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.

THIS GENERATION

In 2000 Sonicflood won a Dove Award for their self-titled album.  It was for their debut and for ‘Praise and Worship’ album.  Fast forward to 2005 and they put out THIS GENERATION (INO Records), their sixth album overall.  The group’s roster was: Rick Heil (vocals, guitars), Bryan Willard (bass guitar), Trey Hill (guitars), Jordan Jameson (guitars), and Ben Showalter (drums).

First up is the title track, ‘This Generation’, penned by Kevin McDougal and Rick Heil.  Brandon Heath is a backing vocalist on this great rock song that reaches out to one’s peers: “This is a call to worship/This is a call to sing/This is a call to fall down on our knees before the Risen King/This is a call to shout out/This is a call to praise/This is a call to lift our hearts and hands and voices”.  An invitation to God is also extended: “Make every heart a new creation/Come into this generation”.  ‘All I’ve Failed to Be’ is a ballad of spiritual surrender: “I’m praying Lord break me/I’m praying Lord take me/I’m praying Lord make me/All I’ve failed to be/God above/I’m in awe of Your perfect love/Humbly I come to Your throne of grace/For a taste of You”.

Chad Cates, Jim Cooper, and Rick Heil wrote ‘You Are’.  Tony Palacios and Paul Moak play guitars on this pop/worship song: “You are the great I AM/You are the Prince of Life/You are the Spotless Lamb/My Risen King/The reason why I sing/I want to live for You/You are worthy/Boldly I’ll speak Your truth and lay down my life/And I will give You glory/For everything You are”.  ‘Everlasting’ is a beautiful song that uses strings and is about how reliable our God is: “The sky will fall/The ground will give/Through it all You will be faithful/Friends may leave/They come and go/This I know/You will be faithful (2X).../When all around is falling into waste/When the earth is dying/You cannot be erased/And I don’t have to be afraid”.

Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong of The Choir wrote ‘More than Anything’, an adult contemporary track that cries out to God: “More than anything in my life/More than anything my soul desires/Holy fire in the dark of my heart of hearts/How I need You/How I love You/More than anything/How sweet the rain that falls on barren land/So much more I need You/Divine the grace that heals a broken man/Precious Lord, I love You”.  Joey Canaday plays bass on ‘Prodigal’, a rock song that places total trust in God: “So here is my life/I give it all/I’m placing it in Your hands/Mold me and make me/Let me fall into Your arms of love again/Where I should have always been/My sin You remember no more/Your mercy has covered my scars/Your healing has welcomed me home/I am new in You”.

Jamie Rowe of Guardian sings backing vocals on ‘Your Love Goes On Forever’ which was written by Marc Byrd, Christine-Glass Byrd, Rick Heil, and Andrew Thompson.  It’s a pretty pop/worship tune: “Heaven and all the universe/Proclaim Your power and Your worth/Hallelujah/Your love goes on forever/God of life and Lord of love/Who was and is and is to come/Hallelujah/Your love goes on forever/All you creatures of the sea/And children of the Savior/Yearning hearts and oceans deep/Praise the Lord/For the mercy in His hands/For the healing in His scars/For the grace in His commands/Praise the Lord!”  ‘Never Forget You (Psalm 103)’ is a rock/worship testimonial: “Praise You Lord/With all my heart/I know You satisfy/Praise You Lord/Lord most high/For how You’ve changed my life/I’ll never forget that You forgive my sin/Redeem my life/From the pit/Forevermore/I’ll never forget You Lord/Your love surrounds me”.

‘Moment of Glory’ has Pete Kipley as one of the co-writers and is a pleasant song of wonder: “There’s something radical about this revelation/There’s something magical about the cloud formations/I see Your glory in this place/I feel the mystery of Your grace/There’s something wonderful about this transformation/Just like the stars shining at night/You are the sun that gives me light”.  Last up is Lara Martin’s ‘God is Here’, a light rock song with these words for a chorus: “God is here, let the broken-hearted rejoice/God is here, let the sick say I am well/God is here, let the weak say I am strong/God is here”.

