|
1. Inside Out [Listen]
2. It's Gotta Be Love [Listen]
3. Sanctuary [Listen]
4. You're Not Shaken [Listen]
5. One [Listen]
6. With All My Heart [Listen]
7. Into The Light [Listen]
8. Some Kind Of Love [Listen]
2. It's Gotta Be Love [Listen]
3. Sanctuary [Listen]
4. You're Not Shaken [Listen]
5. One [Listen]
6. With All My Heart [Listen]
7. Into The Light [Listen]
8. Some Kind Of Love [Listen]
Into The Light
[Release Date: August 25, 2009] (Reunion Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
3.8 out of 4
2.8 out of 3
1.5 out of 2
0.8 out of 1
8.8 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 88% B+ |
September 11th, 2001 was a defining moment in American history. For the first time in
years, citizens had a reason to fear further attacks on US soil. It was a time of immense
grief, as people not only looked upward to God for peace, but inwardly at themselves,
questioning their own mortality and motivations. Among those shaped by the events of
Sept. 11th was Phil Stacey, who enlisted in the Navy in 2003 as a direct response to the
tragedies.
The son and grandson of pastors had, up until that day, been content with his role as a
music minister in Denver. He was able to use his musical talents as an officer, too,
having the rank of Musician Third Class.
His stint with American Idol in Season 6 was rather successful, making it all the way to
the Top 5 before being voted out.
Now I’d never heard of Phil Stacey before (Idol fans forgive me; I’m kinda out of the
loop thereabouts) but upon hearing the first track of Into The Light, I thought his voice
reminded me of another Phil (Collins, whom I’m only vaguely familiar with because of
Disney soundtrack hit songs). I’ve also been told he’s comparable to fellow Idol alumnus
Chris Sligh as well as Warren Barfield. The chorus of said first track, the piano led and
flanked “Inside Out”, stayed with me for a few minutes after I listened to it. It’s got this
constantly driving sound, which I liked. The song is asking God to change him from the
inside out and remove the world’s influences, which he gets caught up in a lot.
In fact, it seems like faithfulness is a running theme in this album. You’re Not Shaken
tells of faith in a time of crisis because God is one who will not be moved when
everything else is falling apart. Phil describes this as his “Job song”. I thought his voice
got somewhat drowned out by the electric guitars, though. (Interestingly enough, I could’
ve sworn I heard maracas in the background of this one!) With All My Heart expresses
his desire to be faithful right back and to honor God with everything he is and has. True
to the title, it really sounded like he poured his heart into this one. There’s also a cover of
Rich Mullins’s song Hard To Get, a song about the contrast there seems to be between
God’s “omni” qualities and our own mortal ones, and it questions whether God really
listens to us. Even here, the resolution of the singer is that God does care, even if we
sometimes feel like he doesn’t. Phil recorded this song because it was inspiring to him in
a moment of transition where he felt like he was waiting for something to happen.
One. Now if this song hasn’t or doesn’t get picked up as the theme song for some
charity campaign or other, it will be. This song was inspired by Phil’s grandfather, a
Kentucky pastor who was generous to a fault, as well as responsible for planting several
churches. In this world, it seems like there are so many people who think they can’t do
anything because they’re only one person, or have so little to offer. Phil reminds us that
one is a bigger number than we give it credit for; yet since we only have one life, we’d
better use it. Not for glory-seeking, either, but expressions of genuine Christ-like love.
The song starts off quiet, but swells powerfully as it goes on. I thought the ending was a
little abrupt, though; the twinkle should’ve had more piano afterwards.
Into The Light ends off on a beautiful note with Old Glory, a song dedicated to the
American flag and all it stands for. Citizens of the USA are encouraged to come together
as one to declare their pride in their nation, and the Christian ideals it was built on. The
song starts quietly with a simple piano accompaniment, and you can really tell he believes
what he’s singing, even if you didn’t know he has a military background. Even as a
Canadian citizen, I too have a deep appreciation and respect for American patriotism.
