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Coming Up To Breathe |
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MercyMe
Coming Up To Breathe
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks
Street Date: April 25, 2006
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MercyMe has a success story so many young bands can only dream about: gold and
platinum certified records, astronomically huge radio hits (including the breakout "I Can Only Imagine"
as well as "Word of God Speak"), jam-packed concerts, and a growing Dove Award collection all within only
a few years. So what would most find as the next logical step? Follow the same formula to build upon an
already impressive track record? Release a greatest hits record and call it a day? Neither of those
seemed to fit just right. Instead, MercyMe made a change in direction, headed back to the studio to
rediscover their "rock roots," and crafted together a project, for the most part, unlike anything we've
heard from them so far.
Produced by music veteran Brown Bannister, Coming Up To Breathe just may be that breath of
fresh air MercyMe seems to be longing for. While the Texas-based band has always displayed quality
musicianship paired with the strong vocals of frontman Bart Millard, things appear to be a bit different
this time around, still keeping those qualities intact. The title track is one indicator of this,
showing Millard and Co.'s readiness to break free from any chains that have been holding them and explore
new territory singing, "I'm in way too deep again/ I've forgotten how to swim/ I can't tell which way is
up or down/ Save me before I drown down here/ I just need some help... I've held my breath for all my life/
And I am breaking free tonight/ And I'm coming up to breathe."
Lead single "So Long Self" is one the best tracks Coming Up To Breathe has to offer. With a
lyrical hook sure to have radio listeners singing along, this song finds Millard bidding farewell to
sinful nature and moving closer to Christ ("So long self/ It's been fun but I have found Somebody else/
So long self/ There's just no room for two so you are going to have to move... Farewell, oh well,
goodbye, don't cry/ So long self"). Another impressive number, "Last One Standing," is one of
Coming Up...'s edgier, standout tunes showing off a different side to the six-member outfit
we've come to know. "No More, No Less" is rather unique considering it sounds something similar to the
standard pop/rock fare favored by Christian radio, but takes a rather surprising turn by ending with a
gospel-influenced choir singing underneath Millard's voice. Other noteworthy tracks include the southern
rock inspired "One Trick Pony," the witty "3:42 A.M," and the worshipful "Bring The Rain." Of course, it
wouldn't be a true MercyMe album without that show-stopping, "I Can Only Imagine"-type ballad. In this
case, "I Would Die For You" fills the almost obligatory spot with enough emotion to follow in the
footsteps of the aforementioned hit.
Coming Up To Breathe is an undeniably strong project from MercyMe. Nevertheless, it does
have its slight flaws. Occasionally the lyrics from the latest batch of songs seem to be predictable.
That's not to say the whole album comes off with that "overused" feeling; in fact, some places display
some of the best songwriting we have heard from the band so far. It's just those few disappointing spots
that seem all the more unfortunate because we know what the band is capable of penning.
MercyMe's fresh new sound and approach gives Coming Up To Breathe the potential to collect
several more number one singles and be one of 2006's best new releases. So where are they headed next?
We can only imagine.
- Review date: 4/22/06, written by Lauren Summerford
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Album Info, Track List, & Sound Clips
Record Label: INO Records
Album length: 13 tracks
Street Date: April 25, 2006
Buy It: JfH Music Store
- Coming Up to Breathe
- So Long Self
- Hold Fast
- Something About You
- You're to Blame
- No More No Less
- Where I Belong
- Bring the Rain
- Last One Standing
- One Trick Pony
- 3:42 AM
- Safe and Sound
- I Would Die For You
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The Christmas Sessions |
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MercyMe
The Christmas Sessions
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 44 minutes, 53 seconds
Street Date: September 27, 2005
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Christmastime is hard not to like. Every year around the holiday season, carolers stroll from block to
block, buildings are covered with strings of bright lights and homes are filled with joyous music
celebrating this special time of year. Everyone seems to be in the Christmas spirit, and often you may
find yourself singing without even realizing it. For many, the Christmas season is never long enough, and
some can be heard humming the tune of "White Christmas" long after New Year's Day has passed. Christmas
also means the release of new holiday records by many popular artists, and this year, MercyMe makes
their contribution with The Christmas Sessions.