THIS GENERATION is a fantastic album that blends pop and rock music sounds with modern worship lyrics.  It is an album full of spiritual passion and vitality.  God is presented as our ever present hope and true life-giver and mender of broken hearts and lives.  These ten songs express a sincere desire to know, love, and serve God wholeheartedly.  That is what life should truly be all about even if it goes against the popular flow.  We need not be ashamed to proclaim the goodness of our God.  At times the sounds on this album remind me of the CCM group PFR.  Youth and young adults who desire to glorify the Lord will appreciate THIS GENERATION which I’m rating a perfect 100%.  For more info visit Sonicflood or Rick Heil on Facebook.

STILL HAPPY

Goodman Revival is: Michael Sykes, Tanya Goodman Sykes, and Johnny Minick.  They are carrying on the musical legacy of The Happy Goodman family who are legends in Southern Gospel music.  Goodman Revival’s first recording was 2014’s SONGS IN THE KEY OF HAPPY.  Here, I will be reviewing their second album, STILL HAPPY (2017, Gaither Music Group).

First up is the toe-tapping ‘When they Ring the Bells of Heaven’.  It offers something grand for believers to look forward to: “He’ll be there to welcome all the ransomed and free/When they ring the bells of Heaven on that day/Oh, when they ring the bells of heaven/Ring the bells of glory/When redeemed are gathered on that day/Oh, the hallelujah morning/Everybody singing, shouting/What a happy meeting/When they ring the bells of Heaven on that day”.  Isaiah G. Martin’s classic ballad of hope ‘The Eastern Gate’ is next: “If you hasten off to glory/Just linger near the Eastern Gate/For I’m coming in the morning/And you’ll not have long to wait/I will meet you in the morning (2X)/Just inside the Eastern Gate over there.”  Tanya’s Dad Rusty Goodman wrote ‘Had it Not Been’, a great Easter song: “Had it not been for a place called Mount Calvary/Had it not been for the old rugged cross/Had it not been for a man called Jesus/Then forever my soul would be lost”.

Aaron Wilburn and Phil Johnson wrote ‘The Word is Mercy’, an easy listening ballad about ultimate healing: “If you could just imagine a bird without a song/Fallen to the barren earth, wounded, left alone/And then with just a motion of the kind and loving hand/The broken wing is mended, the song restored again/The word is mercy (2X)/Nothing else describes what He did for me/On a hill called Calvary/He cast in the sea all I used to be/The word is mercy”.  ‘There’s Been A Lot of Changes’ offers testimony and is upbeat Southern Gospel: “Well, this old house was filled with sin from ceiling to the floor/And Satan had me wrecked within till I could stand no more/But the great Repairman from above, He knew just what to do/He filled my soul with His great love and made me over new/There’s been a lot of changes in this heart of mine/I’ve got a born again experience and now I’m feelin’ fine”.

Suzanne Jennings and Michael Sykes wrote ‘Knowing You’ll Be There’, a sentimental country ballad: “Knowing we can spend a lifetime reminiscing on the past/Knowing I will see your face again where tender moments last/It makes me wanna go there knowing I won’t be alone/Knowing you’ll be there makes it easy to go home”.  Rusty Goodman wrote the fun ‘The Answer’s on the Way’.  It’s a song of positivity: “Oh yes, the answer’s on the way, this I know/Jesus said it, I believe it and it’s so/Our Heavenly Father knows the need before we pray/And we can rest assured/The answer’s on the way”.

Johnny Minick and Tim Hill wrote ‘I’m Dying to Tell You’, which is a country ballad that finds Jesus speaking from the cross: “He said ‘I’m dying to tell you I love you/Dying to bring you life anew/I want to show you what grace can do/So I’m dying to tell you I love you’”.  Ronnie Hinson’s ‘The Lighthouse’ is an inspirational classic with a nautical theme and a spiritual meaning: “There’s a lighthouse on a hillside that overlooks life’s sea/When I’m tossed it sends out a light that I might see/And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me o’er/If it wasn’t for that lighthouse/My ship would sail no more.../And I thank God for the lighthouse/I owe my life to Him/For Jesus is the lighthouse and from the rocks of sin/He has shone the light around me/That I might clearly see/If it wasn’t for the lighthouse/Where would this ship be?”

