day,” “Jesus Saves,” and many more modern worship anthems sung by tens of millions every week in worship services around the world, Hughes returns to the recording studio after a four-year hiatus. The album follows his acclaimed studio album Holding Nothing Back (2007) and live DVD/CD Happy Day (2009). The album starts with an epic song and the first single from the new album, “Counting On Your Name,” which is one of my top songs of the year. The musical build and sincere vocals reminds me of the worship classic “From The Inside Out” by Hillsong UNITED. “The song captures so much of what faith comes down to; that we’re nothing without God. We try to rely on so many things - finances, health, friendship, love, sex, happiness, whatever - but none of these physical things are eternal. Only God is the one we can really depend on…I hope the song captures a sense of desperation, a rawness, a sense of it being all or nothing,” says Hughes.
“God Is Coming” really excites me as a worshipper and musically is one of my favorites on this great album, the most complete album by Hughes in my opinion. I would love to sing this song with fellow believers as the song has great energy and reminds me of “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble” by Delirious? as Tim declares, “For my God is coming, We can hear the heavens roar, come on get ready for the glory of the Lord, Here You come, running to find me, King of the universe, Yes our God is a God Who saves.” Tim is truly a gifted songwriter similar to fellow British worship artist Martin Smith from Delirious? who co-wrote some songs with Tim and produced this album, which brings a Delirious?-feel to the album. Stu G. from Delirious? co-wrote the stand-out song “Wake Up.”
“Love Shine Through” is a great worship anthem and a surefire hit song. It has a synth-rock musical feel and one of the catchiest lyrical hooks I’ve ever heard. The chorus has Tim belting out, “Christ within me shine, Here I stand, Everything is Yours Lord, All I am, humbled by Your Love, Take Your place, Jesus be the center, I’m nothing without You.” Tim is an incredible lyricist, and he’s one of the premier worship song-writers of the past decade in my opinion along with Matt Redman.Another highlight is the closing bonus track, “At Your Name,” produced by Nathan Nockels. For me, the stand-out songs that you’ll want to start singing at your church are “Counting On Your Name,” “God Is Coming,” “Love Shine Through,” “Wake Up” and “At Your Name.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
As the writer and singer of all-time classic worship songs “Here I Am To Worship,” “Beautiful One,” “Happy Day” and “Jesus Saves,” I’ve been singing Tim’s songs for many years and have always found his albums to be worshipful and uplifting. Love Shine Throughis chock-full of several great new worship anthems sure to be added to church worship services in the near future. If you like Hillsong, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin and Delirious?, then you’ll want to pick up Love Shine Through by Tim Hughes. This is one of the top worship albums of the year and the best overall album by Tim Hughes.
FM Static [My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go!] | Posted April-08-2011
What's the difference between FM Static and Thousand Foot Krutch? Singer-songwriter Trevor McNevan and drummer Steve Augustine lead both bands, but the former is a side project to the latter. More than anything, having two names makes it easier to take some fun creative chances. This album is totally creative and so incredibly catchy, it reminds me of some of the best punk rock impact albums of the past 10 years, including Weezer's Green Album, Relient K's Forget And Not Slow Down and All That We Needed by Plain White T's.
My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go! kicks off with the ultra-catchy title track and in true FM Static fashion, I can’t get their infectious melodies out of my head which is a good thing. Just like opening songs on Dear Diary, “Boy Moves To Town With An Optimistic Outlook” and "The Unavoidable Battle of Feeling on the Outside," I play the first two songs over and over, especially the next song, “F.M.S.T.A.T.I.C.” which has a cheerleader led spelling of the band’s name and even more hooky and spiritually based lyrics, “Just let go, If you wanna let go, Stop holdin’ on, To what you used to be, ‘Cause yesterday’s are no use to me.” This album isn’t quite as faith-based sounding as the last album, but knowing the past work of Trevor McNevan really helps listeners interpret his optimistic worldview based on his saving faith in Jesus. I also hear Weezer’s punk-rock musical influence on the song, “(Hey) I Want It,” which is another fun “party” song.
