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| OUR ENTIRE SITE HERE ! |
{ }
| ALBUM REVIEW |
| John Waller |
| 'The Blessing' |
| Album Review Added: March 5, 2007 |
| Reviewed by: Jay Heilman jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org |
| Release Date: March 6, 2007 ~ Beachstreet Records [www.beachstreetrecords.com] |
Track Listing
1. Calling For A Flood [Listen]
2. Identity [Listen]
3. The Blessing [Listen]
4. Still Calls Me Son [Listen]
5. Ancient Words [Listen]
6. Breathe On Me [Listen]
7. Love To Say Your Name [Listen]
8. While I'm Waiting [Listen]
9. Something Big [Listen]
10. Sacred Pages [Listen]
2. Identity [Listen]
3. The Blessing [Listen]
4. Still Calls Me Son [Listen]
5. Ancient Words [Listen]
6. Breathe On Me [Listen]
7. Love To Say Your Name [Listen]
8. While I'm Waiting [Listen]
9. Something Big [Listen]
10. Sacred Pages [Listen]
Total Time: [45:55]
|
| Click here to buy this album |
| 100% (A+) |
| Total 10.0 Points |
It’s not everyday that you come across a debut album that has such an impact on you that you have to
question, are you sure this is a new artist? That is just the case with worship leader and new artist, John
Waller. Waller was singing with his indie group, According To John when Casting Crowns lead singer and
songwriter Mark Hall happened to come across his songwriting. Hall then made it a point to sign Waller to
his band’s own label, Beach Street Records. In my opinion, it was definitely a good signing. It is apparent
by listening through ‘The Blessing’, Waller will around for a while. So let’s go ahead and get into the
music. That’s what you’re here for right? J
The first track “Calling For A Flood”, which references John 3:30, where the Apostle John says, “He must
increase and I must decrease”. This brings the idea of a holy flood cleansing our lives of the sin that
constantly gets in the way of the Lord’s plan for us. Increasing the Holy Spirit in our lives, in other words
flooding our wrong from within us, will therefore decrease ourselves to live in the Lord’s will. The music
of “Identity” caught me on first cue and kept my attention. Good rock hooks and guitars. The song title
speaks for itself. Our identity lies in the Lord. “I’m not the one I used to be/Cause no there is no
separating/You… from who I am.” See, you don’t have to worry, not only does the Lord know you, but
also your identity is within Him. “The Blessing” was the first song I heard, which I heard on John’s
MySpace page prior to getting the pre-release. I really like the message behind this song. One line in the
chorus says a lot about our lives. “Every blessing and curse is a choice now”. Wow, this is so true. We
have the choice whether to be blessed or cursed in life. It’s up to us as to which one we choose.
Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall sings in the song (which is cool!), and the first verse he sings made me feel good
while listening to the song. “Let it be said of us, that our hearts belong to Jesus/Let it be said of us,
that we spoke the words of life/Let it be said of us that our heritage is a blessing for life”. The song
references Deuteronomy 30:19, which says “…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life”. Great message!
Track four, “Still Calls Me Son”, has had a tremendous personal effect and has ministered to me more then
any other song I have ever heard! I was riding down the road one day with my wife, and I was listening to
the song, and while listening to it, I was pointing out to her the message behind the song. At the end, I
told her “This song just makes me feel…” Then I started to cry. I couldn’t control myself, I just wept! I
didn’t know what had come over me, but never in my three years of writing have I ever felt like this. The
song’s message is none other then the story of the Prodigal Son. Now whether it’s comparable to John’s
own life story or not, I don’t know. But it really hit me, because at times in my Christian walk I have felt
just like this. When I think of the sacrifice Christ made for me, I ask the Lord, how am I even worthy of
the Salvation I have today? It really put in perspective my life personally, and I pray that the song
ministers to listeners in the way it did with me. “Ancient Words” is another song that has an amazing
chorus! It just got me thinking. “By His blood we can enter in/To the blessing of Abraham/So place your
right hand upon our heads/And speak the ancient words.” With a direct reference to Salvation, and the
blood that was shed so that we may have it, really sheds light on that fact that there’s only one way to
Heaven.
