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| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
'Around The Bend'
[Release Date: July 15, 2008] (Word Records)
Track Listing
1. Around The Bend
2. You Didn't Have A Good Time
3. Love Is A Gamble
4. Faith In You
5. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
6. Dig Two Graves
7. Turn It Around
8. From Your Knees
1. Around The Bend
2. You Didn't Have A Good Time
3. Love Is A Gamble
4. Faith In You
5. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
6. Dig Two Graves
7. Turn It Around
8. From Your Knees
| ><> Review Written By: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: July 1, 2008 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |
| This is actually the very first country album that I have written a review for, so I apologize if I don't seem to be too educated in the genre. I really enjoyed this one, surprisingly. I tried to put it off on one of my other writers and the only response I got was, "Umm... I'm not sure. I will if you absolutely, positively want me to". Well, I got the hint Lord. I hope that this was good enough! lol. I have actually gotten the opportunity to meet Randy in person and giving the fact that I had seen a few of his movies (and had not heard his music), I was actually quite surprised at how down to earth and humble he was. The man comes across as one who takes his ministry seriously in wanting to uplift and glorify Jesus with his chosen style of music. Country music fan? Doesn't matter. I think Travis delivers on this album and who knows. Maybe I might listen to a little more country from now on. I like a good story. Especially one that has me laughing and at the same time, thinking about my own life story. |
I have to be perfectly honest with you. Country music is not my favorite style of music, but
it does fit into Gospel music just like any other style of music. This is Christian Music
Review's first attempt to write a review outside our normal comfort zone of Christian pop,
rock and praise & worship music. So hopefully you like it and it doesn't totally bore you!
Around The Bend marks Travis' sixth Christian album and first country album in eight
years. It's not one that will disappoint the Randy Travis fan either.
I think one thing that people will notice right off the bat is Travis' trademark voice. It's
funny, even though I don't listen to country music on a regular basis, Randy's voice
sounds the 'most country' to me. That's funny to some, but it's true. To hear Randy sing,
to me his voice is synonymous with country music. I guess I should listen to some more
huh?
I think the first song that stuck out to me was "You Didn't Have A Good Time". One thing I
do like about country music is that there's almost always an interesting story behind each
song. I think this one is one about regret about things that have happened under the
influence of alcohol. Don't think alcoholism can effect just non-believers either. There are
Christians out there that have dealt with this ongoing sin. The moral of the song reminds
us that we must turn away from those things, and give them to God.
I got laughing when I first listened to the track, "Every Head Bowed". It's funny, I don't
really hear a whole lot of funny verses in the music that I listen to and review, but after
getting through this one, it just reminded me that even though you don't want to act like
this in the house of God, every child is tempted. I didn't have those opportunities, but I can
pretty much tell you, that's probably how it would have been for me. The verse that had
me rolling was the one which said, "Straight to the KFC, cause we're gonna beat the
Catholics there / While they're still confessing, we're blessing our mashed potatoes".
Some might take offense to that, but I thought it was pretty funny. Now I am going to be
sitting in church some Sunday thinking about KFC and those awful but somewhat tasteful
fake mashed potatoes. Maybe. Maybe not.
"Faith In You" was another song that I liked. The song is slow-paced musically, but it's
message kind of gets you thinking about everything that we have today, everything in
which the Lord has given us, that we take for granted. It's those times that when we think
we can go at it alone that the Lord reminds us that placing that faith in Him is the only way
to truly make it to the other side. One verse that really struck me and questioned me was
the verse which said, "The more I search for my significance seems the more I disappear /
And I wonder have I made a difference in someone's life since I've been here?" Wow, I
was dumb-founded by the very question. Ask yourself that question too. Have we really
put our full faith and trust in God and used the knowledge and wisdom He's bestowed in us
to make a difference in someone else's life? It's a thought.
Marriage to me should be the most important relationship in someone's life on the other
side of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior. "From Your
Knees" should serve as a reminder as to how sacred and important we should view
marriage. The song talks about a husband who has cheated on his wife of seventeen
years, and repercussions associated with the act. I don't know about those married
couples reading this think on this subject (especially you husbands), but your marriage is
always worth fighting for. You made an oath to each other before God when you joined in
marriage, before you take that step into adultery, just think of what it will cost you and who
it will effect. Especially if you have children, it's not only the two of you who it will effect. I
know this is just a song, but it really got me thinking about my own marriage. I would do
anything to keep myself from destroying it and my home. The key to any marriage is
keeping the Lord the center of the relationship. Love and everything else will follow.
Another song that got me chuckling was "Everything That I Own (Has A Dent)". If
everything you owned was either scratched, broken or dented, then you have some
serious problems... No, not necessarily. You could also be a very clumsy person. lol.
Anger can cause many problems in a relationship and the material possessions in your life
aren't the only things that can be dented. Relationships can be too. Hearts can be
broken, but one thing is for sure, and that's the Lord can mend those broken and 'dented'
hearts and restore them. One scripture I like to remember, especially when my wife and I
have had an argument over something reminds me to never go to sleep angry. Deal with
the issue at hand. Trust me, it will save headaches later on! The scripture that I am
referring to is Ephesians 4:26 which says, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go
down upon your wrath". The music accompanying this track makes it even better. My wife
would probably laugh if she listened to it too.