The best examples of FM Static’s faith-based lyrics are in my two favorite songs on the album, “Lost In You” and “Last Train Home.” I really love the second verse of “Lost In You,” where Trevor passionately sings to God, “You light up my sky, Just like a firefly, Your words are more than just, A passing breath, I want to feel alive, I need You in my life, You’re like a photograph, Never changing.” Musically the song is super catchy similar to “Shattered” by O.A.R. but with a faith-based perspective on life. The themes get a little deeper with the next set of songs, with “Cinnamon & Lipstick” including the reflecting on past and future with the challenge in the bridge, “We can still change the world, If we believe.” That theme continues with “Black Tattoo,” which has some of the deepest and most relevant lyrics especially in the chorus, “I don’t wanna care, About what everyone says, I don’t wanna live inside, A past that’s dead, I wanna touch down, Where miracles live, And show it like a black tattoo.” Similar to “Take Me As I Am” from Dear Diary, my favorite song on this album is first single “Last Train Home.” A real strength of FM Static’s songs for me are the strong messages imbedded in “fun” songs. A great example is the challenge to all believers in the bridge of “Last Train Home,” “I stopped lyin’ when I believed myself, ‘Cause I’d stop tryin’ if there was no way out, Faith is just the other end of doubt, Your truth is gonna make it alright.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This new FM Static album, My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go! picks ups where Dear Diaryleft off and takes it up a notch in my opinion. Although this is a surefire hit for the younger audience, I highly recommend FM Static for all fans of the punk rock genre, like myself. Trevor's songwriting and singing is top notch and for me, this is my new Pinkerton by Weezer, which was the soundtrack album of my twenties when I wasn't saved. I love that Christian themed punk rock can sound this amazing!
There’s no denying some of the blessings in Laura Story’s life. She wrote the No. 1 worship hit “Indescribable” recorded in 2004 by Chris Tomlin, married a handsome athlete named Martin Elvington the next year, and began working in music and women’s ministry at the 4,000-member Perimeter Church in Atlanta. After signing an artist deal with the INO Records, her 2008 national debut Great God Who Saves won a Dove Award for Inspirational Album and earned Laura two consecutive nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year—all blessings, indeed. But amidst that success a brain tumor hospitalized her husband in 2006. The faith Story sang about was put through the unexpected fires of fear and loneliness; most young newlyweds don’t imagine being kept alive at one point by breathing machines or having to find their way through significant post-operative vision and memory loss. Could grace notes resound from such a life-altering struggle? Laura’s incisive new album, Blessings, suggests they do.
Laura has quickly become one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters. Her songs are all catchy, uplifting and filled with biblical truth. Opening songs “This Is The Day” and “Friend Of Sinners” perfectly display all of those traits. From the truth of “this is the day of our salvation,” to “friend of sinners, our Deliverer, Jesus Savior of the world, sent from Heaven, King of Glory, You’re the Servant of us all,” every single lyric of every song is dedicated as an offering to our King and Savior Jesus. This is the perfect album to focus your heart and mind on Jesus as we prepare for Easter. Musically, the orchestral, piano, and guitar arrangements are all catchy and uplifting and church worship leaders could literally add every song to their set lists. “You Are Love” and “What A Savior” are amazing congregational songs, with very sing-able vertical lyrics. In “You Are Love,” Laura passionately sings, “Everlasting, Never-ending, All Consuming, You Are Love, Oh God of the Heavens, You have ascended from Your throne…by this all men will know.” In “What A Savior,” my favorite part of the song is the bridge, “You are the way the truth and the life, You are my joy and salvation, Stood in my place taking my shame.” Those words are a great reminder that we don’t have to stand in shame anymore before the Lord. The sins that we have committed in the past, present and future have all been taken away by Jesus. Jesus bore all of that shame on the cross and gives us cause to celebrate “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
The stand-out song of the album and surefire GMA Dove Award nominee for song of the year is Blessings’ breathtaking title track and first single which has already topped the Christian charts.“Blessings” has some of the best lyrics I’ve ever heard in any song. I can’t get enough of Laura’s transparency and confessional challenges to all of us as believers in this incredible song. I am wrecked by the lyrics, “What if my greatest disappointments, Or the aching of this life, Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy.” Something Laura and I discussed was that as believers we need to remember that this world is not our home. We have a much bigger agenda, and the security of everlasting life as promised by our Savior Jesus. As this song so beautifully depicts, we weren’t made for this world.
