TAKE EVERYTHING

Seventh Day Slumber formed in Dallas, Texas in 1996.  For several years they were an independent band.  They signed with BEC Records in 2005 and released ONCE UPON A SHATTERED LIFE which included the songs `Caroline`and 'Oceans from the Rain'.  Fast forward to 2009 and they released TAKE EVERYTHING (BEC Recordings).  It peaked at #141 on the Billboard 200 and at #11 on the Top Christian Albums chart.  Group members at the time were Joseph Rojas (vocals, guitar), Josh Schwartz (bass), Jeremy Holderfield (guitar), and Elliot Lopes (drums).

1. First up is a rocked up version of 'How Great is Our God' which was penned by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, and Ed Cash.  It glorifies God: "How great is our God, sing with me/How great is our God and all will sing/How great, How great is our God/Age to age He stands/And time is in His hands/Beginning and the End/Beginning and the End/The Godhead, Three in One/Father, Spirit, Son/
The Lion and the Lamb/The Lion and the Lamb".

2. 'Surrender' is a rock ballad about turning one's life over to God: "I'm giving You my heart/
And all that is within/I lay it all down/For the sake of You my King/I'm giving You my dreams/I'm laying down my rights/I'm giving up my pride/For the promise of new life/And I surrender all to You/
All to You/And I surrender all to You/All to You".

3. Brooke Fraser wrote 'Lead Me to the Cross'.  It is a quiet prayer: "Lead me to the cross/Where Your love poured out/Bring me to my knees/Lord I lay me down/Rid me of myself/I belong to You
Oh lead me/Lead me to the cross".

4. 'Everlasting God' is a pleasant sounding adult contemporary song of testimony: "Our God, You reign forever/Our hope, our Strong Deliverer/You are the everlasting God/The everlasting God/You do not faint/You won't grow weary/You're the defender of the weak/You comfort those in need/You lift us up on wings like eagles".

5. A beefed up version of 'Mighty to Save' written by Benjamin Fielding and Joel Houston is up next.  It's a song of praise: "Savior/He can move the mountains/My God is Mighty to save/He's Mighty to save/Forever/Author of salvation/He rose and conquered the grave/Jesus conquered the grave".

6. 'From the Inside Out' is a quieter song that begins by speaking of God's faithfulness: "A thousand times I've failed/Still your mercy remains/Should I stumble again/I'm caught in Your grace/Everlasting, Your light will shine/When all else fades/Never ending, Your glory goes/Beyond all fame".

7. A well-done rockier version than what most of us are accustomed to of MercyMe's classic 'I Can Only Imagine' follows.  It contemplates heaven: "Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?/Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?/Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall?/Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?/I can only imagine".

8. The title track, 'Take Everything', is one of two songs in a row penned solely by lead singer Joseph Rojas.  This one is an adult rock ballad about dedication to Christ: "Praising You is not just the songs I sing/Jesus here I am/Take everything/Take the pain inside/Take the brokenness/Don’t stop til there’s nothing left/My arrogance/My pride/My loss of innocence/Jesus, take everything".

9. 'Carry Me' is an adult contemporary ballad that cries out to God for help: "And I am desperate/

And I can’t do this on my own/Won’t You carry me?/My arms are wide open/I’m giving everything/
Would You carry me?/Oh Lord I surrender/I’m letting go today".

10. 'Famous One' is a strong rock song of praise with great electric guitar work: "You are the Lord/

The Famous One, Famous One/Great is Your Name in all the earth/The heavens declare/You're glorious, glorious/Great is Your fame beyond the earth!"

11. 'Nothing but the Blood' is a melodic rock song that gratefully speaks of the atonement: "What can wash away our sins?/What can make us whole again?/Nothing but the blood, nothing but the blood of Jesus/What can wash us pure as snow?/Welcomed as the friends of God?/Nothing but Your blood, nothing but Your blood/King Jesus".

12. Last up is 'Oceans from the Rain' featuring Pablo Olivares.  It was written by Joseph Rojas and Hunz Van Vliel.  It's a sentimental ballad: "And I’m amazed by You/Cause You’re never far away/

And all that I’ve been through/Your love has never changed/You make oceans from the rain/Breathing life into this place/And I will drown inside Your love/Until I see Your perfect face".

TAKE EVERYTHING was produced by Brent Milligan. It had the potential to be a dud seeing as it is comprised of mostly worship cover songs, however I was pleasantly surprised with this album which I picked up at Goodwill yesterday.  Themes here include: exalting God for who He is (His attributes- which include strength and faithfulness), committing oneself to God and following Him daily as an act of worship, gratitude for the cross and the blood of Jesus which gives us salvation, and also heaven.  If you like the rock and adult contemporary worship offerings of artists such as Kutless, Jeremy Camp, and Third Day, you'll want to pick this one up. I'm rating TAKE EVERYTHING 88 %. For more info visit:  www.seventhdayslumber.com.

THE ALTAR AND THE DOOR

Casting Crowns began in 1999 as a CCM band led by youth pastor Mark Hall in Daytona Beach, Florida.  They released their self-titled debut in 2003.  It was a huge success and included the song 'Voice of Truth' which spent fourteen back-to-back weeks at #1.  In 2005 their album LIFESONG came out. The title track was a #1 hit for nine weeks.  Their third album THE ALTAR AND THE DOOR (2007, Beach Street/Reunion) debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and at #1 on the Hot Christian Albums chart.  Band members were: Juan DeVevo (acoustic and electric guitar), Melodee DeVevo (violin, bgv's), Andy Williams (drums), Chris Huffman (bass), Hector Cervantes (electric guitar), Mark Hall (vocals), and Megan Garrett (piano, keyboards, bgv's).  In the liner notes the band writes: "This is where we all live as believers-somewhere between the altar and the door."  At the altar, everything makes sense. We know how to live and what direction to take.  Everything is black and white.  But somewhere between the altar and the door everything leaks out and we go nuts!  God is calling us to take what He gives us..."

1. Starting things off is 'What this World Needs', a strong rock track that offers answers for our troubled world: "What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind/Another two bit politician peddling lies/Another three ring circus society.../What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue/A Spirit who will lead/A Father who will love them in their time of need/A Savior who will rescue/A Spirit who will lead/A Father who will love/That's what this world needs".

2. Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, and Nichole Nordeman wrote the adult rock song 'Every Man'.  It's the album's second single and ultimately strikes a positive chord: "There is hope for every man/A solid place where we can stand/In this dry and weary land/There is hope for every man/There is Love that never dies/There is peace in troubled times/Will we help them understand?/Jesus is hope for every man".

3. Mark Hall wrote the album's third single, 'Slow Fade', an adult rock song that serves as a strong spiritual warning and is one of the group's best songs ever: "It's a slow fade when you give yourself away/It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray/Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid/When you give yourself away/People never crumble in a day/Daddies never crumble in a day/Families never crumble in a day/Oh be careful little eyes what you see (2X)/For the Father up above is looking down in love/Oh be careful little eyes what you see".

4. 'East to West' is the album's first single and spent sixteen consecutive weeks at #1.  It is an adult contemporary ballad that serves as a prayer: "Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west?/'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've become rising up in me again/In the arms of Your mercy I find rest/'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west/From one scarred hand to the other".

5. Hall co-wrote 'The Word is Alive' with Steven Curtis Chapman.  It begins by describing how God has taken the initiative to have a relationship with us: "Looking out from His throne, the Father of light and of men/Chose to make Himself known and show us the way back to Him/Speaking wisdom and truth into the hearts of peasants and kings/He began to unveil the Word that would change the course of all things/With eyes wide open, all would see/The Word is alive and it cuts like a sword through through the darkness/With a message of life to the hopeless and afraid/Breathing life into all who believe".