Closing Thoughts:
Into The Light is a great collection of songs that serve to inspire and reassure us that
God is faithful, and we must live our lives honoring Him completely. One and Old Glory
have potential as crossover songs because of their themes (making a difference and
American patriotism, respectively). Phil’s message comes through loud and clear. With
songs ranging from slow and medititative to upbeat and inspiring, I look forward to
catching one of his songs on the radio.
years, citizens had a reason to fear further attacks on US soil. It was a time of immense
grief, as people not only looked upward to God for peace, but inwardly at themselves,
questioning their own mortality and motivations. Among those shaped by the events of
Sept. 11th was Phil Stacey, who enlisted in the Navy in 2003 as a direct response to the
tragedies.
The son and grandson of pastors had, up until that day, been content with his role as a
music minister in Denver. He was able to use his musical talents as an officer, too,
having the rank of Musician Third Class.
His stint with American Idol in Season 6 was rather successful, making it all the way to
the Top 5 before being voted out.
Now I’d never heard of Phil Stacey before (Idol fans forgive me; I’m kinda out of the
loop thereabouts) but upon hearing the first track of Into The Light, I thought his voice
reminded me of another Phil (Collins, whom I’m only vaguely familiar with because of
Disney soundtrack hit songs). I’ve also been told he’s comparable to fellow Idol alumnus
Chris Sligh as well as Warren Barfield. The chorus of said first track, the piano led and
flanked “Inside Out”, stayed with me for a few minutes after I listened to it. It’s got this
constantly driving sound, which I liked. The song is asking God to change him from the
inside out and remove the world’s influences, which he gets caught up in a lot.
In fact, it seems like faithfulness is a running theme in this album. You’re Not Shaken
tells of faith in a time of crisis because God is one who will not be moved when
everything else is falling apart. Phil describes this as his “Job song”. I thought his voice
got somewhat drowned out by the electric guitars, though. (Interestingly enough, I could’
ve sworn I heard maracas in the background of this one!) With All My Heart expresses
his desire to be faithful right back and to honor God with everything he is and has. True
to the title, it really sounded like he poured his heart into this one. There’s also a cover of
Rich Mullins’s song Hard To Get, a song about the contrast there seems to be between
God’s “omni” qualities and our own mortal ones, and it questions whether God really
listens to us. Even here, the resolution of the singer is that God does care, even if we
sometimes feel like he doesn’t. Phil recorded this song because it was inspiring to him in
a moment of transition where he felt like he was waiting for something to happen.
One. Now if this song hasn’t or doesn’t get picked up as the theme song for some
charity campaign or other, it will be. This song was inspired by Phil’s grandfather, a
Kentucky pastor who was generous to a fault, as well as responsible for planting several
churches. In this world, it seems like there are so many people who think they can’t do
anything because they’re only one person, or have so little to offer. Phil reminds us that
one is a bigger number than we give it credit for; yet since we only have one life, we’d
better use it. Not for glory-seeking, either, but expressions of genuine Christ-like love.
The song starts off quiet, but swells powerfully as it goes on. I thought the ending was a
little abrupt, though; the twinkle should’ve had more piano afterwards.
Into The Light ends off on a beautiful note with Old Glory, a song dedicated to the
American flag and all it stands for. Citizens of the USA are encouraged to come together
as one to declare their pride in their nation, and the Christian ideals it was built on. The
song starts quietly with a simple piano accompaniment, and you can really tell he believes
what he’s singing, even if you didn’t know he has a military background. Even as a
Canadian citizen, I too have a deep appreciation and respect for American patriotism.
Closing Thoughts:
Into The Light is a great collection of songs that serve to inspire and reassure us that
God is faithful, and we must live our lives honoring Him completely. One and Old Glory
have potential as crossover songs because of their themes (making a difference and
American patriotism, respectively). Phil’s message comes through loud and clear. With
songs ranging from slow and medititative to upbeat and inspiring, I look forward to
catching one of his songs on the radio.
Review Written By: Laura Chambers [laura.chambers@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: July 13, 2009
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| [Album Review] |
| Phil Stacey |