A Passion Project
Posted April 25, 2017
By CaitlinLassiter_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Quite possibly the biggest collective project this year, Beatitudes is a beast of an album. Only part of this massive undertaking that has been over a decade in the works for former Delirious? guitarist Stu G, The Beatitudes Project also includes a film (View From The Hill) and a book (Words From The Hill) in addition to the twenty-track record. Featuring a plethora of today's top recording artists teaming up with Garrard, Beatitudes carries the underlying goal of sharing real life stories from people around the world who embody the traits found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), experienced through a 21st-Century lens.
Chilling spoken word track "Listen" by Becky Harding captures the listener's attention while opening the album, leading into laid-back "Oh Blessed" featuring Anthony Skinner. An early highlight, All Sons & Daughters lend their voices to the heartfelt "You Will Make A Way."
Piano-led "Carry On" from Michael W. Smith picks up the tempo a bit while offering lines of encouragement, much like John Mark McMillan's "Heaven Is Around Us." Newcomer Terrian Bass brings her soulful vocals to sonically intriguing "Let My Dreams Fly," contrasting well with vocal veteran Amy Grant's string-heavy "Morning Light."
Audrey Assad, the daughter of a Syrian refugee, takes on the deeply personal and hauntingly beautiful track "I Will Be Your Home," a song inspired by refugees. Assad also teams up with Matt Maher on "Oh Mercy," a moving moment on the album that sees the two voices mesh in perfect harmony. Bethel Music's Amanda Cook leads "Undivided" in such a powerfully elegant way, bringing the song to life with emotion and near-perfection.
Touching base with other genres, the album shifts sonically with Stu G's well-executed rock track "In The Middle" and rapper Propaganda's "Make A Little Trouble." A highlight for Delirious? fans, "Holy Troublemakers" reunites Stu G and Martin Smith for the first time since their band's days ended in 2009. Worshipful "The View From Here" from Hillsong United and well-crafted "Makers Of The Peace" from The Brilliance close out the album on high notes of creativity.
The Bottom Line: Beatitudes truly is a masterful work of art. An impressive record that carries both new and seasoned voices while displaying artists from a ranging spectrum of genres, Stu G did a remarkable job of creating this project with diversity while still conveying the central theme well through each track. With every song co-written by Garrard and its respective artist, Beatitudes accomplishes its mission by encouraging and challenging listeners from beginning to end with its personal and passionate feel.
Song To Download Now:
"Undivided" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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