Next is Bill Gaither’s intimate praise and worship gem ‘The Longer I Serve Him’.  It begins: “Since I started for the Kingdom/Since my life He controls/Since I gave my heart to Jesus/The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows/The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows/The more that I love Him, more love He bestows/Each day is like Heaven, my heart overflows/The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows”.  Last up is Charles Wycuff’s ‘I’m Too Near Home’.  It’ll get your feet a dancin’ and is a song of spiritual determination: “I’m too near home with my Lord/To miss sweet heaven’s reward/I’m not returning to sin/I’ve made my vow/There’s nothing to go back to/Oh ‘Praise God! Heaven’s in view!’/I’m too near Heaven my home/I’ll not turn back now”.

I became a fan of the last incarnation of the Happy Goodman’s (Howard, Vestal, and Johnny Minick) via the Gaither Homecoming video series.  On STILL HAPPY Goodman Revival keep the musical and lyrical vibe of the group going with several cover songs and a couple dandy originals that fit in well.  The main theme presented is that of anticipating Heaven where we will see God and loved ones who have gone before us.  It will be a place of complete joy.  Gratitude for Calvary is another main theme.  Through the sacrificial work of Christ we can obtain mercy, grace, love, healing, forgiveness, and salvation.  We can become new creations.  Other topics explored include prayer and serving Jesus.  Intimacy with God is desired.  Seven of the eleven songs are on the slower side of things, but the four fast ones are really good and celebratory.  Tambourine, harmonica, steel guitar, mandolin, and dobro are just some of the instruments used on this record of Southern Gospel and country sounds.  All three group members take turns singing lead, with Tanya and Johnny being most prominent.  I’m rating STILL HAPPY 95%.  For more info visit: www.goodmanrevival.com.

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Robert Mason ‘Bob’ Carlisle was born on September 29, 1956.  Early on he was part of the Jesus music groups Good News and Psalm 150.  I first knew him as the lead singer of Christian rock band Allies who put out six studio albums between 1985 and 1992.  He would go on to release a handful of solo albums beginning in 1993.  In 1997 he took the music world by storm with his crossover hit ‘Butterfly Kisses’, co-written with Randy Thomas.  It won a Dove for ‘Inspirational Song of the Year’ and was all over the airwaves.  With its father-daughter heart-tugging theme it became a wedding favorite.  Fast forward to 2000 and he put out the album NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (Diadem).

Randy Thomas and Rick Crawford wrote the soulful pop song ‘Forgiveness’ on which Kim Keyes is a backing vocalist.  It’s about not holding grudges: “Every time I throw that stone/The fate I’m sealing is my own/Do you know how much I need forgiveness, forgiveness?/I can’t live without forgiveness, forgiveness/That’s what love’s about.../Nobody wins when the bridges start burning/Can’t you hear my cry?”  Darwin Hobbs and Tabitha Fair are two of the backing vocalists on ‘Lay Your Hands on Me’, a gospel pop song about ultimate healing: “So, I’ve come before the Great Physician/Where I know the medicine is strong and free/Only You can cure this crossed up condition/Yeah, You know the very thing I need.../Lay Your hands on me/I want Your touch/Lay Your hands on me/You’ve got the power/Lord, You know I’ve got the need”.  Bob and Randy Thomas wrote ‘Heaven’, a sentimental ballad: “There are moments in this life when it’s hard to carry on/When I think about my father and all the loved ones that are gone/Friends and close relation/Somewhere on the other side/They’ve passed into forever but the love has never died.../I want to see heaven where the faithful carry on”.

