by Rontourage I was fortunate to be sent a special streaming version of the entire album by the record label two days ago and I was very excited to get access to this because I've been a fan of Amy's since Age to Age. (For transparency: I'm in the music business but have no financial stake in anything Amy does or in her label, promo partners, I haven't been hired to promote this project, etc. -- my only tie to this project is as a fan). The album is stunning. If you are a fan of Amy's then let me tell you it has all of the trademark qualities that you've come to love and expect from this iconic storyteller: poignant lyrics, that gorgeous rasp, an acoustic pop sensibility with an original approach and, of course, lessons to be learned about love, life, loss, hope, faith in people and in the universe, acceptance, courage and living in the moment. If there are 5 tracks from any new CD that stand out in my mind immediately then that album gets two thumbs up from me. "Mercy" (and I've been listening to it non-stop for two days), I guess, then would get 4 thumbs up because I've found myself so connected to almost every track (except #11 which isn't full of depth but certainly full of hope…). There are songs on this album that will become signature songs of hers a la Father's Eyes, Baby Baby, Lead Me On and they include: Better Not to Know (gut-wrenching, tenderly delivered with hubby Vince providing tight, angelic harmonies), Shovel in Hand (a song of a mother watching her 19 year old son bury one of his friends "With Shovel in Hand, I see the bullet-proof boy turn into a broken man"), Deep as it is Wide (one of the best songs Amy has ever recorded (I'm serious) and it features amazing three-part harmonies and take-a-turn lead vocals from Sheryl Crow and rising country star Eric Palsay), the title track reminds you of "Lead Me On" as she puts us in the shoes of a 91-year-old woman who lost everything but survived the floods, of her own father's as his mind is ravaged by dementia, etc. to show us how mercy looks from here, Our Time is Now (trademark, upbeat, feel good about living in the moment and backed by amazing harmonies from non other than legendary Carole King), Here (letting us know loved ones no longer on this Earth and a higher power is everywhere…."I am here in the dark, i'm the music in your heart, i'm the song in every corner of the sky, I'm here, here, here"), "Not Giving Up" (I'm not giving up, not giving up on you, you can say you've had enough but that's not gonna stop me from calling, I wish you could see the way you look to me"), "If I Could See (What angels See)" starts the journey off with a trademark rockin' anthem with a driving beat, "Don't Try So Hard" the lead single which includes the sweet harmonies of James Taylor -- i thought at first this is one of the weaker songs and shouldn't have been the lead single but as I truly listened to it again I realized that the simplicity of the production and the stirring lyrics set up what she wants to tell us -- life isn't (or doesn't have to be) loud and overproduced and earth shattering … the more simple we make the arrangement, the more we hear and feel the words -- the more we get out of life when all the stuff that doesn't truly matter is stripped away. It's an unpredictable song from one of the most insightful music makers and storytellers of our time -- after all, part of what we've come to expect from her that unpredictable-ness (is that a word?), isn't it? Even writing this review finds me in tears throughout as I continue to absorb the lessons -- without judgment, without Bible thumping -- not only is she on our side but she's by our side just trying to learn what she can as life happens. She continues to lead by example and I feel very fortunate that I grew up with her in my life through the good and the bad. This deserves to be listened to by as many people as possible because this world needs to reconnect. Get past the "Christian artist vs. Pop Artist" because Amy Grant and How Mercy Looks from Here are what the world is lacking. I just heard Amy say in an interview, "Life is good in spite of -- and sometimes because of -- the hard times." Thank you, Amy Grant. by wjstull I can't be more pleased with what I've heard so far. This album speaks to me very deeply. It is truly a piece of beautiful art...production, songcrafting, vocal sincerity. I can't be more ecstatic about this new record. Definitely one of my lifetime favorites. Stand out tracks for me are "Deep As It Is Wide," "How Mercy Looks from Here," "Better Not to Know," and I love the bonus tracks. by clay2c47 I have been waiting for years for this album. I have every album Amy has ever done and her music has become a major part of the tapestry that has woven through my life's soundtrack. On top of my excitement and anticipation for this album, I am even more thrilled to find out that Sheryl Crow, one of my other all-time favorites, is featured in one of the tracks. This album just keeps getting better. I cannot wait until May 14th!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment