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  Apparently
the mothers referred to by this album's title are all staunch Mormon
Tabernacle Choir fans who wouldn't dream of listening to Christian
pop or rock. When I saw this title, I expected groups like the indefinable
Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, and some strongly alternative Christian
Rock like the stuff Mark Hansen puts out. Instead we get a mostly
safe (but good) selection of the artists from the Shadow Mountain
label. I'd argue that Excel Entertainment does a much better job
of capturing edgy LDS artists.
Nevertheless, Deseret takes a stab at producing some edgier stuff.
The majority of the material was previously released on other Shadow
Mountain albums. Providence is the only group with previously unreleased
music.
"Falling into Freedom's Arms" Providence kicks off the
album with their pop quartet stylings.
This is a much stronger showing for them than their other sneak
peek appearance.
"Deeper Still" is a single released by Jericho Road after
their sophomore album "True North" and it's a great song
with an uptempo feel.
"Believe" is from Cherie Call's album "He Gives Flowers
to Everyone" and it's a peppy, upbeat and uplifting song both
in music and lyrics. It deserves some radio play.
"You Surround Me" is from Katherine Nelson's album debut
"Sometimes He Lets it Rain." This song is set at a slower
speed and it speaks of how we can feel His love all around us.
"You Melt The Madness" This is probably my favorite song
from Jericho Road's "True North" album. Also a slower
song, it speaks eloquently of Christ's role as a peacemaker. I'm
not sure which member sings the solo but it's done exceptionally
well.
"What Did He Die For?" In a wonderful tribute, Producer
Kenny Hodges talks Hilary Weeks to cover a Twila Paris song. Hodges
once confided in me that he felt Weeks was most like Paris of all
the mainstream Christian artists on the market. If the lyrics of
this song don't bring tears to your eyes, I'd argue that you need
to slow down your life long enough to feel something again and this
song should help you do that.
"His Love Is a Circle" is a peppy offering from Providence
that features some great harmonies and a catchy beat. I predict
that this one will get some radio play.
"Somebody Else's Shoes" is from Cherie Call's album "The
Ocean in Me" and it's a chipper piece that proclaims that she's
no longer "walking too long in somebody else's shoes."
"A New Day" is from Jericho Road's "True North"
album. This is the kind of edgy sound I think the album was striving
for. Heavily produced with lots of techno-pop and pizzazz, it forces
you on your feet to dance along. I'd lose the strings at the beginning
and at the bridge though. They're incongruous with the rest of the
song.
"Follow Jesus There" is also from Katherine Nelson's debut.
This song has some pep to it, almost too much for the message of
the song. But the message outweighs the music so I'd declare this
one as pretty good.
"More Like A Whisper" is a duet by Hilary Weeks and Brett
Raymond and it speaks of how often the answers we receive from heaven
are "more like a whisper."
"The Ocean In Me" is Cherie Call's title track from the
album of the same name. I love the depth of the lyrics in this song.
Not only is the song upbeat, the lyrics make you really think about
your potential in His eyes. Fantastic song.
"Hold It Up To The Light" is the opening track on Jeff
McLean's "Something's Changed." This song is a weird blend
of upbeat music and lyrics that seem to belong at a slower speed.
It's a strange song and not the best of his album but it works in
this context.
"Stand For God" is sung by Katherine Nelson and is slightly
uptempo with some good guitar licks in a few spots.
Overall, this album is uptempo in mood and pacing. As far as a sampler
album goes, this album is a good one. It just has a misleading name.
From a critic's standpoint, it doesn't take enough risks in its
choice of music. However, for someone looking for a good value,
the fact that it picks songs from seven separate albums is worth
noting. I rate the album 4 stars.
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Dacia
A. Blodgett-Williams
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1.
Providence - Falling Into Freedom's Arms
2. Jericho Road - Deeper Still
3. Cherie Call - Believe
4. Katherine Nelson - You Surround Me
5. Jericho Road - You Melt The Madness
6. Hilary Weeks - What Did He Die For?
7. Providence - His Love Is A Circle
8. Cherie Call - Somebody Else's Shoes
9. Jericho Road - A New Day
10. Katherine Nelson - Follow Jesus There
11. Hilary Weeks & Bret Raymond - More Like A Whisper
12. Cherie Call - The Ocean In Me
13. Jeff McLean - Hold It Up To The Light
14. Katherine Nelson - Stand For God
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