The Christmas Sessions is a collection of classic and modern holiday carols that warm your
heart and put a smile on your face. Lead singer Bart Millard's smooth, soothing vocals are perfect for the
mood of the songs, while the instrumental "Away In A Manger" is a beautifully simplistic expression that
adds that "special something" to the record.
One distinct thing that MercyMe does in their songs is add the presence of instruments like trombone,
trumpet, and mandolin. They make several songs more unique instead of resembling every other version of
"Winter Wonderland" you've heard. One of the highlights of the album is "Joseph's Lullaby," an exceptional
song that stands out from the rest with its sincere lyrics and elegant strings. The rest of album also has
a great variety; no two songs sound alike. From the passionate "Little Drummer Boy" to "Silent Night" to
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," the selections here never grow boring.
Not enough can be said about this outstanding effort from MercyMe. The album seems a bit out of
character for the group at some points, but their willingness to take a risk definitely pays off in the end.
The band should be proud of what should be a very successful release. The Christmas Sessions will make a
great addition to your holiday collection, but listen with caution; you may find yourself spinning this
disc all the way into the month of February.
- Review date: 9/24/05, written by Spencer Priest
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Album Info, Track List, & Sound Clips
Record Label: INO Records
Album length: 12 tracks, 44 minutes and 53 seconds
Street Date: September 27, 2005
Buy It: JfH Music Store
- It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
- Gloria
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
- Winter Wonderland/White Christmas
- Christmas Time Is Here
- Silent Night
- Away In A Manger
- Little Drummer Boy
- I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
- O Holy Night
- Joseph's Lullaby
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Undone |
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MercyMe
Undone
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 47 minutes, 39 seconds
Street Date: April 20, 2004
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MercyMe has found a formula that works. With their first album, Almost There, their formula
garnered them three Doves awards, including song of the year and songwriter of the year. But, by far, their
biggest accomplishment was the ironic and amazing success of their Song of the Year "I Can Only Imagine."
Who would have thought that a song so blatantly Christian (Even addressing "Jesus" by name) would become the
secular success it has?
MercyMe’s much anticipated second release Spoken For followed this formula to a tee, garnering them
five Dove nominations at this year’s award show. Both of their first two albums can also be found on Billboard’s
Top 200.
So, when you have a formula that works for you so well, what exactly do you do? Do you stay on course, but try
and mature in different areas that need it? Or do you stay in your creative bubble, sticking to what has obviously
worked for you in the past. On Undone, they, unfortunately, lean toward the latter.
Frankly,
this is the same stuff they were doing three years and two albums ago.
But, as stated, it’s a winning
formula. So this is both a blessing and a curse. If you’re a diehard
MercyMe fan, this disc will be music to your ears. But for those of us
who long for change (Not drastic ones, mind you. But small, significant
ones.), Undone seems redundant. It’s still good, but it’s beginning to become stale.
There’s
no denying the talent and the love for God that is present in the music
and lyrics, as always, on MercyMe’s latest outing. But they need to
start thinking a little out of the box. Even the band responsible for
one of the most popular CCM songs of all time can use some improvement
here and there. Fans of MercyMe will not be disappointed, but there’s
no denying that Undone has, indeed, been done before.
- Review date: 04/18/04, written by Josh Taylor
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Album Info, Track List, & Sound Clips
Artist Info: Discography
Record Label: INO Records
Album length: 13 tracks, 47 minutes and 39 seconds
Street Date: April 20, 2004
- Where You Lead Me
- Everything Impossible
- Here with Me
- In the Blink of an Eye
- Unaware
- Homesick
- When You Spoke My Name
- A Million Miles Away
- Caught Up in the Middle
- Never Alone
- Undone
- Shine On
- Keep Singing
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