6. Next up is the title track, 'The Altar and the Door', penned by Mark Hall.  It is a pop song about the struggles of faithful discipleship: "Lord, this time I’ll make it right, here at the altar I lay my life/Your kingdom come but my will was done, my heart is broken as I.../Cry, like so many times before/But my eyes are dry before I leave the floor, oh Lord/I try but this time, Jesus, how can I be sure I will not lose my follow through/Between the altar and the door"?

7.'Somewhere in the Middle' is an adult contemporary ballad that includes these transparent lyrics: "Somewhere between my heart and my hands/Somewhere between my faith and my plans/Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves/Somewhere between a whisper and a roar/Somewhere between the altar and the door/Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more/Somewhere in the middle You’ll find me".

8. Jeff Chandler wrote 'I Know You're There'.  It is the song of one with great faith: "I, I know You're there/I know You see me/You're the air I breathe/You are the ground beneath me/I know You're there/I know You hear me/I can find You anywhere".

9. 'Prayer for a Friend' is a quiet, sincere song of intercession: "Lord, I lift my friend to You/My best friend in the world, I know he means much more to You/I want so much to help him, but this is something he has to do/And Lord, I lift my friend up to You/Cause there’s a way that seems so right to him/But You know where that leads/He’s becoming a puppet of the world, too blind to see the strings/Lord, I lift my friend up to You/My friend up to You".

10. Steve Fee wrote the now popular upbeat modern worship testimony 'All Because of Jesus':  "And I am alive because I’m alive in You/It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive/It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ/That covers me and raised this dead man’s life/It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
I’m alive, I’m alive".  A strange hidden track ends off the album.


THE ALTAR AND THE DOOR won a Dove Award for 'Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year'.  It was produced by Mark A. Miller and executive produced by Terry Hemmings.  Christ is presented as our Savior, our Hope, and our Peace here.  We are reminded that God's Word is as relevant as ever today, and that we are to remain spiritually alert and do our best to follow Jesus Christ.  The depth of God's forgiveness is pointed out.  There are also a couple of praise and worship songs on this record.  The album's first four cuts, three of which were radio singles, are splendid.  Unfortunately the rest of the album doesn't quite match that quality. The remaining songs are okay or average.  That being said, I am rating THE ALTAR AND THE DOOR 78 %.  For more info visit: www.castingcrowns.com.

MEANING OF LIFE

Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born on April 24, 1982 in Fort Worth, Texas.  On September 4, 2002 she won Season One of 'American Idol'.  Her debut album, THANKFUL, came out in 2003.  Over the years Kelly became known for hits such as 'Miss Independent', 'Since U Been Gone', 'Catch My Breath', and 'Piece by Piece'.  MEANING OF LIFE (2017, Atlantic) is her eighth studio album.  It debuted at #2 on the US Billboard 200 and peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Digital Albums chart, and at #4 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.

1. Starting things off is 'A Minute (Intro)', a short song snippet about needing time alone: "Sometimes I need just a minute just for me/I need a minute just to be/I need a minute just to breathe/Sometimes I need a minute that's my own".

2. 'Love So Soft' and 'Move You' were the album's dual lead singles.  'Love So Soft' was written by Jesse Shatkin, Priscilla Renea, and Maureen 'Mozella' McDonald.  It's a soulful pop song featuring The Regiment Horns and the Earth, Wind and Fire Horn Section.  The song was nominated for a Grammy for 'Best Pop Solo Performance' but in my opinion has a corny chorus: "Love so soft/You ain't had nothin' softer/Break it, then you buy it, and it's sure gonna cost ya/Love so soft/That you can't rub off/You gon' love it, if you try it, gotcha hooked, now you're caught up/Love so soft, so soft (2X)".'

3. 'Heat' is a pop/dance track with another corny chorus: "Oh, come turn this around/Oh, no no, don't let us down/I need more heat from you baby/Make me feel weak for you babe/Oh, wanna feel alive/Oh, like my heart's in the wild/I need more heat from you baby/Make me feel weak for you babe".

4. Next up is the album's title track, 'Meaning of Life', written by Jesse Shatkin, Ilsey Juber, and James Morrison Catchpole.  Strings were arranged and conducted by Larry Gold.  Kelly sings the praises of a guy: "You show me love, you lift me up/You take me higher and higher/The truth is I'm in love/Can you feel us?/We're flyin' higher/ Meaning of life/You show me the meaning of life".

5. 'Move You' is a soulful ballad: "Like a symphony at sundown in the middle of July/When a lyric really gets ya and it breaks you down inside/Like the home that you were raised in/Like faded photographs/Like the thrill of Christmas morning/Yeah, I wanna move you like that/Ooh, I wanna move you like that".

6. Kelly co-wrote 'Whole Lotta Woman' with five other folks.  It's a self-centered upbeat R&B cut: "I got what you want/I'm aimin' to please/I got what it takes/I sure got the means/I got what you want/Sugar, honey, iced tea/All eyes on me, oh, oh, baby...I'm a strong, bad ass chick with classic confidence, yeah".

7. 'Medicine' features very uncreative lyrics: "I ain't even thinkin' bout you (2X)/Don't talk about ya/Almost forgot about you/Said I ain't even thinkin' bout you/I ain't even thinkin' bout you/Don't talk about ya/Almost forgot about you".

8. Andre Davidson, Sean Davidson, Jessica Ashley Karpov, and Pat Linehan wrote 'Cruel'.  It finds Kelly thinking aloud about her relationship: "Am I being jealous?/Are you being selfish/Runnin' round  2, 3 o'clock in the mornin'?/No, no, no you better believe me/Lovin' you, it ain't easy/I'm halfway to losin' my mind/Don't be cruel/It's taken all of me to love someone like you".

9. Bridget Sarai and Nicole Hurst sing backing vocals on 'Didn't I', a soulful pop song about being done with a relationship: "I'm over this tug of war/I've told you so many times before/Now I'm finally lettin' go of the rope/Yeah, well this game is too ugly boy/And these hands are tired from keepin' you up/And my heart hurts from holdin' out hope".

10. Kelly and Greg Kurstin wrote 'Would You Call That Love'.  It calls a former lover to reflection: "When you look back on love do you think of us?/When it's all said and done, was it all enough?/When you weigh the loss to all you've gained, tell me, does it all add up?/When you look back on us/Would you call that love?"

11. Kelly pats herself on the back on 'I Don't Think About You', a decent adult contemporary ballad: "It used to bother me/Thought I could never leave/After all that I've been through, nothin' left to prove/No, no, no, I don't think about you/Weighing down on me/I lost my sanity/And now that we are through, nothin' left to lose/No, no, no, I don't think about you".

12. 'Slow Dance' finds Jason Halbert of Sonicflood fame on piano and B3 and includes a nice electric guitar solo by Jeff 'Gitty' Gitelman.  The song begins with Kelly sizing a guy up: "You're tall, dark, and handsome/You're charming and then some/Know how to romance 'em/But I see through it all/You do everything too fast/You move like a whiplash/You're missin' the romance/And I see through it all".

13. 'Don't You Pretend' includes these words: "Don't you run and hide/Let's find out tonight/I got a feelin' that you wanna fall/Tell me yes or no/I can't take no more/I want the real thing or nothin' at all".

14. Kelly, Jesse Shatkin, and Maureen 'Mozella' McDonald wrote 'Go High'. It's the album's closing track and is forgettable: "High as the note that I sing/High as the kite with no string/High is what I have to be/When you go low I go high just to breathe/High as the smoke that you blow/High as you think I can't go/High as this lonely road/When you go low I go high just to breathe".