Overall Around The Bend was a great album. It definitely broadened my horizons
musically. I can honestly say that my musical tastes are pretty diverse and as of recent
time I have kind of opened up to country a bit. After all the Southern Gospel my wife loves
to listen to, I have grown quite fond of the country music.
I haven't had the opportunity to listen to Randy's other country albums albums, so I really
have nothing to compare, but I did enjoy listening through to this one. If you're a country
music fan or just want something a little different to listen to, then give this one a try. You
never know, you might enjoy it!
it does fit into Gospel music just like any other style of music. This is Christian Music
Review's first attempt to write a review outside our normal comfort zone of Christian pop,
rock and praise & worship music. So hopefully you like it and it doesn't totally bore you!
Around The Bend marks Travis' sixth Christian album and first country album in eight
years. It's not one that will disappoint the Randy Travis fan either.
I think one thing that people will notice right off the bat is Travis' trademark voice. It's
funny, even though I don't listen to country music on a regular basis, Randy's voice
sounds the 'most country' to me. That's funny to some, but it's true. To hear Randy sing,
to me his voice is synonymous with country music. I guess I should listen to some more
huh?
I think the first song that stuck out to me was "You Didn't Have A Good Time". One thing I
do like about country music is that there's almost always an interesting story behind each
song. I think this one is one about regret about things that have happened under the
influence of alcohol. Don't think alcoholism can effect just non-believers either. There are
Christians out there that have dealt with this ongoing sin. The moral of the song reminds
us that we must turn away from those things, and give them to God.
I got laughing when I first listened to the track, "Every Head Bowed". It's funny, I don't
really hear a whole lot of funny verses in the music that I listen to and review, but after
getting through this one, it just reminded me that even though you don't want to act like
this in the house of God, every child is tempted. I didn't have those opportunities, but I can
pretty much tell you, that's probably how it would have been for me. The verse that had
me rolling was the one which said, "Straight to the KFC, cause we're gonna beat the
Catholics there / While they're still confessing, we're blessing our mashed potatoes".
Some might take offense to that, but I thought it was pretty funny. Now I am going to be
sitting in church some Sunday thinking about KFC and those awful but somewhat tasteful
fake mashed potatoes. Maybe. Maybe not.
"Faith In You" was another song that I liked. The song is slow-paced musically, but it's
message kind of gets you thinking about everything that we have today, everything in
which the Lord has given us, that we take for granted. It's those times that when we think
we can go at it alone that the Lord reminds us that placing that faith in Him is the only way
to truly make it to the other side. One verse that really struck me and questioned me was
the verse which said, "The more I search for my significance seems the more I disappear /
And I wonder have I made a difference in someone's life since I've been here?" Wow, I
was dumb-founded by the very question. Ask yourself that question too. Have we really
put our full faith and trust in God and used the knowledge and wisdom He's bestowed in us
to make a difference in someone else's life? It's a thought.
Marriage to me should be the most important relationship in someone's life on the other
side of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior. "From Your
Knees" should serve as a reminder as to how sacred and important we should view
marriage. The song talks about a husband who has cheated on his wife of seventeen
years, and repercussions associated with the act. I don't know about those married
couples reading this think on this subject (especially you husbands), but your marriage is
always worth fighting for. You made an oath to each other before God when you joined in
marriage, before you take that step into adultery, just think of what it will cost you and who
it will effect. Especially if you have children, it's not only the two of you who it will effect. I
know this is just a song, but it really got me thinking about my own marriage. I would do
anything to keep myself from destroying it and my home. The key to any marriage is
keeping the Lord the center of the relationship. Love and everything else will follow.
Another song that got me chuckling was "Everything That I Own (Has A Dent)". If
everything you owned was either scratched, broken or dented, then you have some
serious problems... No, not necessarily. You could also be a very clumsy person. lol.
Anger can cause many problems in a relationship and the material possessions in your life
aren't the only things that can be dented. Relationships can be too. Hearts can be
broken, but one thing is for sure, and that's the Lord can mend those broken and 'dented'
hearts and restore them. One scripture I like to remember, especially when my wife and I
have had an argument over something reminds me to never go to sleep angry. Deal with
the issue at hand. Trust me, it will save headaches later on! The scripture that I am
referring to is Ephesians 4:26 which says, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go
down upon your wrath". The music accompanying this track makes it even better. My wife
would probably laugh if she listened to it too.
Overall Around The Bend was a great album. It definitely broadened my horizons
musically. I can honestly say that my musical tastes are pretty diverse and as of recent
time I have kind of opened up to country a bit. After all the Southern Gospel my wife loves
to listen to, I have grown quite fond of the country music.
I haven't had the opportunity to listen to Randy's other country albums albums, so I really
have nothing to compare, but I did enjoy listening through to this one. If you're a country
music fan or just want something a little different to listen to, then give this one a try. You
never know, you might enjoy it!
9. Everything That I Own (Has A Dent)
10. Til I'm Dead and Gone
| 3.1 |
| 2.5 |
| 2.0 |
| 1.0 |
| 8.6 |
| 86% B |
