Main Review
French-Canadian singer/songwriter/techie Joel Augé's releases his 2nd album Invisible Things 2 years
after his debut, On The Blue. (I've heard "So Deep In Love" on CJYE frequently.) Interestingly enough,
there are no collaborations (songwriting-wise) on this CD. Auge's voice may remind some of Phil
Wickham, as he is given to wailing sometimes.
"Be Lifted" begins with nearly no warning and is a faster song than I expected. A song of praise that
changes audience between the verses and the chorus (congregation to God). The title track, "Invisible
Things" refers to faith in the unseen, and would probably be better off slow, too. "Promises" (I will never
leave or forsake you my child/There is nothing more I want than to be with you) is a list of God's to us, and
is alternately soothing and crying out.
"OK" makes use of a recurring line (But You stole my heart and now my heart’s ok) and has a
lullaby/ballad feel to it. I don't know why, but I imagine driving down an autumn road swirling with leaves
during this one. (I love the harps.) We all have a tendency to want to put God in a box, and pull him out
only when we need Him. But God will not be contained and should not be. "You And Your Things" is a
reminder to make a place for God that has a minimum but no maximum. Our identity in and inseparable
from Christ is the subject of "You Found Me".
A tender departure from the God-addressed lyrics is "Addison", not a tribute to Addison Road, but Auge's
baby daughter. His music has been used before in movies and commercials, and this is one that has
real potential for a baby ad. Two "love" songs follow; "Show Your Love" is a hands and feet song, without
using that phrase, while "Here To Love" is a song of surrender, a committment to holy service. The
background vocals don't do enough for it; I can easily imagine this being covered by Hillsong United.
"Reach Out", the shortest song lyrically, is vague; it never mentions God by name ("You can be sure that
someone has an answer/Someone has the answer you’re looking for" [who??!!]), but thankfully, the
album ends on a long worship note, with the 6:38 minute "Save Me", which fades away on a sea of
chorus, piano, and violins. That might have a bigger impact live, interspersed with shouts and cheers, but
I wish it had a little more to it, lyrically.
Closing Thoughts
Invisible Things is an album that, although it has its moments, still leaves me wondering if it would have
been better with more outside input. Favortie tracks: "Promises" and "Invisible Things".
Review Written By: Laura Chambers [laura.chambers@christianmusicreview.org] on July 3, 2010
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