MEANING OF LIFE is definitely a musical departure for Kelly Clarkson and it's a departure I could do without! I'm not digging this soulful R&B pop side of her. I prefer her inspirational anthems, straight up pop, and gritty rock offerings.  The lyrics here are quite weak as well.  They are most certainly not thought provoking. Any of a number of artists could have sung and/or written these songs.  Also, at times it sounds like Kelly is trying to be cool and a bit younger than she really is.  Lastly, this album doesn't showcase her terrific vocals as much as some of her other albums. I'm rating MEANING OF LIFE a 70 percent.  For more info visit: www.kellyclarkson.com.

LIFESONG

Casting Crowns released their self-titled debut for Beach Street Records in 2003.  It produced three #1 singles: 'If We are the Body', 'Who Am I', and 'Voice of Truth'.  In 2005 the group released their follow-up project LIFESONG (Beach Street/Reunion Records).  Group members were: Hector Cervantes, Juan and Melodee DeVevo, Megan Garrett, Mark Hall, Chris Huffman, and Andy Williams.  The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, won a Grammy for 'Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album', and won a Dove for 'Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year'.

1. Starting things off is the title track 'Lifesong', which is one of six songs on the album penned solely by lead vocalist Mark Hall.  It was the album's first single and first #1 hit.  It's an upbeat modern worship track: "May the words I say/And the things I do/Make my lifesong sing/Bring a smile to You/Let me lifesong sing to You (2X)/I want to sign Your Name to the end of this day/Knowing that my heart was true/Let my lifesong sing to You".

2. 'Praise You in This Storm' was the album's second single and #1 song.  It is one of three compositions on the album penned by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms.  It won a Dove for 'Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year'.  It speaks of spiritual determination: "As the thunder rolls/I barely hear You whisper through the rain/'I'm with you'/And as Your mercy falls/I raise my hands and praise the God who gives/And takes away/And I'll praise You in this storm/And I will lift my hands/For You are who You are/No matter where I am/Every tear I've cried/You hold in Your hand/You never left my side/And though my heart is torn/I will praise You in this storm".

3. 'Does Anybody Hear Her' was the album's third single and #1 hit.  It's a moving adult contemporary story song: "She is yearning for shelter and affection/That she never found at home/She is searching/For a hero to ride in/To ride in and save the day/And in walks her prince charming/And he knows just what to say/Momentary lapse of reason/And she gives herself away/If judgment looms under every steeple/If lofty glances from lofty people/Can't see past her scarlet letter/And we never even met her".

4. 'Stained Glass Masquerade' was written by Mark Hall and Nichole Nordeman.  It's a great rock song that begins with these pointed lyrics: "Is there anyone that fails?/Is there anyone that falls?/Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small?/'Cause when I take a look around/Everybody seems so strong/I know they'll soon discover/That I don't belong/So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay/If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too/So with a painted grin, I play the part again/So everyone will see me the way that I see them/Are we happy plastic people under shiny plastic steeples/With walls around our weakness and smiles to hide our pain?"

5. 'Love Them Like Jesus' speaks of compassion: "Lord of creation holds our lives in His hands/The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands/The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands/He cares for them just as He cares for you/So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus/You don't need the answers to all of life's questions/Just know that He loves them and stay by their side/Love them like Jesus (2X)".

6. 'Set Me Free' is a rock number about a man Jesus cast demons out of in Matthew 5: "Morning breaks another day/Finds me crying in the rain/All alone with my demons I am/Who is this man that comes my way?/The dark ones shriek/They scream His Name/Is this the One they say will set the captives free?/Jesus, rescue me/As the God man passes by/He looks straight through my eyes/And darkness cannot hide/Do you want to be free?/Lift your chains/I hold the key/All power on Heav'n and Earth belong to Me/You are free! (3X)."

7. 'While You Were Sleeping' is very thought provoking: "United States of America/Looks like another silent night/As we're sung to sleep by philosophies/That save the trees and kill the children/And while we're lying in the dark/There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky/For the Bridegroom has returned/And has carried His bride away in the night/America, what will we miss while we are sleeping?/Will Jesus come again and leave us slumbering where we lay?/America, will we go down in history/As a nation with no room for its King?/Will we be sleeping? (2X)".

8. Mark Hall, Chad Cates, and David Hunt wrote 'Father, Spirit, Jesus'.  It's an energetic praise and worship number: "Rescued from darkness/We are walking in marvelous light/For we are children of the King!/SING/You are worthy of all honor/Glory, praise, and power/King of the nations/You are holy God Almighty/Clothed in brilliant majesty/Father, Spirit, Jesus".

9. 'In Me' is an adult contemporary song about obedience to God: "If You ask me to leap out of my boat on the crashing waves/If You ask me to go preach to a lost world that Jesus saves/I'll go, but I cannot go alone/'Cause I know I'm nothing on  my own/But the power of Christ in me makes me strong/Makes me strong.../To reach out with Your hands/To learn through Your eyes/To love with the love of a Savior/To feel with Your heart/And to think with Your mind/I'd give my last breath for Your glory".

10. 'Prodigal' is the longest song at 5:41.  It is a touching easy listening story song: "Daddy, here I am again/Will You take me back tonight?/I went and made the world my friend, and it left me high and dry/I drag Your Name back through the mud that You first found me in/Not worthy to be called Your Son/Is this to be my end?/Daddy, here I am/Here I am again".

11. Closing things out is 'And Now My Lifesong Sings', a tender song of testimony: "I once was lost, but now I'm found (2X)/So far away, but I'm home now/I once was lost, but now I'm found/And now my lifesong sings/I once was blind, but now I see (2X)/I don't know how, but when He touched me/I once was blind but now I see/And now my lifesong sings (3X)".

LIFESONG was produced by Mark A. Miller and executive produced by Terry Hemmings.  Musically, there is a mix of pop, rock, adult contemporary, and modern praise and worship found on this record.  A main theme is making the church a place where we are sensitive to the needs of others and where we are non-judgmental of those who come.  We are to love others.  And we are to be ourselves in church, not wearing masks.  Easier said than done.  Another theme is wanting to live for God and praising Him even in the stormy seasons of life.  We need Christ's power in us to accomplish things on this earth.  I am rating LIFESONG 95%.  For more info visit: www.castingcrowns.com or look them up on facebook.

REDEEMER: THE BEST OF NICOLE C. MULLEN

Aileen Nicole Coleman was born on January 3, 1967 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She put out her first album DON'T LET ME GO in 1991 under the name Nicole.  She married David Mullen in 1993 and became known as Nicole C. Mullen. They are now divorced but she is a mother of three children.  Fast forward to 2006 and REDEEMER: THE BEST OF NICOLE C. MULLEN (Word/Curb) was released.  It features songs from records she put out in 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004.

1. Starting things off is 'Redeemer' which won the Dove for Song of the Year in 2001.  It is one of eleven tracks on this best-of written by Nicole solely.  It's a celebratory anthem: "Now I know my Redeemer lives/I know my Redeemer lives/Let all creation testify/Let this life within me cry/I know my Redeemer/He lives to take away my shame/And He lives forever I'll proclaim/That the payment for my sin/Was the precious life He gave/But now He's alive and there's an empty grave".

2. 'Black, White, Tan' is one of two songs on this best-of written by Nicole C. Mullen and David Mullen.  It's a slow pop song against racism: "Momma looks like coffee, Daddy looks like cream/Baby is a mocha drop American dream/All the colors of the rainbow are in her family tree/Woven all together in a paisley tapestry/She holds real tightly to her parents' hands/Baby loves that woman, baby loves that man/And her soul gives a smile 'cause she understands/That love is black, white, tan/Yeah, yeah, yeah/Black, white, tan".

