Brooke Barrettsmith was a contestant on American Idol in
2006 who reached the top 40. She went on
to tour with the likes of Pillar, Wavorly, and Building 429. On her self-titled debut album (2008,
Essential Records) she co-writes all ten songs.
Her co-writers are: Aaron Sprinkle, Jason Ingram, Doug McKelvey, Matt
Bronleewe, Adam Smith, Rob Hawkins, and Justin York. In the album’s credits she thanks “Jesus
Christ-my Savior, my life. May I always
serve You with passion and devotion, on and off the stage. I dedicate this album to you. I love You, Father.
First up is ‘Right Now’, an all out rock song about being
given a clean slate in life: “New day/Moving beyond what broke me down/Letting
go/I’m giving it all up to be found/I never thought a second chance would ever
let this day begin/I never thought I’d be the one to show the world You’ve
overcome/I can start again.../I wanna stand my ground in every circumstance/I
won’t let ‘em keep me down/You’ve given me a second chance/Given me a second
chance”. ‘More Real’ speaks of the
Lord’s goodness to us: “I’m about to break/In this lonely place/I cry Your
name/You are more real/Than the tears that are filling my eyes/Than the
heartache I’m holding inside/You’re my hope in the darkest of times/Like the
moon that illuminates the night/In light of all I feel/Jesus, You’re more
real”.
‘Farewell’ urges us not to be caught up in our regrets: “Say
farewell to all, all of your mistakes/Forgive yourself/It’s a brand new
day.../The future is redemption/Your story of escape.../Salvation is waiting
for you/Your heavy heart can be carried for you”. ‘Quiet my Heart’ is appropriately a piano-based
ballad. It reminds us that we ought to
spend quality time with the Lord on a regular basis: “I get stuck in
between/Yesterday and all that tomorrow brings/When all that You want from me/Is
that I come and sit at Your feet/And know that You are God.../Open my eyes to
take in Your beauty/Keep me here in this place/Take me in Your embrace/There’s
no place I’d rather be than right now”.
The next song is called ‘Breakthrough’. Anyone who has ever experienced a spiritual
valley will be able to relate to these pleading words: “Breaks the heart inside
of me/Stuck in the dark and I can’t see Your light/Like it used to shine on
me/Miss the way it used to be/Running free and feeling so alive/Take me there
again/I know You hear me/I know You’ll help me”. ‘Father’ is a mid-tempo, worshipful song of
gratitude and commitment: “Thank You for saving my soul/Oh Father/I thank You
for giving me hope/Oh Father/I promise my love to you/And I will follow You
always/My Father”.
‘Anymore’ is a heavy rocker that includes these emotionally
charged lyrics: “Your words can cut so deep/I can’t stop the bleeding/Do you
find pleasure in/In watching me scream?/I feel the sting/(Are you happy
now?)/Nothing is sacred/You’re not yourself.../Look at me when I am talking to
you/You never listen, never follow through/Look at me, I’m talking to you/You
never listen”. ‘OK’ is a catchy electric
guitar and drum driven song of encouragement: “It’s ok to be afraid/Just fix
your eyes above/And it will be O, be O, be OK/It’s OK, cuz you are safe/Don’t
lose your faith/And it will be O, be O, be OK.../You’ve got to trust, God hears
your cries/Don’t, don’t, don’t you worry”.
‘Quiet Streets’ is all about sharing the good news of the
Gospel with others: “When did we dress up in secrets?/Why are we ashamed to
shout His name?/If you’re waiting for the perfect moment/If there ever was a
time, it’s now/Go on now, take it to the quiet streets/The truth is screaming
to be free/Go on now, take it to the quiet streets/The truth is
screaming”. ‘Paper Tigers’ finds
Frederick Williams on piano and Chris Carmichael responsible for strings. This closing song assures us all is not lost
when we are afraid: “Oh, surrounding you a storm is raging/So look around,
don’t you fear/Paper tigers are your enemy/I know they seem real/Stretch out
your hands and feel/The wind against your fingertips/And know that help is
here/Right here”.
It is pleasant to be reminded that there are female
Christian artists who enjoy playing rock music.
The Christian market is flooded with female pop and adult contemporary
artists. Brooke’s voice is well suited
to her chosen genre of rock on this album.
Her vocals are not drowned out by the instruments. The photos of Brooke included with this
project are stunning. I’m recommending
this self-titled debut to fans of Krystal Meyers, Kutless, and Flyleaf, and
rating it 85%. For more info look up
Brooke Barrettsmith on Facebook.