| The On-Line Music Review & Information Ministry |
| Mandisa |
|
1. My Deliverer
2. How Much
3. He Is With You
4. Definition of Me
5. Not Guilty
6. Leave It In The Valley
7. Victorious
8. Broken Hallelujah
9. Freedom Song
10. Dance, Dance, Dance
11. You Wouldn't Cry
2. How Much
3. He Is With You
4. Definition of Me
5. Not Guilty
6. Leave It In The Valley
7. Victorious
8. Broken Hallelujah
9. Freedom Song
10. Dance, Dance, Dance
11. You Wouldn't Cry
Freedom
[Release Date: March 24, 2009] (Sparrow Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
3.7 out of 4
2.6 out of 3
2.0 out of 2
1.0 out of 1
9.3 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 93% A- |
Mandisa has enjoyed quite a bit of fame and accolades in her brief career. Having been
nominated for Dove and Grammy Awards, working with the elite in Christian music and
using her own life as an inspiration to woman all around the world, she now releases
Freedom, the follow-up to her hugely successful debut True Beauty. Freedom offers
fans a new perspective of Mandisa who has amazingly slimmed down and lost 70
pounds! When I was reading a press release of the comments that American Idol Simon
Cowell made to her on live television regarding her weight, I was appalled. I don’t
watch Idol regularly, but from what I noticed, Cowell has no room to talk. He always
looks like he just woke up and threw on whatever t-shirt that just happens to be closest!
I really liked her response to him, in which he did apologize and I am sure embarassed
himself. She said "What I want to say to you is that, yes, you hurt me and I cried and it
was painful, it really was. But I want you to know that I've forgiven you and that you
don't need someone to apologize in order to forgive somebody. I figure that if Jesus
could die so that all of my wrongs could be forgiven, I can certainly extend that same
grace to you." Wow, on national television too!
I wasn’t too familiar with Mandisa before listening through to Freedom, but I have to say
after listening through I can see what all the hype is about with her. She definitely has
the talent and it shows throughout the album. I think the first track and debut single,
“My Deliverer” is done very well. No matter what struggles we deal with in life, we’re
delivered through our faith and trust in Christ. This theme I think continues into the
track, “He is With You”. Christ has delivered us, but is also with us in those tough
times.
Another track that struck me was “Definition of Me”. I think it’s important that she
writes on this, because though looks can be most people’s lasting impression of
someone, I think Mandisa’s voice is what separates her from everyone else. We’re also
as individuals defined in Christ. So we all work as different parts of the body of Christ,
we’re all defined individually.
Some of the other tracks touched on great subjects, reminding us of the debt paid for us
by Christ in “Not Guilty”; leaving our cares and concerns behind as we climb the
mountain in “Leave It in the Valley” and living our lives knowing that Jesus has defeated
the world in “Victorious”.
I think “Broken Hallelujah” has to be the most emotional and heartfelt song on the album.
It reminds us that know matter where we are in our walk, no matter how dark the road
seems to be, we can know that we can still give honor and praise to God through our
brokenness, a broken ‘praise the Lord’ or ‘Hallelujah’. I absolutely love her voice on this
song, very, very good.
“Freedom Song” has to be the most energetic songs on the album along with “Dance,
Dance, Dance”, sounding reminiscent of some of Kirk Franklin and Israel and New
Breed’s older material. The song title speaks for itself, really epitomizing what the album
is all about.
Closing Thoughts:
I think the vocals on Freedom were amazing, showcasing the God-given talent that
Mandisa possesses. It’s funny, because I have always been more of a fan of the hard-
rock scene then the pop and R&B, so as strange as this sounds, I really saw this album
as a breathe of fresh air. It took me away from what I was familiar with and introduced
me to a style of music that I wouldn’t normally listen to. I think fans of all genres
should take a listen to this album; it’s definitely worth spending a little time getting into.
nominated for Dove and Grammy Awards, working with the elite in Christian music and
using her own life as an inspiration to woman all around the world, she now releases
Freedom, the follow-up to her hugely successful debut True Beauty. Freedom offers
fans a new perspective of Mandisa who has amazingly slimmed down and lost 70
pounds! When I was reading a press release of the comments that American Idol Simon
Cowell made to her on live television regarding her weight, I was appalled. I don’t
watch Idol regularly, but from what I noticed, Cowell has no room to talk. He always
looks like he just woke up and threw on whatever t-shirt that just happens to be closest!
I really liked her response to him, in which he did apologize and I am sure embarassed
himself. She said "What I want to say to you is that, yes, you hurt me and I cried and it
was painful, it really was. But I want you to know that I've forgiven you and that you
don't need someone to apologize in order to forgive somebody. I figure that if Jesus
could die so that all of my wrongs could be forgiven, I can certainly extend that same
grace to you." Wow, on national television too!
I wasn’t too familiar with Mandisa before listening through to Freedom, but I have to say
after listening through I can see what all the hype is about with her. She definitely has
the talent and it shows throughout the album. I think the first track and debut single,
“My Deliverer” is done very well. No matter what struggles we deal with in life, we’re
delivered through our faith and trust in Christ. This theme I think continues into the
track, “He is With You”. Christ has delivered us, but is also with us in those tough
times.
Another track that struck me was “Definition of Me”. I think it’s important that she
writes on this, because though looks can be most people’s lasting impression of
someone, I think Mandisa’s voice is what separates her from everyone else. We’re also
as individuals defined in Christ. So we all work as different parts of the body of Christ,
we’re all defined individually.
Some of the other tracks touched on great subjects, reminding us of the debt paid for us
by Christ in “Not Guilty”; leaving our cares and concerns behind as we climb the
mountain in “Leave It in the Valley” and living our lives knowing that Jesus has defeated
the world in “Victorious”.
I think “Broken Hallelujah” has to be the most emotional and heartfelt song on the album.
It reminds us that know matter where we are in our walk, no matter how dark the road
seems to be, we can know that we can still give honor and praise to God through our
brokenness, a broken ‘praise the Lord’ or ‘Hallelujah’. I absolutely love her voice on this
song, very, very good.
“Freedom Song” has to be the most energetic songs on the album along with “Dance,
Dance, Dance”, sounding reminiscent of some of Kirk Franklin and Israel and New
Breed’s older material. The song title speaks for itself, really epitomizing what the album
is all about.
Closing Thoughts:
I think the vocals on Freedom were amazing, showcasing the God-given talent that
Mandisa possesses. It’s funny, because I have always been more of a fan of the hard-
rock scene then the pop and R&B, so as strange as this sounds, I really saw this album
as a breathe of fresh air. It took me away from what I was familiar with and introduced
me to a style of music that I wouldn’t normally listen to. I think fans of all genres
should take a listen to this album; it’s definitely worth spending a little time getting into.
Review Written By: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: March 15, 2009
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