The album is full of great songs, and of course great messages. The other tracks on the album were great,
with the last track closing out the album with applause. “Sacred Pages”, written partly by Waller, and also
taking from the hymn “Rock Of Ages”, sums up an album that will definitely be one that people will be
talking about for years to come.
John Waller is definitely an artist that you will want to keep an eye on in 2007. I wouldn’t be one bit
surprised if 2008 garners him a Dove Award nomination for ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘Best Album’. Mark my
words. J You will see. So bottom line, if you are looking for an exciting CD with not only a great
message, but also great music to accompany it, then you have to go out and pick this one up. You won’t
be disappointed. This one is definitely worthy of a 100%, A+!
question, are you sure this is a new artist? That is just the case with worship leader and new artist, John
Waller. Waller was singing with his indie group, According To John when Casting Crowns lead singer and
songwriter Mark Hall happened to come across his songwriting. Hall then made it a point to sign Waller to
his band’s own label, Beach Street Records. In my opinion, it was definitely a good signing. It is apparent
by listening through ‘The Blessing’, Waller will around for a while. So let’s go ahead and get into the
music. That’s what you’re here for right? J
The first track “Calling For A Flood”, which references John 3:30, where the Apostle John says, “He must
increase and I must decrease”. This brings the idea of a holy flood cleansing our lives of the sin that
constantly gets in the way of the Lord’s plan for us. Increasing the Holy Spirit in our lives, in other words
flooding our wrong from within us, will therefore decrease ourselves to live in the Lord’s will. The music
of “Identity” caught me on first cue and kept my attention. Good rock hooks and guitars. The song title
speaks for itself. Our identity lies in the Lord. “I’m not the one I used to be/Cause no there is no
separating/You… from who I am.” See, you don’t have to worry, not only does the Lord know you, but
also your identity is within Him. “The Blessing” was the first song I heard, which I heard on John’s
MySpace page prior to getting the pre-release. I really like the message behind this song. One line in the
chorus says a lot about our lives. “Every blessing and curse is a choice now”. Wow, this is so true. We
have the choice whether to be blessed or cursed in life. It’s up to us as to which one we choose.
Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall sings in the song (which is cool!), and the first verse he sings made me feel good
while listening to the song. “Let it be said of us, that our hearts belong to Jesus/Let it be said of us,
that we spoke the words of life/Let it be said of us that our heritage is a blessing for life”. The song
references Deuteronomy 30:19, which says “…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life”. Great message!
Track four, “Still Calls Me Son”, has had a tremendous personal effect and has ministered to me more then
any other song I have ever heard! I was riding down the road one day with my wife, and I was listening to
the song, and while listening to it, I was pointing out to her the message behind the song. At the end, I
told her “This song just makes me feel…” Then I started to cry. I couldn’t control myself, I just wept! I
didn’t know what had come over me, but never in my three years of writing have I ever felt like this. The
song’s message is none other then the story of the Prodigal Son. Now whether it’s comparable to John’s
own life story or not, I don’t know. But it really hit me, because at times in my Christian walk I have felt
just like this. When I think of the sacrifice Christ made for me, I ask the Lord, how am I even worthy of
the Salvation I have today? It really put in perspective my life personally, and I pray that the song
ministers to listeners in the way it did with me. “Ancient Words” is another song that has an amazing
chorus! It just got me thinking. “By His blood we can enter in/To the blessing of Abraham/So place your
right hand upon our heads/And speak the ancient words.” With a direct reference to Salvation, and the
blood that was shed so that we may have it, really sheds light on that fact that there’s only one way to
Heaven.
The album is full of great songs, and of course great messages. The other tracks on the album were great,
with the last track closing out the album with applause. “Sacred Pages”, written partly by Waller, and also
taking from the hymn “Rock Of Ages”, sums up an album that will definitely be one that people will be
talking about for years to come.
John Waller is definitely an artist that you will want to keep an eye on in 2007. I wouldn’t be one bit
surprised if 2008 garners him a Dove Award nomination for ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘Best Album’. Mark my
words. J You will see. So bottom line, if you are looking for an exciting CD with not only a great
message, but also great music to accompany it, then you have to go out and pick this one up. You won’t
be disappointed. This one is definitely worthy of a 100%, A+!
Album Review
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