SELECTIVE HEARING
by Robert Berman
Some of the better cuts include the opener, before launching into a trio song with Franklin and
“All Glory” which is an a vibrant and uplifting Toby Mac urging concern for both black lives and
opener instrumentation blue lives (i.e. policemen). “The One He Speaks
and chord structure. Kierra Shierd’s vocal Through” urges Christians to see themselves as
at the end of song helps the final chorus Christ’s ambassadors. “He might use your words
soar to celebratory and infectious heights. to heal a heart that has been bruised.” Despite
“Greatest Hallelujah” is a gorgeous piano led piece the weighty subject matter, Mandisa keeps the
with acoustic overtones about how our response music mostly uptempo, from the Chic-via-Mark-
to God’s forgiveness and mercy is to give Him our Ronson funk of “Good News” to R&B, pop, and
lives. “Gracefully Broken” and “Hope Is Marching gospel stylings. Britt Nicole and Jeremy Camp
On” are Southern Gospel inspired songs about also lend their vocals to some tracks. The digital-
the hope we have through the redemption of the only version adds three more tracks to the fifteen
cross. Tasha Cobb’s soulful vocals on the latter on the CD version, but none of them seem like
give this track life as her powerful voice mixes leftover dregs. This is an album for everyone who
perfectly with Redman’s throaty baritone vocal. knows someone with deep hurts. Which is to say,
For the most part this is a nice offering from the this is an album for everyone.
with
Bethel
type
of things. Some of the instrumentation and melody
you, so come on inside.” He adopts a thoroughly
modern musical form with plenty of “whoa’s” and
anthemic half-time, tom-driven percussion that
lands somewhere between Ed Sheeran and Mat
Kearney. “Mercy is a Song” swings with a gospel
beat, while the tongue-twisting patter of “Amen”
celebrates God’s grace and new birth. Biography
features heavily; “The Sound of a Life Changing”
recounts the Steven Curtis Chapman concert at
which West set his own career course in Christian
music, while “Something Greater” reviews his
marriage, and daughter Lulu joins him on the
legendary worship leader, with many of the songs
and arrangements leaning toward the simple side
wide. There’s a seat at the table just waiting for
THE WELCOME WAGON
Light Up the Stairs
maternal tribute “Becoming Me.” “Power Love
Sound Mind” ventures furthest afield musically
with its semi-recitative vocal delivery recounting
lines seemed a bit dated and out of place, and I
stories of suffering. “Jesus & You” recalls Van
was less than impressed with the recording and
Morrison by way of Jason Mraz.
mastering in spots. That being said, this collection
still has some tender worship moments that will
bring you close to the heart of God.
FINDING FAVOUR
Farewell Fear
Pastor/artist Vito Aiuto has never been shy about
his faith; an album title like Precious Remedies
MANDISA
Out of the Dark
Against Satan’s Devices (2012) deserves some
sort of truth-in-advertising award. He and
his wife Monique collaborated with producer
Jeremy MacDonald to offer another round of
quirky indie acoustic pop along the lines of Belle
and Sebastian, or Anathallo. They continue
“Yesterday had me knocked to the ground… and
I dropped out of sight… it’s been a while since
anybody’s seen me smiling.” Whoa! The album
opens with a procession of increasingly alarmed
friends leaving messages on Mandisa’s answering
machine, expressing their friendship in the midst
of her crippling bout of depression and binge
eating. This is no “God loves me, so everything
is great” Christian album. The song titles (Out of
the Dark; I’m Still Here; Unfinished; Comeback
Kid; Keep Getting Up) tell the tale, but as with
many of King David’s psalms, the lyrics of even
the darkest songs end on a positive note. It’s not
all introspection, though; Mandisa also tackles
contemporary social issues. “Bleed the Same”
begins with a spoken word intro by Kirk Franklin
to embody the combination of whimsy and
profundity characterizing their early producer
and booster Sufjan Stevens. This album has
fewer Sufjanesque twee song titles than its
predecessor, but “Galatians 2:20” and “HC01” (a
musified excerpt from Zacharias Ursinus’ beautiful
Heidelberg Catechism of 1563) announce music
that’s not only conversant with Christianity but
eager to discuss it. Highlight: The low-fi rocker “All
These Trees.”
Fans of Switchfoot, needtobreathe, and For King
and Country should check out the second album
from this Georgia quintet. Moving away from the
Casting Crowns/Rascal Flatts sound of their 2015
debut, they drop the country influences in favour
of a clean pop/rock sound, a brisk 34 minute ride
over ten tracks which leaves us wanting more. The
title track, “Farewell Fear,” and “Get Down,” (a call
to prayer) launch us into the album with a mix of
hooky rhythms and bluesy guitar licks reminiscent
of early Maroon 5. “Happy Ever After” is a prayer
for the restoration of a marriage on the rocks,
while “Faithful” celebrates mundane domesticity.
MATTHEW WEST
All In “It Is Well” riffs off of the famous hymn to
For his tenth album, West delivers the biblically Only “Dance” falters lyrically with its facile solution
centered perspective fans have come to know to life’s distresses, but a Daft Punk disco beat
and love. “Grace is a kingdom with gates open salvages it musically.
October 2017
contemplate God’s faithfulness through adversity.
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