The album is chock full of potential radio singles and every song is completely captivating. “Your Name Will Be Praised” has yet another worshipful bridge, “For Who You are, for what You’ve done, for what You’ve yet to do…All glory to You!” Ballads are certainly one of Laura’s strengths as after dabbing my eyes and getting goose bumps constantly during “Blessings,” two other stand-out songs are featured in the second half of the album, “One Life To Lose” and “Prodigal Song.” “One Life To Lose” is another probable hit song with Laura’s gorgeous and passionate proclamation, “For there’s One Lord Who leads, I have learned when I am lost, it’s there that I am found.” “Prodigal Song” keeps the tears flowing as Laura sings a story-song about “Henry” where Laura sings ”his father waits, and He is watching, and He is hoping, His eyes are weary, His arms are open, His prayer, so softly spoken, please come home…to your seat at the table, to your Father who weeps.” The song even has a “Cats In The Cradle” moment where Henry changes from the prodigal son to the father. Laura’s brilliant songwriting and engaging singing voice makes this one of those albums that you can literally listen to daily for encouragement and times of prayer and reflection. Closing songs “Remember” and “Faithful God” are both great worship songs for the Church similar to “Bless The Lord” and “Perfect Peace” from Great God Who Saves.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
With Great God Who Saves winning a GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Album and earning Laura two consecutive nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year, Blessings completely solidifies Laura as the premier singer-songwriter in the Inspirational genre. I fully expect Laura and her stellar album to be nominated for multiple awards including album, female vocalist, artist and song of the year. Don’t miss out on one of the best albums of the year!
Abandon Kansas [Ad Astra Per Aspera] | Posted March-22-2011
Lead singer Jeremy Spring, guitarist Brad Foster, bassist Chet Keuffer and drummer Brian Scheiderman make up the band Abandon Kansas.Ad Astra Per Asperais the band’s first official retail release, and is a rite of passage for a band that has demonstrated over the past half-decade that they are more than prepared to lay claim to their own territory among the industry elites. Front man Jeremy Spring explains: “Ad Astra Per Aspera is Latin meaning ‘to the stars through difficulty.’ The title is the Kansas state motto, and the concept for our new record. Nearly all of the songs refer to heaven, the sky, flight, the stars, and the challenges along the journey...”
Noteworthy tracks include the first single and album opener, “Heaven Come My Way,” which is one of my favorite songs of the year. I can’t get enough of the guitar part and ethereal style of the song. That same hooky musical style is also featured in stand-out songs “Liar,” “The Golden State,” and “Like It Or Not.” Lyrically, these songs are the templates for a culture that is battling through challenging circumstances. For example, on “Heaven Come My Way,” Spring’s vocals lay claim to bright futures as he croons, “I’ve always aimed higher; don’t let me off the hook. We wrote a chapter, haven’t finished the book.” I purchased the The Golden State EP when it released which also included the incredible music video of “The Golden State.” The song includes the creative metaphor, “California is burning like a cigarette…the whole world watching to see what they will do…they ignored all the warnings, but so did you.” I can’t get enough of the song and music video as it challenges listeners to not be “plastic.”
In “Where Else Can We Go?” Jeremy speaks into the problem of pain: “If pain produces harmony, we all have a note. If God conducts the symphony, no one sings alone.” These are not your typical melodies and lyrics, and most of the songs really make you think while you listen to them. I’m truly impressed by several catchy and well-crafted songs, and another highlight for me is closing track, “Give And Take,” which features stellar harmony vocals by Stephanie Smith and the introspective and imploring chorus, “Am I more than the sum of the things I’ve done and haven’t done?” The lyrical vulnerability of “Give And Take” really displays the artistic style of this very solid album.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Musically and lyrically, this is certainly one of the most engaging albums of the year. There is nothing cliché at all about this album and band. If you are looking for a band with songs that stir your soul like GRAMMY winning bands Arcade Fire and Switchfoot, then you’ll absolutely want to check out Abandon Kansas.
Brenton Brown [Our God Is Near] | Posted March-16-2011
Brenton Brown, one of the most gifted of worship leaders and writers at work today returns March 22, 2011 with a new album full of standout songs, Our God Is Near. From the writer of “Adoration” and “Everlasting God” comes a stunning brand new album that will strengthen and inspire the church the world over. Our God Is Nearfeatures new worship songs “Our God Is Mercy,” “Joyful,” “Glorious” and “We Lift You Up.” The first single released from the highly anticipated album is “Joyful.” I have loved the hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” based on Beethoven’s 9th symphony since I was a young child. Recently Casting Crowns also recorded a re-write of the classic hymn “Joyful, Joyful.” Brenton Brown’s great new recording of this hymn of the faith “Joyful” is a wonderful way to lift up your voice in praise and adoration of our Savior. He came to earth to teach us how to be more like Him and to die for our sins to save us. Share the love of Jesus with your unsaved friends and family members and tell them the reason for the “hope and joy” in your heart, Jesus!
