Jeremy Thomas Camp was born in Lafayette, Indiana on January 12, 1978. His first major label studio album was 2002's STAY. It included the hits 'Walk By Faith' and 'I Still Believe'. Fast forward to 2009 and he released SPEAKING LOUDER THAN BEFORE (BEC). It entered the Billboard 200 at #38 and was nominated for a Dove for 'Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year'.
Starting things off is 'Slow Down Time', a rock song on which Jeremy shares His desires: "I wish I could slow down time/I wish I could wait here at Your feet/Cause with You is the only place that I wanna be/I know I should take it all in stride/I know You are there with every reach/Cause with You is the only place that I wanna be". 'Capture Me' is a modern worship song of testimony: "You brought me joy that words can't speak/You gave a truth where lies will never reach/I won't fight no more/You gave me peace from this life of fear/Never alone, at every grasp You are near/Now there's life more abundantly".
'Speaking Louder than Before' rocks and encourages us to be witnesses: "Take every chance that you can/Move together taking a stand/Never losing heart, we'll speak as one/We need to be the image of Christ/Show love and serve at all times/We can make a difference in this land". 'There Will Be a Day' was a #1 hit for Jeremy. It anticipates heaven: There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears/There will be a day/When the burdens of this place will be no more/We'll see Jesus face to face/But until that day/We'll hold on to You always".
'I Know Who I Am' is modern worship: "I know who I am and I know I'm not able/To stand on my own/I can't live all alone/So I'm taking my hands and I'm reaching them out/And I fall down, for You I fall down". 'I'm Alive' is an energetic rock song of testimony: "My whole life changed/When You saved me and forgave me now/I'm alive, I'm alive like I've never been/Been revived from the lies that were deep within/It's the past now, it's the past/Cause Christ has given life/Where I'll never thirst again".
'You Will Be There' is next up. It's an adult contemporary ballad that uses strings to good effect. It praises God for His faithfulness: "I begin the day/With the faith You fashion my ways/And I cannot escape/For Your hand it leads/Your right hand holds me/When I wake, You will be there/When the sun goes down in the night/You will be there". 'Healing Hand of God' is a nice ballad of encouragement: "I have walked through the valleys, the mountains, and plains/I have held the hand of freedom that washes all my stains/If you feel weight of many trials and burdens from this world/There's freedom in the shelter of the Lord/And I have seen the healing hand of God/Reaching out and mending hearts".
'So In Love' is a song of worship that is quiet: "The only words that I can bring are these very words I sing/So, I sing to You now/'Cause I am so in love with You/There's nothing else I'd choose/You've stolen my heart/Yes, I'm all for You". Jacob Sooter helped write the music on 'My Fortress'. It's a worship ballad: "I'm running fast to seek Your face, oh yeah/Head first I dive into Your grace/You are my fortress/You are the refuge where I hide/You are the strength when I can't fight/You are the only One I rest my life in".
'Giving You All Control' is a great rock song about submitting to God: "I'd set myself up for the lies that this world satisfies/But You're all that I need/And I have peace inside/So keep tearing out all of my pride/Take all of these impurities/I'm giving You this wretched soul/I'm giving You these insecurities/Giving You all control". Last up is 'Surrender', on which Scott Dente plays acoustic guitar. It's a heartfelt song: "I surrender to Your throne/Oh, I surrender to Your throne/And I will make my heart Your home/Oh, I surrender to Your throne.../Soften up this hardened clay/To be a servant, this I pray".
SPEAKING LOUDER THAN BEFORE is a gem of an album. Musically, it incorporates modern worship, rock, and adult contemporary sounds. There are eight slow songs and four fast ones. Surrendering our lives to God is the main theme of this album. We should strive for intimacy with Him. God is to be praised for salvation, peace, healing, and His faithfulness. As believers we have a charge to share our faith in God with those who do not know Him yet. Eventually His people will enter heaven, a place beyond words. I'm rating this record a perfect 100%. For more info visit www.jeremycamp.com and connect with him on social media.