‘First, Last & Always’ is a very slow song on which Kirk ‘Jellyroll’ Johnson plays harmonica.  It encourages us to focus on God: “So much that glitters and shines/In this world, wild and wonderful/So much that captures my mind/Still all my thoughts turn to You/You should know I think of You/First, last and always (2X)/You gave my life back to me/And forever you’ll be/First, last and always”.  ‘The Truth (La Verdad)’ is one of three songs on the album penned by Bob and Regie Hamm.  It’s a fun, tropical sounding, autobiographical track: “I never really listened much to rock-n-roll/Grew up on James Brown, Motown and Latin soul and that’s the truth/See all my homies were of serious Latino persuasion/They taught me how to find the groove despite my sole lack of pigmentation/They took a little white boy with shiny shoes/And they anointed me with salsa and rhythm and blues”.

‘River of Peace’ is an adult contemporary ballad featuring The Nashville String Machine.  It admits to having times of doubt: “You said we’re all Your precious children/But I must admit sometimes we feel so small/We wonder if You’re there or if You really care at all/Ours is not to question why/Ours is just to live and try/To settle for the answer/Whatever it might be”.  Next up is a cover of the Todd Rundgren co-write ‘Love is the Answer’.  Here, Bryan Duncan is Bob’s perfect duet partner.  The chorus of the upbeat song goes: “Light of the world shine on me/Love is the answer/Shine on us all, set us free/Love is the answer”.

Bob and Tom Hemby wrote ‘Watched by an Angel’.  It’s a bit of a sappy mid-tempo song: “I’ve had it harder than some/But I was never one for sympathy/Even when it seemed like my vision was gone/There was someone looking out for me/And when it’s all been said and done/It’s so clear that I was not alone/I’ve got something to say/And I know it might sound crazy/But I swear I’m being watched by an angel/Somebody’s there/There’s no other way to say it”.  Amy Grant had a massive hit with ‘Baby Baby’, a co-write with Keith Thomas.  It was on top of the Billboard 100 for two straight weeks in April of 1991 and is from her album HEART IN MOTION.  The song was inspired by her young daughter Millie.  Carlisle’s cover of the song here is slower, longer, and by far inferior.  At any rate, it’s still about devotion: “My love for you is true and it will never/Stop for a minute/Baby, you’re mine/And ever since that day you put my heart in motion/Baby I realize that there just ain’t no getting over you”.

‘I Still Believe in You’ is a mellow R & B declaration of faith: “I still believe in You/I still believe what You say is true, yes I do/I still believe in You/My God is alive/I still believe in You/No matter what they say or do/I still believe in You/Lord, I still believe in You”.  CCM vet Randy Stonehill co-wrote ‘After All’, an easy listening ballad about God’s love: “After all the heartache and the pain/All the bridges I have crossed/And the ones I’ve left in flames/After all the sorrow and regret/All the times I’ve turned away when You’d call/You still love me after all”.

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH was produced by Regie Hamm and executive produced by George King and Dean Diehl.  Bob Carlisle’s soulful vocals will appeal to fans of Michael English and Michael Bolton.  His voice is seasoned and mature.  Pop, adult contemporary, gospel, and R & B sounds can be heard on this record.  It is a very laid back offering and doesn’t really have a central theme so I found it to be disjointed.  Certainly Bob is singing about his Christian walk, but not in a cohesive manner.  The album is all over the place topically.  Sonically, I also found it somewhat boring.  I’m rating this one 73%.  For more info connect with Bob on Facebook.

WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE

In 1985 speed metal band Deliverance was formed in California, fronted by Jimmy P. Brown II.  In 1987 they contributed two songs to the compilation album CALIFORNIA METAL.  Other artists on that album included Guardian and Neon Cross.  In 1989 Deliverance released their self-titled debut album.  It included such songs as: ‘No Time’, ‘If You Will’, ‘The Call’, and ‘Jehovah Jireh’.  In 1990 the band released their most loved project ever to this day by many, WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE (Intense Records).  Members were: Jimmy P. Brown II (vocals, guitar), George Ochoa (lead and acoustic guitar), Brian Khairullah (bass), and Chris Hyde (drums).  Ochoa served as producer.