The album features the great worship anthem co-written with Paul Baloche, “Glorious,”which also appeared on Baloche’s last album. Brown and Baloche have been a prolific songwriting team having also co-written the church standards, “Because Of Your Love,” “Hosanna (Praise Is Rising),” and “Our God Saves.” “His Name”grabbed me right away with Brenton’s imploring and confessional declaration, “Who is this King of Glory?...His Name is Wonderful, His Name is Counselor, His Name is Prince of Peace, The Living Word, His Name is Mighty God, Eternal Father, His Name is Jesus, His Name is Lord!”
For me, the highlights of this extremely solid album are the last three songs, including my two favorite songs, “Higher” and “Good News.” Musically, both songs really get me excited to worship along with Brenton. “Higher” has a great upbeat chorus that declares, “You are Higher, You Are Higher, The Beginning, and The Ending, Everlasting, Neverending, Jesus we are held in Your Hands. “Good News” has a classic U2-like musical style and is the best re-write of John 3:16 I’ve ever heard. “All For You” ends the album with a beautiful and personal ballad, and Brenton tenderly sings to our triune God, “Jesus this is all for You, Father this is all for You, How Your children love to bless Your Heart…Spirit this is all for You…How we long to magnify our God…It’s all for You, It’s all for You Lord.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Don’t miss any of these great new songs. Brenton’s best overall work is this excellent new album Our God Is Near. Brenton’s strength is the strong biblical truth of his songs, and he prays and calls upon our King Jesus in every single song. There is absolutely no doubt Who these songs are about. Brenton enthusiastically sings Brit-rock style praise and worship and every single song could be added to your Sunday morning worship set.
Known for her unusually poignant, poetic and honest songwriting, Christa Wells is finding her place as an independent performing artist. Christa has written with numerous Nashville artists and had songs cut by artists such as Plumb, Point of Grace, and Natalie Grant. Her songs have been hit singles, including most notably "Held" recorded by Natalie Grant, which received airplay in both Christian and mainstream markets and earned her the GMA "Songwriter of the Year" award in 2006. Christa brings even more authenticity to her lyrics byway of delivering them in her own strong, soothing voice, likened to that of Sarah McLachlan and Sara Groves.
How Emptiness Sings is a 7-track EP with all new original songs, and it is my top album of 2011. Note by note, word by word, each song unfolds like a mirror allowing the listener to see himself in places and circumstances he was previously blind to. She is, at the core, a believer in a relational God, and her songs echo that intimacy. As a listener to Christa’s music, one feels this kind of acceptance. Yet, the honesty of her lyrics refuses to coddle. they point upward and onward, away from self to a God who is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-worthy of praise.
Rather than address the themes of each song, let me just say this is one of the most captivating albums I’ve ever heard. Christa has a vocal sincerity and creativity that rivals Brooke Fraser, Audrey Assad, JJ Heller and Sara Groves, who are my top female vocalists of all-time. Some of the stand-out moments of the album include “Everything Moves But You,” where Christa brilliantly sings the biblical truth, “All the things I pursue, Well, they stay for a season, Then everything moves, Everything moves, oh, My towers fall, But You aren’t leaving me, ‘Cause everything moves but You.” I am a believer and my testimony is that my love for music led me to Jesus Christ due to the Gospel messages of Christian music. This is a great album for your unsaved family and friends. Another highlight is the poignant bridge of “Kingdom Coming,” where Christa confesses, “We are not free if we can’t give freely, If we live to have, we don’t have anything, Oh my heart, it’s good to bleed.” For me, the standout experience of this stellar album is hanging on every note of the gorgeous title track, “How Emptiness Sings.” Christa beautifully phrases our worshipful response as followers of Jesus, “Glory to God, Glory to God! In fullness of wisdom, He writes my story into His song, My life for the glory of God.” Her vocals are so amazing and the lyrics are so transparent and engaging, the song is my choice for song of the year.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I am so captivated by this album, I have to give it 5 stars and every song is incredible. I only wish there were a few more songs, it’s that good. If you like Sara Groves, Audrey Assad, Brooke Fraser, JJ Heller and Sarah McLachlan, then you must get How Emptiness Sings by Christa Wells. For sure, this is the ultimate “gourmet” release of 2011. Do yourself a favor and buy this album immediately.
