IT'S A NEW DAY!

     When Arkansas natives and siblings The Martins, Joyce, Jonathan, and Judy, released NEW DAY (2011, Spring House Productions) it had been a fair number of years since they had put out an all new project together.  They are admired for their Southern Gospel songs such as 'Out of His Great Love' and 'Timothy's Burden.'  NEW DAY was produced by Jay DeMarcus of country supergroup Rascal Flatts, and finds The Martins turning to a more pop/contemporary sound.
     'Love Enough' is highly inspiring and offers words of encouragement to those who are troubled: "Wish I could go with you/To the place you cry your tears/That room where you sit all alone/With your questions and your fears/Wish I could hold your hand/When friends say words that hurt/I'd remind you of what's true/Yeah I'd shout into your world/There is love enough/No matter what you're going through/There is love enough/And grace to carry you/For God is in this moment/And there's nothing He can't do/For every one of us/He is love enough."  'New Day' talks about the importance of living in the present: "I am not looking back/Wasting time on the past/When I know that You have given me a new day/By Your love I am saved/All the old is washed away/And I'm living in a new day."  'Tell them that I love Them' is a ballad featuring Jonathan on vocals.  I could hear Carrie Underwood doing this song that focuses on what God wants fallen humanity to know: "Tell them that I love them/Telll them grace is still amazing/And there's power in the blood/And the old rugged cross is still enough/Tell them that I love them/That I died to set them free/Tell them I'm the answer/For everything they need/Tell them there's forgiveness/And hope in suffering/The truth never gets old/So say it again and again."
     'Good to Me' has an infectious quality to it and is a song of gratitude to the Lord: "You make me smile/The way I've never smiled before/And with every rising sun/I can't wait for what's in store/Life is different now/I love spending time with You/Got a heart that loves the light/And a heart that loves the truth/You've got me walking in/New mercies every day/It's hard to comprehend/It blows me away/You're good to me, good to me/It's easy to see."  'All the Love in the World' was written by Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts along with Jason Sellers and Tim Nichols.  Rooney plays a guitar solo on this upbeat track that reminds us as believers that we should be the salt of the earth: "All the starvin', all the cryin', all the war and violence/How can we let this happen?/I'll bet that's what God's been askin'/(With) All the love in the world, all the love in the world/We can lay our hearts wide open/We can fix the bridges broken/(With) All the love in the world, all the love in the world."  'Unredeemed' is reminiscent of vintage First Call and speaks of God's healing power: "It may be unfulfilled/It may be unrestored/But when anything that's shattered/Is laid before the Lord/Just watch and see/It will not be unredeemed."
     'The Truth' is a very well executed pop song written by Brian White, Ian Ashley Eskelin, and Steven A. Dean.  It speaks of the importance of faith: "In your soul/You already know/You know what you gotta do/Step out on the ledge/Over the edge/Jump into the truth/Close your eyes/To all the lies/Fall like you're flying/Just embrace the power of grace."  'Somebody like Me' is highly motivational.  It imagines a drunk man entering a church service and reminds us we need to be ready to love sinners: "You'd think somebody would put their arm around him/You'd think somebody would hit a knee, pull him in, say a prayer/You'd think somebody would want to make a difference/Well, I wonder who that somebody could be/Probably somebody like me."
     'Love's Gonna Drive this Train' is a decidedly smoking country tune featuring Michael English on vocals.  It reminds us that evangelism is crucial in these days in which we live: "Don't need no engine, don't need no track/Don't need no ticket in your hand/With no hesitation, and no lookin' back/We're headin' for the Promise Land/Reach out for your neighbor and pull him aboard/This is a trip that anyone can afford/Love's gonna drive this train."  'I Surrender' written by Chris Eaton and Joyce Sanders finishes things off on a calm note.  It paints a lovely picture of Creator and creation in perfect communion: "Beautiful, so beautiful/Is the love You show to me/You have brought me back to You/Where my heart has longed to be/Kneeling here in Your holy presence/I am lifting up my hands/I surrender, surrender/I surrender to You."
     The Martins are still favourites on the Gaither circuit, but with NEW DAY they have successfully transitioned to a contemporary, exciting, pop sound.  It will appeal to fans of AVALON, 4HIM, and POINT OF GRACE.  Various talented , veteran musicians play on the project including Chris McHugh, Greg Morrow, Dan Huff, and Jimmie Lee Sloas.  The vocals on NEW DAY are spot on.  I'm rating it 89%.  For more info visit www.martinsonline.com or www.gaither.com.