3. 'Message for Ya' was penned by Nicole C. Mullen, Bootsy Collins, and Brooke Dozier.  It's an upbeat, playful R & B number that inspires action: "Gotta message for my sista girls/Gotta message for my baby girls.../Gotta message for my brother man/That we gotta give it, give it all we can/Justa' spread the love of God around the land/'Cause gotta message for ya".

4. 'Call on Jesus' is a lovely R & B ballad about the importance of prayer and faith: "When I call on Jesus/All things are possible/I can mount on wings like eagles and soar/When I call on Jesus/Mountains are gonna fall/Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call".  It won a Dove for Short Form Music Video of the Year.

5. Nicole, David Mullen, and Michael Hunter Ochs wrote 'On My Knees' which won the 1998 Dove for Song of the Year.  It's a beautiful ballad of faith: "I've learned in laughter or in pain/How to survive/I get on my knees (2X)/There I am before the love that changes me/See, I don't know how/But there's power/When I'm on my knees".

6. 'Shooby' is a groovy R & B song of testimony: "I believe in Jesus/And I won't apologize/He has bought me my freedom/With His blood and with His life/I believe in Jesus and I ain't ashamed to testify/You might change this world around me/But you'll never change my mind/And it makes me wanna/Shooby, Doobee Doobee, Doo-wop/Throw my hands up high".

7. 'Freedom' is a danceable pop track against racism: "We marched in 'Bama, we marched in Tennessee/Brown men and white men/Stood for equality/We kept our chin up/We kept our dignity/And our proclamation/Let everybody sing/From the shores of Africa/Up to the doors of America/With voices to heaven praying for liberty/We cry freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom".

8. 'Bye Bye Brianna' is a story song: "I talked to your mother the other day/And she told me you passed away/I couldn't find the words to say/I started to cry/She said when the heart begins to ache/She can remember you in a place/Looking at Jesus face to face/Oh what a delight/You got your sight!"

9. Nicole and James Quenton Wright wrote 'Without You'.  It's a smooth R & B ballad of gratitude: "Every sunrise when my skies are blue/Breath of Heaven/I feel You/With each heartbeat/My soul is renewed/Can't live my life/Without You".

10. 'Always Love You' is from the soundtrack to the 2005 film END OF THE SPEAR.  This song is a manly rock number with these emotional declarations: "Well, no matter how far you go/I will always love you/Like a thousand rivers from my soul/I will always love you/I miss you and the funny things you say/I remember every day/In a hundred different ways/I miss you being here with me/Though you've been set free/I hold you in my memory".

11. 'I Am' includes these words from Jesus: "I'm telling you/I am, I'm the rose they crucified and buried/I am, now I'm risen from the dead/I am, I'm the Lion from the tribe of Judah/I am, I'm the Lamb".

12. 'Baby Girl' is a pop/dance song about the true value of young gals: "I say 'Baby girl, get a hold of yourself/Baby girl, don't you know your wealth?/You're a diamond hiding on a shelf/Baby girl, baby girl/Baby girl, don't you know who you are?/God has made you a shining star/A little light is brighter than the dark/Baby girl, baby girl'".

13. 'Music of My Heart' is a pretty ballad that includes these prayerful words: "Creator of all that is lovely/Write a tune upon my heart/And when You're finished will you play me like a beautiful guitar?/And strum the chords of mercy, restore my soul completely/Breath life into me and this instrument will sing".

14. 'Come Unto Me' is a song of divine comfort: "He says 'Come unto Me all who are weary and I will give you rest/Bring what hurts, bring your scars/Bring the load that you carry/And I will give you rest'".

15. 'Talk About It' is a Latin-infused dance track about fulfilling the Great Commission: "Tell rich and poor in slavery/The King has ordered the decree/Ransom all captivity/Ring the bells of liberty/He sacrificed His everything/To buy us new identities/So every knee could bow/And every tongue confess/That Jesus our Lord is marvelous/So, let the redeemed of the Lord say so/Talk about it, say so, talk, talk about it".

16. Bonus cut: 'Redeemer (Live)'. A splendid version.

17. Bonus cut: 'Call on Jesus (Live)'. A beautiful version.

I'm just gonna come out and say it-there is a lack of black artists in Contemporary Christian Music. We need more. I'm not talking Gospel Music. Nicole C. Mullen is a very pretty lady as one can see from the photos included with this cd.  Musically, you will find pop, dance, R & B, and inspirational music on this album.  There are songs that give testimony of who God is and what He has done for us-songs of praise and worship.  There are songs that speak of having faith and of the power of prayer to change things.  Other songs remind us that God loves all people and that gives us our true value.  In return we should help others and share God's love.  There is even a song about a blind gal who gets her sight in heaven.  I'm rating REDEEMER: THE BEST OF NICOLE C. MULLEN a perfect 100 percent. For more info visit: www.nicolecmullen.com or her facebook page. This cd clocks in at a generous 77 minutes and 23 seconds.

CASTING CROWNS

Casting Crowns began as a student worship band in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1999 led by youth pastor Mark Hall.  Mark A. Miller, the lead singer of country music's Sawyer Brown, heard one of their independent albums and they were the first group signed to his Beach Street Records, a division of Reunion Records.  In 2003 Casting Crowns released the self-titled album CASTING CROWNS.  It was produced by Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman and executive produced by Terry Hemmings.  The group's roster was comprised of two ladies and five men.  In the liner notes the band writes: "Thank You Father in Heaven for taking what little we offer You and using it to reach others.  You are King of Kings and may all of our little kingdoms bow before You.  We love you Father and we sing for Your glory!"

1. Starting things off is 'What if His People Prayed', one of many on the album where Mark Hall writes the lyrics and the whole group writes the music.  It is a pop/rock number that speaks of the difference prayer can make: "What if His people prayed/And those who bare His Name/Would humbly seek His face/And turn from their own way?/And what would happen if we prayed/For those raised up to lead the way?/Then maybe kids in school could pray/And unborn children see light of day".

2. 'If We are the Body' was the album's first single and a #1 hit.  It is a pop song urging Christians to make a difference in the world in which we live: "If we are the body/Why aren't His arms reaching?/Why aren't His hands healing?/Why aren't His words teaching?/And if we are the body/Why aren't His feet going?/Why is His love not showing them there is a way?/There is a way".

3. 'Voice of Truth' was the album's third single and spent 14 weeks at #1.  Written by Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman, it is an adult contemporary ballad about fighting fear with faith: "The waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me/Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed/The waves they keep on telling me/Time and time again, 'Boy, you'll never win!'/'You'll never win!'/But the Voice of truth tells me a different story/The Voice of truth says, 'Do not be afraid!'/And the Voice of truth says, 'This is for My glory'/Out of all the voices calling out to me/I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth".

4. 'Who Am I' was the album's second single and also made it to the top of the chart.  It's a beautiful song with strings performed by Jonathan Yudkin and Bernie Herms.  It speaks of God's care for us: "I am a flower quickly fading/Here today and gone tomorrow/A wave tossed in the ocean/A vapor in the wind/Still You hear me when I'm calling/Lord, You catch me when I'm falling/And You've told me who I am/I am Yours (2X)".

5. 'American Dream' is an adult pop/rock track that focuses on fathers who aren't there for their kids physically and emotionally: "Not this time son, I've no time to waste/Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play/And then he slips into his new BMW/And drives farther and farther and farther away/So He works all day and tries to sleep at night/He says things will get better/Better in time".

6. 'Here I Go Again' is about winning souls: "Lord, You love him so, You gave Your only Son/If he will just believe, he will never die/But how then will he know what he has never heard/Lord he has never seen mirrored in my life?/This might be my last chance to tell him that You love him (2X)".