Gordon Gregory [Between Redemption & The Pain] | Posted March-04-2011
Having grown up in South Africa, Gordon Gregory has a unique outlook on life, and it shows in his songwriting. Never willing to settle for clichés, both lyrically and musically, his fresh brand of Christian indie pop brings 13 years experience as both a pianist and guitarist. He honestly opens his heart in each song as an invitation to the listener to do the same, welcoming them to wrestle through the realities of life, faith and art in a way that is unapologetically authentic. His debut album, Between Redemption And The Pain, is an overflow of this authenticity. With Psalm-like candidness, Gordon cries out to God to be real and relevant in the midst of life's messier situations, to reveal His grace in times of failure and to bring redemption to life's most hopeless moments. It is this theme of hopeful redemption that permeates the album, as it does the heart of God, and will be an encouragement to any person honest enough to admit that they don't have it all together.
I have had the privilege to meet and worship with Gordon and he truly has a passion for praising our God. Right from the opening song “God Of The Broken,” Gordon brings uplifting reverence and joy of worship to our King. I really like the song and find myself frequently singing the opening line “Come as you are, come bring your scars, to the heart of our Savior and hear Him say, they’re washed away, your yesterdays, your failures.” The song has a great melody and I could imagine singing it with fellow believers, especially the worshipful chorus, “You are the God of the broken, You gave Your life for our weak and wounded souls, You died while we were still sinners, so we bring our hearts, bruised and broken…It’s here in our brokenness that we can see You are the God of the broken.” I love the biblical truth of the song and Gordon’s sincere vocal style.Some other standout songs for me are Gordon’s original songs “Wrestling Angels,” “Redemption Song,” “Phoenix” and “Leaving.”
Kyle Whipple plays a great harmonica part on “Wrestling Angels” and sings harmony on "God of the Broken." Gordon’s wife Bekah sings all the female backing vocals. Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style and the lone “rock” song "Leaving" is recorded with an upbeat driving rock musical style and is my favorite song on the album. “Leaving” has a great list of items Gordon is leaving…”the sacred and the crass… the judgment and debate, the guilt that feeds the game, this Christianity for the Jesus that sets the captives free.” The album ends like it starts, with some solid mid-tempo piano-based original songs "Not Home" and "Unfinished." Many of the songs remind me of contemplative worship songs like “Give Me Jesus” by Fernando Ortega and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I really like Gordon’s singing voice as it is very soothing and his album is great for meditative times of worship. I’ve listened to this album while commuting and this album will calm you down in stressful situations. I really enjoy the vibe of this album and the melodies and lyrics are all solid and biblical. Fans of Fernando Ortega, Steven Curtis Chapman and Chris Tomlin should enjoy this solid worship album.
Tenth Avenue North [Inside & In Between] | Posted March-01-2011
In the three years since its national label debut with Over And Underneath, Tenth Avenue North has become a radio fixture with several hit songs, “Love Is Here,” “By Your Side,” “Hold My Heart,” “Healing Begins” and has won back to back Dove Awards for New Artist of the year and Song of the year. Tenth Avenue North’s sophomore project, The Light Meets the Dark, is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. It appears that the success of the band has allowed them to creatively express themselves and for me that has really paid off with an improved second album. The album’s themes are brokenness, healing and mercy.
Inside & In Between is a live concert recording which opens with “Love Is Here,“ one of my favorite songs of the past few years. I can't get enough of the sincere and catchy chorus "Love is here, Love is now, Love is pouring from His hands, From His brow, Love is near, It satisfies, Streams of mercy flowing from His side, Cause love is here". The song is moving and biblical. “Strong Enough To Save,” “Hold My Heart” and “You Are More” kept me hooked lyrically as Mike’s vocals are very engaging and I am able to relate to every theme. Mike’s ability to engage the crowd as a front-man is remarkable and he makes me smile just listening to his sincere and emotional comments. Mike witnesses with personal testimony and biblical truth and that is one of the highlights of the album along with great new live recordings of their biggest hit songs.
“Healing Begins” encapsulates the theme of the last album. It’s where the title of the record comes from. It’s basically about confession -- confessing your sins to one another that you might be healed, which is a scary thing to do. You can believe in God and love God, but confessing the things that you keep secret and hold on to -- that keep you tied to your past and weigh you down --confessing those things is not easy. The show closes with 2010 Song of the Year “By Your Side,” which is written as though being sweetly sung by Jesus. Lead singer Mike Donehey says: "By Your Side" is just a call to anyone who’s struggling or fighting against God thinking they have to work to earn it. It’s calling them to stop looking for what you can do for God and fix your gaze upon what God has done for you. Let that motivate you. We love because He first loved us.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Inside & In Between is a solid live album from a band that continues to improve. All of these songs are poignant and powerful with earnest worshipful lyrics. With each new recording, the band brings a more seasoned level of musicianship and intensity, reminding me of Robbie Seay Band, Coldplay and Seabird lyrically and musically.
