|
Style: Pop-laced worship
Top tracks: "Alive Again," "You Were on the Cross," "Christ Has Risen"
In a nutshell: Discriminating ears long for intelligent worship songs cut from slightly darker cloth, and Matt Maher heeds that cry with an unselfconscious sophomore effort. Though steadily uplifting and at times corporate ("Shout of the King"), elsewhere the Catholic theologian ambles into introspective, piano-pop territory and bares his soul, confessing reality slipping from his grasp on "Alive Again," and wondering if blaming someone else for his pain "would make my life seem easier" on standout "You Were on the Cross." "Hold Us Together" has a folksy, acoustic charm, while organic ballads "Flesh and Bone" and "Garden" reveal Maher's raw depth. On the heels of safer hits like 2008's "Your Grace Is Enough," Maher successfully brings movement to stagnant worship circles.
Copyright © 2009 Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineI Wanted a Bigger God Than My Hindu Guru OfferedAs my doubts about his teachings grew, so did a secret fascination with Jesus.
- Editor's PickDied: Mandisa, ‘Overcomer’ Singer and American Idol StarThe Grammy-winning artist was found dead at her home in Nashville at age 47.