7. 'Praise You With the Dance' is a cheery modern worship number: "I will sing to the Lord/And I will lift my hands/For You have brought me out of the pit (2X)/And I'll sing glory, hallelujah/I lift Your Name on high/I'll sing holy, 'cause You're worthy/I'll praise You with the dance".

8. On 'Glory' Hector Cervantes helps Mark Hall with these not most creative lyrics: "You are holy in this place/You are worthy of my praise and we worship You/Jesus, we worship You.../When You call my Name, I'll run to You/I'll do anything You ask me to/Falling on my knees I worship You, my Lord/We give you GLORY".

9. 'Life of Praise' is a catchy upbeat modern worship song: "I will serve You Lord, always for You are my strength/When I am weak/I will never be afraid for You are my rock and You protect me/But I'll praise You for You are holy, Lord/And I'll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more".

10. Last up is a quiet cover of Darrell Evans' 1998 song 'Your Love is Extravagant'.  It is intimate: "Your love is extravagant/Your friendship, it is intimate/I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace/Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place/Your love is extravagant".

This album, CASTING CROWNS, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart and was nominated for a Dove Award for 'Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year'.  It's an excellent album that gives good advice on how we are to spend our time here on earth as believers in Jesus Christ, and that lifts up God with songs of praise. Musically, it's a good mix of pop/rock and modern worship which should appeal to a wide variety of age groups.  I'm rating it 100 percent. For more info visit: www.castingcrowns.com.

HYMNED NO. 1

Bart Marshall Millard was born on December 1, 1972 in Greenville, Texas.  He is best known as the lead singer of MercyMe who put out their major label debut ALMOST THERE in 2001.  It included their now mega-hit 'I Can Only Imagine'.  Before she died Bart promised his grandmother he would record a hymns album.  The result was HYMNED NO. 1 (2005, Simple/INO Records).  It was produced by Brown Bannister and Bart Millard.  In the liner notes, Bart writes: "May every part of this project bless the heart of God".  Here are my thoughts on the album:

1. Starting things off is a jazzed up version of 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee'.  Tim Lauer plays accordion and four backing vocalists are used.  The lyrics are prayerful: "Just a closer walk with Thee/Grant it, Jesus, is my plea/Daily walking close to Thee/Let it be, dear Lord, let it be/I am weak, but You are strong/Jesus, keep me from all wrong/I'll be satisfied as long, oh/As I walk , let me walk close to Thee".

2. Bart and Barry Graul wrote the sentimental country song 'MawMaw's Song (In the Sweet By and By)'.  Sam Levine plays the tin whistle while Gordon Kennedy is down for banjo and guitar solo.  This is a sentimental country song: "Seven years old up on my knees/On the third row pew, trying to see/My grandmama sing 'In the Sweet By and By'/It wasn't the sweetest sounding thing/But there's something about when grandmama sang/That moved your feet and stirred something up inside/To see her grin from ear to ear/One thing for sure was very clear/This wasn't just a song it was her life".

3. A pleasant version of 'Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior' with Vince Gill on backing vocals follows.  "Pass me not, O gentle Savior/Hear my humble cry/While on others Thou art calling/Do not pass me by/Let me at Thy throne of mercy/Find a sweet relief/Kneeling there in deep contrition/Help my unbelief".

4. A rootsy version of Cleavant Derricks' 'Have a Little Talk with Jesus' is up next.  Becca Bramlett and Perry Coleman are on backing vocals.  These lyrics admit life isn't always easy: "Sometimes my path seems drear, without a ray of cheer/And then a cloud of doubt may hide the light of day/The mist of sin may rise and hide the starry skies/But just a little talk with Jesus clears the way".

5. Next is a bluesy version of Thomas A. Dorsey's 'Precious Lord, Take my Hand'.  It uses horns and a choir and finds Russ Taff on guest vocals.  The song calls on the Lord for help: "Precious Lord, take my hand/Lead me on, let me stand/I am tired, I am weak, I am worn/Through the storm, through the night/Lead me on to the light/Take my hand, precious Lord/Lead me home/When my way grows drear/Precious Lord, linger near".

6. 'Softly and Tenderly' is presented in an adult pop fashion.  It offers hope: "O for the wonderful love He has promised, now/Promised for you and for me/Though we have sinned/He has mercy and pardon/Pardon for you and for me".

7. 'Sweetest Name I Know' was penned by Luther B. Bridgers.  Here it is given the experimental treatment, with Dan Needham on drums.  This is not my favorite version ever of the song.  It does give testimony though: "All my life was wrecked by sin and strife/Discord filled my heart with pain/Jesus swept across these broken strings/And stirred these chords again".

8. For 'Power in the Blood', Shane Keister plays B3 and Paul Franklin plays dobro.  Anthony Evans Jr. and Nirva Dorsaint are on backing vocals.  It's all about true forgiveness: "Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?/There's power in the blood, power in the blood/Sin stains are lost in its life giving flow/There's wonderful power in the blood".

9. 'My Jesus I Love Thee/'Tis So Sweet' is a nice combination of two ballads about spiritual submission: "My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou are mine/For Thee all the follies of sin I resign/My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou/If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now/'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus/Just to take Him at His Word/Just to rest upon His promise/Just to know/'Thus saith the Lord'".  Derek Webb is a guest vocalist.

10. Last up is George Bennard`s classic `The Old Rugged Cross'.  This version is quiet and finds Andrea Zonn on fiddle and background vocals.  It begins with these traditional words: "On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross/The emblem of suffering and shame/And I love that old cross where the dearest and best/For a world of lost sinners was slain/So I'll cherish the old rugged cross/Till my trophies at last I lay down/I will cling to the old rugged cross/And exchange it some day for a crown".

On HYMNED NO. 1 Bart gives these hymns a contemporary sound while mostly keeping the original melodies. Bart's vocals are easy to listen to-he doesn't do vocal acrobatics here. There are a variety of eclectic musical styles here, but it is not a MercyMe record by any stretch.  This is an album you will want to play over and over again.  It will encourage you in and strengthen your walk with God.  I`m recommending it to fans of Clay Crosse and Michael English.  I rate this CD 90 percent.  For more info visit: www.bartmillard.org, www.mercyme.org, or look them up on facebook.

FOR GOD AND GOD ALONE

Steve Green was born in Portland, Oregon on August 1, 1956.  His folks were missionaries and he spent a lot of time early on in Argentina.  He has sung backup for the Bill Gaither Trio and was part of the Gaither Vocal Band.  Briefly, he was the lead singer for Christian rock band White Heart.  He released his self-titled solo debut in 1984.  In 1985 HE HOLDS THE KEYS won him a Dove Award for 'Male Vocalist of the Year'.  In 1986 he put out FOR GOD AND GOD ALONE (Sparrow) produced by Greg Nelson. It is that album I am reviewing here:

1.  The album starts with 'Call to Worship/The Majesty and Glory of Your Name', a reverent ballad that uses a choir: "O blessed Master, author of salvation/I lift my hands, and bless Your Name/Eternal is Thy glory/Eternal is Thy pow’r and might/You are the source of life/Alleluia, alleluia/The majesty and glory of Your name/Alleluia, alleluia/The majesty and glory of Your name".

2. Next up is the title track 'God and God Alone', penned by Phil McHugh.  Bobby Taylor plays oboe on this powerful praise and worship anthem on which Steve gives a great vocal performance: "God and God alone will be the joy of our eternal home/He will be our one desire/Our hearts will never tire of God and God alone/God and God alone is fit to take the universe's throne/Let everything that lives reserve it's truest praise for God and God alone".