Francesca Battistelli [Hundred More Years] | Posted February-28-2011
Christian music artist Francesca Battistelli has had a fun, fast paced ride on life's roller coaster the last few years. Her debut music album, My Paper Heart was a major hit.She was awarded the 2010 GMA Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. She's got married and this past September gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Matthew Elijah Goodwin. She's on top of the world and is ready for a second album entitled, Hundred More Years. The first single from this album, “This Is The Stuff,” was released to Christian radio in January. In traditional Francesca Battistelli style, she tells it just how it is and all the things that drive her crazy. The main message of the song, despite all the little things that drive us all crazy, is to remember we are blessed. Francesca writes and sings about relatable subjects and her lyrics and melodies are completely infectious. Right from the opening notes, I knew I was in for a treat and musically this album is completely brilliant. The mandolin part reminds me of “Hey Soul Sister” by Train and “The Outsiders” by NEEDTOBREATHE. The bridge of “This Is The Stuff” also summarizes my prayer as a Christian: “To break me of impatience, Conquer my frustrations, I've got a new appreciation, It's not the end of the world...” Amen. “Constant” and “You Never Are” are also catchy pop songs. Every song includes at least one lyrical phrase that completely hits me where I am. “Constant” is about God’s love and Francesca sings “Okay I really don't like change but I can't stop it, I'm moving forward with the promise, You are the anchor for my soul, That's all I need to know.”
“Angel By Your Side” is a ‘beautiful, beautiful’ ballad with a catchy guitar part and features Francesca’s gorgeous vocals. The balance of upbeat songs and ballads is another highlight as the songs flow perfectly together to create one of those unique musical experiences that makes this a stellar album. “Motion Of Mercy” grabs me with Francesca’s sincere prayer, “God give me strength to give something for nothing, I wanna be a glimpse of the Kingdom that's coming soon.”“Emily (It’s Love)” features Dave Barnes and is destined to be a hit song, perhaps on mainstream radio. One argument Christians may make about this album is that the lyrics may in fact be too relatable to listeners. That would be a shame, as I was saved due to being hooked by the cross-over success of Jars of Clay’s debut album, which introduced me to the Gospel for which I’m eternally grateful. Francesca has that “it” factor that could draw literally millions of listeners to hear the Gospel truths of her music such as in the next song “Good To Know” where there is no mistaking whose love Francesca is singing about in the lyrics, “It's good to know, It's good to feel the arms of grace, To know that my mistakes are covered by Your love.”“So Long” has mainstream appeal as well, and I could imagine hearing the song in a movie soundtrack.
The last three songs are a little more like Francesca’s impressive debut album as “Don’t Miss It” has that driving rock beat and seize the day theme similar to “It’s Your Life.” The last two songs are my favorite songs on the album, “Worth It” is a gorgeous ballad and love song with biblical truth paraphrased from 1st Corinthians 13, “Love takes sacrifice, Love cuts like a knife, Sometimes love will make you cry, Love's not easy, But it's worth it.” Similar to “Someday Soon” and “Forever Love,” this could be a wedding song for believers making a marriage commitment. Having been married for 16 years with 3 young daughters, the song moves me to tears along with the amazing title track “Hundred More Years.”The song is about finding that person that you want to spend the rest of your life with and falling in love. The song is about great moments in life and wanting them to last a hundred more years. I get goose bumps and well up when Francesca passionately sings the beautiful lyrics, “they can laugh, they can cry, the future looks so beautiful and bright, they can dance in the moonlight, cause God is smiling down on them tonight, and He wants to stay right here, make it last for a hundred more years.” God wants to bless His children and this song completely blesses me. Thank you Francesca for making one of the best albums I’ve ever heard.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I'm convinced Hundred More Yearsis easily the best album by a female artist I've heard in the Christian and mainstream music market since GRAMMY award winning 19 by Adele. Reigning female vocalist of the year Francesca Battistelli has hit on all cylinders with this stellar pop music album. Every song is a perfect blend of compelling vocals, musical excellence and lyrical relevance. There are no filler songs and this album gets 5 very enthusiastic stars! This album is a "must-have" for fans of Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles and Adele.
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