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| MercyMe |
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1. Here With Me
2. So Long Self
3. God With Us
4. I Can Only Imagine
5. Word of God Speak
6. You Reign
7. In The Blink Of An Eye
8. Hold Fast
2. So Long Self
3. God With Us
4. I Can Only Imagine
5. Word of God Speak
6. You Reign
7. In The Blink Of An Eye
8. Hold Fast
10
[Release Date: April 7, 2009] (INO Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
9. Spoken For
10. Homesick
11. Bring The Rain
12. Finally Home
13. I Can Only Imagine (London Symphony Version)
14. Only Temporary
15. Ten Simple Rules
10. Homesick
11. Bring The Rain
12. Finally Home
13. I Can Only Imagine (London Symphony Version)
14. Only Temporary
15. Ten Simple Rules
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
3.9 out of 4
2.7 out of 3
2.0 out of 2
0.7 out of 1
9.3 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 93% A- |
It has been 10 years since MercyMe front-man Bart Millard penned “I Can Only
Imagine,” a touchingly personal song based on his father’s early death. It has sold more
than 2 million units, crossed over into multiple radio formats, and been adopted as an
anthem by hurting people around the world.
To celebrate the epic anniversary of one of the most popular and powerful songs in
Christian music history, MercyMe is releasing “10”, a must-have new CD/DVD set. The
CD features 12 of MercyMe’s best-loved songs spanning their five studio releases as
well as three bonus tracks—including a new recording of “I Can Only Imagine” with the
London Symphony Orchestra, the never-released track “Only Temporary,” plus the kids’
tune “10 Simple Rules.” The DVD contains both live and concept videos of all their best
songs.
The best opinion I can share about this collection comes from my nine year old daughter
Natalie as we were watching the DVD together she asked me with intense interest: “they
(MercyMe) really wrote and sang all of these songs?” She had heard all twelve ‘greatest
hits’, including eleven #1 hit songs before and was surprised that so many hit songs
were recorded by the same band. As a fan of this band for the past decade I gladly
shared with her that yes, MercyMe did in fact write and record all of these songs,
making them one of the premier Christian artists. What’s amazing to me as a fan of
MercyMe is how many songs I love that aren’t on the collection including “Here Am I”,
“Love Of God”, “Keep Singing”, “You’re To Blame” and “Sanctified”. This is a truly
great collection of songs. I like the mix as well, blending hit songs from “All That Is
Within Me” (2007), “Coming Up To Breathe” (2006), “Undone” (2004), “Spoken For”
(2003) and “Almost There” (2001). Rather than as a chronology, the songs are mixed
almost by theme with songs about self-reflection, praise and worship and then personal
prayer-songs.
I also liked the 3 additional songs, however I prefer the original or acoustic versions of “I
Can Only Imagine” over the London Symphony version. The other 2 songs are nice
rarities and the children’s song “10 Simple Rules” is a neat and catchy song about the
“10 Commandments”. The DVD is also great for collectors. In the same order as the
CD, the songs are shown either as live performances or the music video accordingly.
The concept video for “Here Am I” is a great depiction of my life verse, Isaiah 6:8 and
the story behind “I Can Only Imagine” is touching and personal, which is one of the
reasons the song has had so much impact on people.
Closing Thoughts:
If you want all the best songs by MercyMe, then this collection is for you. Even if you
already have the songs, get the collection just for the extra songs and the great DVD.
Imagine,” a touchingly personal song based on his father’s early death. It has sold more
than 2 million units, crossed over into multiple radio formats, and been adopted as an
anthem by hurting people around the world.
To celebrate the epic anniversary of one of the most popular and powerful songs in
Christian music history, MercyMe is releasing “10”, a must-have new CD/DVD set. The
CD features 12 of MercyMe’s best-loved songs spanning their five studio releases as
well as three bonus tracks—including a new recording of “I Can Only Imagine” with the
London Symphony Orchestra, the never-released track “Only Temporary,” plus the kids’
tune “10 Simple Rules.” The DVD contains both live and concept videos of all their best
songs.
The best opinion I can share about this collection comes from my nine year old daughter
Natalie as we were watching the DVD together she asked me with intense interest: “they
(MercyMe) really wrote and sang all of these songs?” She had heard all twelve ‘greatest
hits’, including eleven #1 hit songs before and was surprised that so many hit songs
were recorded by the same band. As a fan of this band for the past decade I gladly
shared with her that yes, MercyMe did in fact write and record all of these songs,
making them one of the premier Christian artists. What’s amazing to me as a fan of
MercyMe is how many songs I love that aren’t on the collection including “Here Am I”,
“Love Of God”, “Keep Singing”, “You’re To Blame” and “Sanctified”. This is a truly
great collection of songs. I like the mix as well, blending hit songs from “All That Is
Within Me” (2007), “Coming Up To Breathe” (2006), “Undone” (2004), “Spoken For”
(2003) and “Almost There” (2001). Rather than as a chronology, the songs are mixed
almost by theme with songs about self-reflection, praise and worship and then personal
prayer-songs.
I also liked the 3 additional songs, however I prefer the original or acoustic versions of “I
Can Only Imagine” over the London Symphony version. The other 2 songs are nice
rarities and the children’s song “10 Simple Rules” is a neat and catchy song about the
“10 Commandments”. The DVD is also great for collectors. In the same order as the
CD, the songs are shown either as live performances or the music video accordingly.
The concept video for “Here Am I” is a great depiction of my life verse, Isaiah 6:8 and
the story behind “I Can Only Imagine” is touching and personal, which is one of the
reasons the song has had so much impact on people.
Closing Thoughts:
If you want all the best songs by MercyMe, then this collection is for you. Even if you
already have the songs, get the collection just for the extra songs and the great DVD.
Review Written By: Kevin Davis [kevin.davis@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: March 27, 2009
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