3. 'I Will Lift Up' was written by Denise and Dwight Liles.  It is an upbeat tune extolling Christ: "Lord, Your artistry fills the earth/In wisdom You made it all/Seas and rivers give glory to You/With thunderous voice they call/Mountains rise to declare Your strength/As valleys kneel to the King/Now I join as creation worships and sings/I will lift up my eyes, I will lift up my voice/I will lift up my heart to You, Lord/I will lift up my praise/I will lift up my love/I will lift up my life to You, Jesus".

4. 'Higher Ground' is a Christian pop song about the importance of a solid spiritual foundation: "In the world, but not of it/Caught in the storm, we've got to rise above it/Waves of ungodliness eroding the shore/It's a treacherous sea, too wild to ignore/Build your house above the ocean/Build your house on higher ground/Build above the world's commotion/And its mesmerizing sound".

5. Gary Driskell and Mike Hudson wrote 'We Have Seen God's Glory' which clocks in at 5:56.  It's an inspirational number about the importance of fulfilling the Great Commission: "Here we are again/The witnesses of Jesus take their stand/
May it never end/Through us let God keep stretching out His hand/Reaching those who doubt/Touching those who cry/Lifting up the word of God/As we testify/
Walking with our God/In such a living way/That when we share our faith in Him/
We can truly say/'We have seen God’s glory/We have lived and walked with Christ the King/We have seen Him heal the wounded/We have heard the brokenhearted sing'".

6. 'Let Us Praise the Almighty' clocks in at 1:59.  It's a peppy praise track: "Let us praise the Almighty for what He has done/He has given new life through the Son/He’s uniting His family making us one/Let us praise Him for what He has done".

7. Next up is the now famous duet with Steve's wife Marijean, 'Household of Faith', which has been performed at many a wedding!  It was penned by Brent Lamb and John Rosasco and is a pleasant ballad: "Here we are at the start committing to each other/By His Word and from our hearts/We will be a family in a house that will be a home/And with faith we’ll build it strong/We’ll build a household of faith/That together we can make/And when the strong winds blow it won’t fall down/As one in Him we’ll grow and the whole world will know/We are a household of faith".

8. 'Only Jesus/Calvary's Love' speaks of the atonement: "Only Jesus, Only He
brings redemption, full and free/There’s a yearning, in all our lives/That only Jesus satisfies.../Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love/Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of/The deepest sin can’t rise above/Calvary’s love".

9. Jon Mohr, Steve, and Greg Nelson wrote 'Enter In', a song of spiritual invitation: "Dearly beloved we are gathered here/To be a holy bride/And daily cross death’s threshold/To the holy life inside/Enter in, enter in/Surrender to the Spirit’s call/To die and enter in/Enter in, find peace within/The holy life awaits you, enter in".

10. Last up is 'You Want To...Now Will You', an easy listening song about conviction: "You want to, now will you?/You want to, now will you?/The truth that burns within you/Like a bed of fiery coals/Contains that power to liberate/A thousand captive souls/But if the truth will ever set you free/Depends on you/You want to, now will you?/You want to…now will you?".

As a work of art, this is a terrific album!  It is enhanced by the use of The National Philharmonic Orchestra of London and Carl Gordetzky and The Nashville String Machine, as well as backing vocalists such as: John and Beverly Darnall, Marty McCall, Melodie Tunney, and Bonnie Keen.  I'm rating FOR GOD AND GOD ALONE 95% and recommending it to fans of Twila Paris, David Phelps, and more traditional church music. This is a work of excellence. For more info visit: www.stevegreenministries.org or look him up on Facebook.

THE ANSWER

Jeremy Thomas Camp was born on January 12, 1978 in Lafayette, Indiana.  His major label debut was 2002's STAY.  His first wife died young of ovarian cancer.  Camp married his second wife, Adrienne, on Dec 15th, 2003. They have two daughters and a son.  In 2014 he released I WILL FOLLOW which peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Christian Albums Chart and at #25 on the US Billboard 200.  Fast forward to 2017 and he put out THE ANSWER (Stolen Pride/Sparrow) which I will be reviewing here.  It peaked at #2 on the US Top Christian Albums Chart and at #33 on the Billboard 200. Here is my review:

1. 'Word of Life'. It's the album's techno pop lead single penned by Jeremy, Colby Wedgeworth, and Ethan Hulse.  It's a song of testimony: "You called me out from the grave/So I can live like I've been changed/There is a new song in my soul/And it begins when I breathe in/Your Word of life.../The old has gone away/Only Your love remains/I am alive today/Cause You called me out".

2. 'My Defender'.  It's a modern worship number: "You're my Defender/You fight for me/I will remember/You're all I need/You are my Healer/My remedy/Against the power of the unknown/And I will not stand alone/Cause You're my Defender.../I'm saved by the blood/I'm saved by the blood of Jesus".

3. 'The Answer'.  An inspirational ballad/anthem penned by Jeremy, Ed Cash, and Scott Cash.  Background vox by Jason Eskridge and Nikki Conley.  "I know the answer to every question/The one solution to every fear/I know my help and where it comes from/Jesus, He is the Answer/He sees our sadness/He feels our sorrow/And in our weakness, He is strong/He holds the weight of/All our failings/Great is our sin but greater the cross!"

4. 'Storm'. Invites God's presence into our lives: "Come like a storm/Come like a crashing wave/Oceans will roar/As we lift high Your Name/Come like a storm/Come like a storm/Come like a storm/As we lift high Your Name/Rushing wind usher in Your presence/Heaven's rain push away all fear/Mercy flow breaking over my heart again/How we need more of You".

5. 'My Father's Arms'.  A lovely adult contemporary number.  "My Father's arms are wider than the sea/And I'm standing on the shores of majesty/No matter how far I run I can never outrun His love/My Father's arms are holding me.../Here my fears are gone/Here I'm safe from harm/There is nowhere else that I would rather be/Here, only here".

6. 'Never Stopped Loving'. Penned by Jeremy, Joshua Silverberg, and Jess Cates.  This one is an adult contemporary ballad about God's faithfulness to us: "You kept on calling my name through all my darkness and haze/Even when I fell apart You held me close to Your heart/When I had gone astray/How You would chase me/How You would chase me/When I was so afraid/You would embrace me/You would embrace me/You never stop loving/Never stop loving me/You never stop loving/Never stop loving me".

7. 'Tell the World' includes this cry for revival: "I wanna see Your people set on fire/I wanna see the nations on their knees/The only hope, the only hope/Is found in the mercy of the King".

8. Jeremy, Adam Cappa, Ed Cash, Jonathan Smith, and Casey Brown wrote the adult contemporary anthem 'Heaven's Shore'.  It anticipates eternal life: "I will run like a child to the arms of Your love/I will sing with the tongues of angels/With those who've gone before/When I look upon Your face/The very moment I have craved/In Your presence, forevermore/On heaven's shore/To leave this place is to leave my fears/And step into the light of the glory of my King/I'll see in full and bow in awe/In the presence of my Savior's majesty/I can't wait, no I can't wait".

9. 'Carriers' acknowledges our need for the Holy Spirit's power and guidance when witnessing: "Fire of heaven/Fall down on us/To be carriers, carriers/Filled with Your power/Filled with Your love/To be carriers, carriers/Into all the world we'll go/Until every nation knows/The Name of Jesus/The Name of Jesus".

10. Seth Mosley is a co-writer on the catchy pop/dance track 'Love So Great'.  The lyrics are pretty uncreative but I still like the song: "How could I not proclaim the power of Your Name?/It's flowing through my veins/Your praise I cannot contain/I cannot contain/What a love so great/What a price You paid".