The opening track ‘Supplication’ doesn’t hit the two minute mark, but it’s a good one.  It includes these spoken words: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal/But mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.../And bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.  A nice acoustic, then electric guitar piece follows.  ‘This Present Darkness’ rocks hard and urges us to be spiritually alert: “Mighty are the weapons of God to combat this present darkness/Satan’s plan, complacency/Knowing not the fight for your soul/Don’t believe his lies, just unveil your eyes/Through prayer bring down the strongholds”.

Next up is the title track, ‘Weapons of Our Warfare’, which is one of my all time favorite Christian metal songs.  The video got airplay on MTV.  The song pulsates from beginning to end.  It begins with a warning: “Imaginations running wild/Innocent they seem/Polluting your mind/A formulated scheme/The battle it starts in your mind/A lesson to be learned/Provoking thoughts only cause the sin that provoking thoughts have earned”.  The song goes on to advise: “To take dominion over Satan’s own ground/Rise up with the sword of God and put your armor on”.  ‘Solitude’ is fast and heavy and Jimmy again screams in falsetto when appropriate.  The song stresses the importance of the Bible: “A man’s fear is crushed when thoughts recall words heard so long ago/Search for an answer/A holy book upon a shelf/Words cutting deep inside/Speaks to my heart and to my soul.../I don’t have to be alone/No more solitude”.

The next track, ‘Flesh and Blood’, is the longest at about seven and a half minutes.  It’s blistering metal with bold lyrics: “This war is not for wimps, the emaciated, or the weak/It’s for those who bear their cross and believe the power of Jesus’ Name/Christianity, a reality/It’s a fight to let you know about a Man who gave His flesh and blood/To save your hellbound soul”.  ‘Bought By Blood’ begins with a warning: “The seductress that flatters with her tongue/Don’t be led astray by her deceit/Many are the victims she’s cast down/All her slain are a mighty host/Her house is the way to hell”.  The song goes on to remind us of our value to God: “You’ve been paid for at a price/You’ve been bought by blood/The precious blood of Christ”.

‘23’ is a slower metal song based on David’s most famous Psalm: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death/I will fear no evil/You are with me/Your rod and staff/They comfort me/You are with me/Oh Lord”.  ‘Slay the Wicked’ sizzles in fine metal fashion and empowers us: “Release the power/Not ours, not angels’/But God’s above/This is the hour/Demons your fate is sealed/Slay the wicked.../Resist the devil and he will flee from you/Don’t give place to his lies/Not being ignorant of any devices/Submit to God/Be a vicar of Christ”.

‘Greetings of Death’ is a headbanger with awesome electric guitar work and a serious message: “It has been appointed once for a man to die/But after this the judgment/Once the appointment has been made/Nothing can be done to change it.../Are you afraid to die?”  Last up is the energetic ‘If We Faint Not’.  It encourages the weary: “Life just seems so much harder/All the battles day by day/That’s when we must stand up and be bold, be bold!/So let us not grow weary in doing what is right/God shall renew our strength to fight someway/Remember, we reap what we sow/Flesh sows corruption/Spirit everlasting life/It’s yours/We shall reap/If we faint not”.

In order for this album to make any sense, one has to believe that there is a Creator God who has a wonderful plan for our lives and who wants us to spend eternity in heaven with Him.  One also has to believe that there is an evil Devil who wants to draw us away from God, destroy our lives, and wants us to spend eternity in hell with him.  Furthermore, one has to believe in the events of Easter-the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  God ultimately defeated Satan on our behalf.  In the meantime though, there is a battle going on for each individual human soul.  We must not be passive, but active participants in spiritual warfare.  Prayer, reading the Word, and putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) are vital weapons in our battle to draw nearer to God and away from the devil’s schemes.  We can live happy, victorious spiritual lives on planet earth as long as we answer the devil’s lies with God’s truths and accept the salvation Christ offers us.  On WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE these Christian messages are delivered via speed and thrash metal music, so granted, it won’t appeal to the masses.  That being said, those who enjoy bands like Vengeance Rising and Tourniquet will enjoy this album that is very lively.  I’m rating it 95%.  For more info connect with Deliverance or Jimmy P Brown II on Facebook.