26th August, 2008

JUSTIN MICHAEL

Album: All That Is Within Me

Artist: MercyMe

Year: 2007
Label: INO
Web: www.mercyme.org
 
In A Word: Rich

"I’m gonna stick my neck out and say that artistically, this is the band’s most successful foray into the land of the Christian song."

So, just in time for the release of Bart Millard’s second solo effort, titled Hymned Again, comes my review of his bands most recent project...yes, it’s a tad delayed, but I’m gonna suggest it’s worth the wait!

Consider this first sentence the embodiment of the entire review; I like this album. It’s poppy, it’s rock, it’s got claps, disco, woo-hoo shout-outs, and moves comfortably between epic emotive orchestral strains and country-stroll kind of melodies. It is very, very good. There...done.

And in other news, I’m gonna stick my neck out and say that artistically, this is the band’s most successful foray into the land of the Christian song. To my ear it seems the band has pulled out their record collection of the last 50 years, taken the best bits and given it all a 2008 musical tweak. Add to this their well documented ability with punchy, meaningful lyrics and you’ve got yourself a great listen.

Time Has Come takes the disco-rock of today and adds a melody that slides beautifully into your brain for the rest of the day stating: "the time has come to raise our hearts as one and glorify the God of everything / we live our lives for knowing you know Christ / oh, we are children of the sovereign king".

There are themes of redemption in God Is With Us, admitting, "we are free / in ways that we never should be / sweet release / from the grip of these chains" and the chorus soars offering, "all that is within me crys / for you alone be glorified / Emmanuel / God with us".

Being often stuck somewhere between a pop and a praise and worship record is perhaps a good thing for a band who made their mark with I Can Only Imagine all those years ago. This effort sounds like the boys are determined to show us their other dimensions. There’s the Sheryl Crow-esque country groove of Alright, the multi-coloured Goodbye Ordinary, and the very apt closing country of Finally Home.

MercyMe are not just a worship band and they are not a one-song wonder (fans of the band need no convincing there) and for those who have never gone further than the one song, try this disc on your player.

Oh, and a post script to any promoters reading this...could someone PLEASE get these guys to Australia some time soon??