11. 'Awake O Sleeper'.  A rootsy rocker penned by Nicholas Kirk and William Wilkerson.  "Do you hear the Lion roar?/Wake, o, sleeper/Stand with me, we'll fight the war/Wake, o, sleeper!/Let no man bring me harm/I bear the marks of Jesus/Let no man bring me harm/I bear the marks of the Lord/I said let no man bring me harm/I bear the marks of Jesus/Let no man bring me harm/I bear the marks of God".

THE ANSWER is a great album that you won't easily tire of. I'm rating it 84 percent as there are a lot of great songs here.  Fans of daytime CCM radio will enjoy it most.  Fans of Camp's rockier efforts will be let down by this record.  I would give the album an even higher mark, but it really doesn't show much growth as an artist in this case.  For more info visit: www.jeremycamp.com. As usual his vocals are great!

THE UNMAKING

Nichole Ellyse Nordeman was born on January 3, 1972.  She released her debut album WIDE EYED in 1998. Following that she released three more full length albums.  In 2015 she put out a six song EP entitled THE UNMAKING (Sparrow). Here are my thoughts:

1. First up is the title track, 'The Unmaking'.  It is one of four co-writes with David Hodges.  It's a great adult pop song about spiritual restoration: "This is where the walls gave way/This is demolition day/All the debris, and all this dust/What is left of what once was/Sorting through what goes and what should stay...This is the unmaking/The beauty in the breaking/Had to lose myself/To find out who You are/Before each beginning/There must be an ending/Sitting in the rubble/I can see the stars/This is the unmaking".

2. 'Not to Us' was penned by Nichole, Matt Brownleewe, and Christopher Stevens.  It is a beautiful modern worship number featuring Plumb: "Let not any passion be for kingdoms we have fashioned in our own name/For our own fame/Not to us/Not to us/But to Your Name be glory/To Your Name be glory/Not to us/Not to us/But to Your Name be glory/To Your Name.../So let us not be fooled/And let us not be disillusioned/Let our eyes see You clearly".

3. 'Name'.  A catchy pop song about our true identity in Christ: "You are still a promise/The heartbeat of God/You may have forgotten/But He has not/You are not your ashes/You are a flame/Do not ask the shadows/The Light of the world knows/Knows Your Name.../You're a friend of God, daughter, son/Blameless and forgiven one/You're a slave no more, finally free/Saints and heirs now redeemed/Your beautiful and broken heart/Is safe and sound in His arms/You are chosen, you are His/So remember this".

4. 'Love You More'.  An inspirational ballad: "I keep thinking there's a limit/Sure I must be getting near it/When I've used up every pardon and regret/But You promise there is freedom/Gathered up the broken pieces/Scattered them as far as East is from the West".

5. 'Something out of Me'.  A cheery sounding pop song with nice backing vocals.  It's about the miracle working power of God: "You lifted bread to the blue sky/They said they watched it just multiply/But in the back of a long line/Oh, I want/to believe/There's enough left for me.../You take all kinds of nothing/Turn it right in to something/I see impossible but/You see a basket full of/A little bit of this sounds crazy/A little bit of just maybe/You take every doubt and/You make something out of me".

6. 'Slow Down'.  Penned solely by Nichole.  It's a touching ballad from mother to child: "Slow down/Won't you stay here a minute more?/I know  you want to walk through the door/But it's all too fast/Let's make it last a little while/I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly/I am your biggest fan/I hope you know I am/But do you think you can somehow/Slow down?"

Nichole Nordeman is a beautiful lady with a heart for God.  In the liner notes she writes: "Really grateful, in an ever changing industry, to still be an artist at Capitol Christian Music: there's no place I'd rather be".  I love this six song EP from Nordeman.  She's one of the best female vocalists and songwriters in CCM today.  I'm rating THE UNMAKING 90% and recommending it to fans of Natalie Grant and Sara Groves.  In 2017 she would release the full length album EVERY MILE MATTERED which features a new and awesome version of 'Slow Down' with her daughter Pepper Ingram. You'll want to check that out. For more info visit: www.nicholenordeman.com.

GOOD THINGS

The Proverbs just recently celebrated 50 years of music ministry. On their brand new album GOOD THINGS, they have really 'knocked it out of the park' so to speak! This is a great follow-up to SAY AMEN. It's somewhat hard to categorize the musical styles found on GOOD THINGS. I would say there is Southern Gospel, soulful jazz pop, and easy listening represented here. Songwriters include Wayne Haun, Sonya Isaacs, Justin Wells, Gerald Crabb, Rachel McCutcheon, and Scotty Inman. Themes presented include: having a positive attitude during the hard times in life, trusting in God's faithfulness to us, dedicating oneself to God, the majesty of Christ, and anticipating heaven. This is an album that will greatly encourage you in your Christian faith walk and it is one you will want to listen to time and again. If you liked Natasha Daw's lead on last album's 'I Pray', you will like her taking the lead on 'Here's My Everything' here. She is a wonderful young lady who has Down's and loves Jesus Christ. This is my ninth Proverbs cd. I'm rating GOOD THINGS 95%. To pick up your copy visit www.theproverbs.com and click on 'Contact Us'. You can also connect with the group on Facebook. They also have a Christmas cd you can order. I hope to pick up more of their back catalogue in the future.

FAITHFUL

I want to thank my dear Mom Debbie Alward for buying me the new Torchmen cd FAITHFUL (2017), as part of my Christmas gift. It's my seventh cd by the group. Songwriters on the album include: Rebecca J. Peck, Luther G. Presley, Tim Lanier, Rodney Griffith, and Janice Crow. Here is my track by track summary:

1. 'It's an Everyday Thing'-About the importance of daily intimacy with Christ (upbeat musically).
2. 'Faithful Father'-About God's faithfulness and care (a ballad).
3. 'Crown Him King'-Exalting Christ and gratitude for Calvary (upbeat).
4. 'What if Someone'-The sadness of a life without Christ and the importance of witnessing (ballad).
5. 'I Want to Live Like Jesus'-A desire to be Christlike and follow Him (upbeat).
6. 'The Warrior is a Child'-A nice cover of a Twila Paris classic about God as our Refuge, and our vulnerability as humans (ballad).
7. 'Good Things'-Living life anticipating God's blessings (upbeat).
8. 'Reunion with You'-About grief and anticipating heaven (ballad).
9. 'Wonder Working God'-About God's miracles (upbeat).
10. 'I'm Gonna Keep Praying'-About the importance of constant prayer (ballad).
11. 'What Kind of Man'-The uniqueness of Christ (ballad).
12. ''When the Preacher Gets to Preachin'-About salvation and revival (upbeat).
12. 'Oh What A Price'-The Atonment (ballad).

This is a simply terrific recording! The harmonies presented here by Sandy MacGregor, Jeff Tritton, Mike Moran, and Jon Hisey are awesome. If you like groups like Gold City and the Nations, you've got to pick FAITHFUL up! I'm rating it 98 percent. For more info visit www.torchqt.com.

UNIFIED

Sweet & Lynch released their debut album ONLY TO RISE in 2015.  Fast forward to 2017 and they released their second album UNIFIED (Frontiers Records). The band lineup is the same: Michael Sweet (lead vocals), George Lynch (guitars), James Lomenzo (bass), and Brian Tichy (drums). Here are my track by track thoughts:

1. 'Promised Land'-It's a hard rocker that begins and ends with Sweet's signature screams which Stryper fans love!  I was pleasantly surprised at the overt Christian lyric with this being a mainstream release: "Don't let the Devil rob your soul/You've got to know/He'll always try to take his toll on you".

