| The On-Line Music Review & Information Ministry |
| John Waller |
|
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]
The Blessing
[Release Date: March 6, 2007] (Record Company)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
4.0 out of 4
3.0 out of 3
2.0 out of 2
1.0 out of 1
10.0 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 100% A+ |
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?
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. 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+!
Closing Thoughts:
[Added: March 6, 2008]
It's been nearly a year since John Waller released his major label debut record
and even though we didn't have the 'Writers' Closing Thoughts' in the first
publishing of the review, I thought I would go back and add one.
Since we posted this review March 5, 2006, we have had the opportunity to meet
John and become friends and supporters of his music ministry. Despite being
overlooked by Christian radio, I have told John on several occasions in person
and in e-mail, "Don't worry about that brother, you keep on keeping on for the
Lord and He will bless you." It's the artists that truly bring forth great ministering
music that are often overlooked.
John will be releasing his sophomore album, While I'm Waiting April 7, 2009, so
keep an eye out for that one! If you haven't picked up a copy of this CD yet, I
would suggest doing so. If you like groups like Casting Crowns, then John
Waller would fit perfect into your musical tastes.
'The Blessing' indeed lives up to it's title, in that the message of the album, we
pray will be a blessing to all who listen to it! Enjoy!
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?
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. 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+!
Closing Thoughts:
[Added: March 6, 2008]
It's been nearly a year since John Waller released his major label debut record
and even though we didn't have the 'Writers' Closing Thoughts' in the first
publishing of the review, I thought I would go back and add one.
Since we posted this review March 5, 2006, we have had the opportunity to meet
John and become friends and supporters of his music ministry. Despite being
overlooked by Christian radio, I have told John on several occasions in person
and in e-mail, "Don't worry about that brother, you keep on keeping on for the
Lord and He will bless you." It's the artists that truly bring forth great ministering
music that are often overlooked.
John will be releasing his sophomore album, While I'm Waiting April 7, 2009, so
keep an eye out for that one! If you haven't picked up a copy of this CD yet, I
would suggest doing so. If you like groups like Casting Crowns, then John
Waller would fit perfect into your musical tastes.
'The Blessing' indeed lives up to it's title, in that the message of the album, we
pray will be a blessing to all who listen to it! Enjoy!
Review Written By: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: March 5, 2007
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Main Review & Closing Thoughts
+ Kevin Davis
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