2. 'Walk'-A rocker with melodic moments. Lyrics include: "Take the high road to be free/Walk with the wise and be wise/Run with a fool, never rise/Do what is right/Lead the race, take the prize/Walk with the wise to be wise".

3. 'Afterlife'-A bit of a spooky rock feel to it musically.  Seems addressed to God: "You don't owe me a thing/I owe you my own life/You gave me everything/On this earth and in the afterlife".

4. 'Make Your Mark'-Includes a great electric guitar solo.  Lyrics include: "Shine bright in the dark/Let the light make your mark/You know what's gonna save you/Take the power that God gave you and you show them how it's done".

5. 'Tried and True'-A lovely rock love ballad: "When you walk into a room/Every head turns to you/You're beautiful and I'm blessed you are mine/You're every dream and every prayer/I promise you, oh this I swear/You've got me baby/Till the end of time".

6. 'Unified'-The title track.  An inspirational rock ballad/anthem: "We all bleed red/Despite what's in our head/Have we done all we can to be unified?/We all have our own views/And that will never change/From the Gentiles to the Jews/The normal to the strange".

7. 'Find Your Way'-A slow rocker.  "Don't believe what hate can say/Thank the Lord/Everything's going to be okay/When love's explored/You know you'll always find your way".

8. 'Heart of Fire'-A faster paced rocker.  A bit self-serving: "You've gotta know your soul can shine brighter than the sun/And you can be the eyes for the ones who are blind/Heart of fire/Oh will you be one to inspire and to set hope free?".

9. 'Bridge of Broken Lies'-A bit of a sleeper musically. Lyrics include: "Know that I feel bad for you/I'd love to see you heal/You need cement, some kind of glue//So you can start to really feel again/You've built a bridge of broken lies/You always wore the perfect disguise/Apologies will never minimize/Your bridge of broken lies". Makes me think of the friction between Stryper and former bassist Tim Gaines, but may not be about that at all.

10. 'Better Man'-A mid-tempo rock number.  A bit sappy: "I am the lock and you are the key/I'm gonna spend my life loving you/When I'm with you baby/I wanna be a better man/When you're not by my side/I think about you and when I'll see you again".

11. 'Live to Die'-A rock song of encouragement: "We're here to be defenders of the faith forevermore/Explorers who surrender/To the dreams of every shore/There are no limitations/If we conquer and believe/We're beautiful creations/Who are crafted and conceived".

My assessment of UNIFIED is that it is a wonderful rock album, but not the kind you bang your head to or pound your fist in the air to. It's a solid effort which I will rate 88 percent.  The lyrics are written in such a way that both Christians and non-Christians should be able to get something out of them.  For more info connect with the band on facebook or at www.sweetandlynch.com where you can see the video for 'Walk'.

SONG CINEMA

Mark Mitchell Schultz was born on September 16, 1970 and was adopted when he was two weeks old.  He released his self-titled debut album, which included the touching song ‘He’s my Son’, in 2000.  In 2001 he put out SONG CINEMA (Word).  It was produced by Monroe Jones and executive produced by Brad O’Donnell.  Schultz and Tony Wood co-wrote the energetic opening pop song ‘When the Mountains Fall’.  It’s one of encouragement: `When you walk through the fire/It will not consume you/Thought the water will rise/It won’t overtake you/Though the mountains will fall/Oh, still I am with you/I’ve called you by name/And I will not leave you/I’m learning to trust You/I’m learning to fly”.  ‘Back in His Arms Again’ is a beautiful song addressed to a prodigal: “Though you’ve run away/Reminded day by day/You’ve stumbled and you’ve fallen/Still He’s calling.../I believe that He never let you go/I believe that He’s wanting you to know/I believe that He’ll lead you ‘til you’re back in His arms again”.  ‘Think of Me’ is a lovely adult contemporary ballad about true friendship: “Think of me/I know God brought you as a friend/Think of me/I know He’ll bring you back again/Think of me/What can I say to show you/I’ll never give up on you/I will be waiting for you/I will be there when you call/I will see you through it all”.  Rachael Lampa, whom I named my daughter after, performs a perfect duet with Mark on this one!

Schultz and Regie Hamm wrote ‘I Have Been There’ which speaks of God’s faithfulness: “An older man up on a hill/Holding flowers but he can’t hold back the tears/Oh, he has come to say goodbye/He thinks about the life she lived/Thinks about how hard it’s been to live without her/Sixty years right by his side/And he cries ‘Oh Lord, I loved her ‘til the end’/Then he heard a gentle voice say ‘You’ll see her once again’/I have been there/I know what sorrow’s all about/Yes, I have been there/And I am standing with you now”.  Next Schultz covers Mr. Mister’s 1985 classic hit ‘Kyrie’.  Kyrie Eleison means ‘Lord have mercy on us’.  It’s a terrific pop/rock tune: “Kyrie Eleison down the road that I must travel/Kyrie Eleison through the darkness of the night/Kyrie Eleison where I go You will follow/Kyrie Eleison on a highway in the light”.

‘Holy One’ is one of several songs penned by Shultz alone.  It’s a pretty ballad appropriate for Easter: “You took the nails/You bore the pain/And as they hung You on the cross and mocked You/Holy One, if you’re the Holy One let your God come and save you from the grave.../Early morn, break of day/Came in time to find the rock You rolled away/I found Your robe/An empty grave/And as I fell upon the ground I cried out/Holy One, You are the Holy One/And You came and gave Your life away”.  ‘Back to You’ is a pleasant pop song nature lovers will relate to: “Sitting here on the dock as the sun is setting/Red and gold in a purple sky/And the breeze through the trees keeps them gently rocking/Just like the waves that are keeping time.../All around, hear the sound of creation singing/Lift their praise up to God on high/I know You’re there, know You care/I know You made the moment/I take a breath and I close my eyes”.

‘Faith, Hope and Love’ is an upbeat adult contemporary song penned for graduates: “A chapter done/Turn the page/And separate roads lead separate ways/But as we go we’re not alone/No, we’re not alone/Because faith and hope and love/Are waiting for you when we say goodbye/Where would we be without the faith?/Where would we be without the hope?/Where would we be without the faith?/The one that God alone has made?”  ‘The Time of my Life’ is a moving love song: “The months went by, it was their wedding day/A church on a hill, wedding bells rang away/She looked like a princess all dressed up in pearls/It was her proudest day/And he stood all alone in a darkened church hallway/He got down on his knees and he started to pray/He thanked the Lord for his family and the perfect bride”.  Last up is ‘We are Calling You’ which includes Congo language and sounds.  Here are the English lyrics addressed to Christ: “When I’m calling out can you hear me calling Jesus?/When I’m crying out can you hear me crying Jesus?/Holy Lamb/Great I Am/How long, how long/Until we see Jesus?/Jesus, Jesus we are calling You (2X)”.

If you’re a fan of Wayne Watson and Michael W. Smith’s Christian pop music, you’re going to want to pick up SONG CINEMA.  The list of background vocalists is impressive: Schultz, Tabitha Fair, Chris Rice, Lisa Bevill, Bonnie Keen, Todd Smith and Nicol Smith.  Scott Dente from Out of the Grey is one of the guitarists.  This record makes it clear that God can relate to us in a personal relationship with Him.  He loves us and wishes to take care of us.  Schultz is grateful for life and reaches out to God.  There are also songs here about the male-female romantic relationship and about friendships.  Not to be forgotten is a great song about the crucifixion and resurrection.  Schultz relates his stories and thoughts in a very down to earth, everyday man manner and comes across as very likeable.  I’m rating SONG CINEMA 90%.  For more info visit: www.markschultzmusic.com.