 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Search our entire site here |
|
| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
'Wherever You Are'
[Release Date: November 1, 2005] (Essential Records)
Track Listing
1. Tunnel
2. Eagles
3. Cry Out To Jesus
4. I Can Feel It
5. Keep On Shinin'
6. Communion
7. Carry My Cross
8. How Do You Know?
1. Tunnel
2. Eagles
3. Cry Out To Jesus
4. I Can Feel It
5. Keep On Shinin'
6. Communion
7. Carry My Cross
8. How Do You Know?
| 4.0 |
| 2.6 |
| 2.0 |
| 1.0 |
| 9.6 |
| 96% A |
| ><> Review Written By: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: October 27, 2005 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |
| I hear comments from a lot of those hard-core, old-school Third Day fans... oops! I meant, Gomers! Well anyhow, they say that Third Day has gotten less and less 'Third Day' since releasing Time. I have to disagree. I do think that the group's sound has changed over the past decade definitely, but that is probably so with any group with 10+ years and 8+ albums under their belt. I actually prefer Third Day's newer stuff to the old. But one thing I can say about Third Day is their compassion and goal to never water down their message. The group has always been up-front about their music and that they want it to honor and glorify the Lord. I think Wherever You Are continues that in the essence that the message is crystal clear. This is a great album and I would tell any Third Day fan new or old, pick this one up. |
I always get excited when I hear a new Third Day album is about to come out. I mean,
c'mon, this is Third Day! One of the best artists that contemporary Christian music has to
offer. Put together a great message and great rock music and you have a sound that's
unlikely to be matched by anything (or anyone) else. Those of you who loved 'Wire' will
also love 'Wherever You Are'. It's an album of hope. It leaves you wanting more, but in
this case, the 12 tracks on this album do a great job in themselves from a ministering point
of view. I was very impressed with 'Wire', so my anticipation for 'Wherever You Are' was
high. In the music world, it is often hard to make an album better then the previous one
without making a clone. Although Third Day has that unique Southern rock sound, nothing
on the new album sounds the same. So let's explore the concept of the group's 8th studio
album and see the anatomy of another great effort ...
The first track, "Tunnel" has a great message of hope as I mentioned in the introduction.
When I read the lyrics to this piece, it reminds me of John 8:13. That Christ is the Light of
the world and no matter what kind of hardships we may be going through, there's always a
light at the end of the tunnel to those who have faith and want to see it through. "Eagles"
is song that basically talks about the way we're supposed to handle the stresses and
troubles in our lives. Mac Powell talks about the fight with our enemies (the world) and how
we usually battle them by their rules and on their turf. He also reminds us that God never
meant it to be that way. He created us to soar like eagles, (Isaiah 40:31) over our
enemies. Here is a quote from Mac's explanation... "Eagles have two sets of eyelids ...
when being chased by their enemy, they fly into the sun, blinding their predator. When
being pursued by our opponent, we too should soar higher, straight toward the Son". "Cry
Out To Jesus", the first single of the album, has a powerful message. Mac is actually
writing about people close to him in each of these verses. The song is a personal one to
Mac and I think from a lyric standpoint, the song goes into problems and heartaches that
many of us have gone through as well. However, we have to remember that Christ is their
to help us with those burdens, but we must ask (cry out) for His help. He's there for us, but
you have to make the choice to go to Him. Great song. It often makes me think of people
that I've lost in my life that I was close to. Mark Lee wrote the song "I Can Feel It". He said
it was based off of a conversation he was having with some friends about the Holy Spirit
and how he works differently in each of our lives. I always think it's great when the Holy
Spirit is present. I pray that the Lord is present in my life everyday. Mark also points out
that while the members of the group had come from different denominational backgrounds
and traditions, they choose not to bicker and argue about it, but learn from each other and
be the Body of Christ that they are called to be. "Keep on Shinin" is a song that tells us
there are many changes in the church and it's outreach and trying to take the Gospel
beyond the boundaries of the church can be tough at times. We have to remember that
God loves us unconditionally and wants us to be what we can be as a church with the
strengths that He has given us. In the meantime, we have to keep shining for those who
are lost, for them to see Christ in us. Let our light shine for all men to see.
"Communion" is probably the most heart-felt song on this album. Whenever I hear of the
suffering Jesus went through for me, I feel bad, because I know there is always something
more that I can do to help Him and do what I was born to do. Serve Him. Another thing I
thought of was a message that my preacher brought one Sunday in church. Some
churches have taken the Blood out. Out of their Bibles, out of their message. But one
thing's for sure, you take away the Blood, you take away the Salvation that Blood brings.
Reminds me of the hymn.... "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of
Jesus". Remember what Jesus said ... "This do in remembrance of Me". We're reminded
to"die daily and take up our crosses and follow Him". This is a song that Mac says he was
inspired to write by the influence he had from the "Passion of the Christ" (as was "Carry My
Cross"). "Carry My Cross" is written from the same point of view as some of Third Day's
past numbers, which include "Love Song" and "Come On Back To Me". It's written from the
point of view of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have you taken up your cross for Jesus
today? Remember, Jesus did it for you, return the favor. "How Do You Know" is a song
that deals with one thing that most of us go through each day. Criticism. I think a lot of the
time, even in our walks as Christians, we worry to much about what we think others should
be doing, and not enough on what we should be doing ourselves. I think the only thing we
can do in these cases is pray that the Lord helps us, and guides us to overcome the
obstacles of criticism.
"Mountain of God" is one of those songs that really gets you thinking about how you feel in
your walk with the Lord. David Carr explains that we all have been on top of the mountain
at one point in time, where we feel the happiest and closest to God, but then there's times
when we tread the valleys and go through the hardships of life. God never promised us a
life of peaches and cream, but that we will endure hardships. I think it's the faith in Christ
we have that brings us on back to the top of the mountain all over again. In the description
Mac Powell gives on "The Sun Is Shining", he says he had lost a friend when he was
younger and was reminded of the message of Psalms 30:5, saying that 'sorrow lasts
through the night, but joy comes in the morning'. I know in our lives as Christian, we
endure loss, but it really boils down to how we deal with it. I ask the Lord to help me
whenever something like this arises. I also ask the Lord still, when it's also something
minor. But remember, no matter how cloudy and gloomy life seems to be, there's always
the promise that God is here for us and the Son is truly shining on our lives, even if we
choose not to lift our heads to look.
Brad Avery talks about 'real life' and how at times, we feel out of hope, energy and
ultimately feel dead inside, for the song "Rise Up". There's somedays where we don't feel
like doing anything, but we have to remember, "I [We] [You] can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneths me" (Philippians 4:13). God's voice calls out to us, to help
restore our soul, our strength and our faith. I think this song really puts a great end to
another page in Third Day's rich history of praising the Lord through voice and song. This
was such a great album to sit and listen to, and like Todd Agnew's 'Reflection of
Something' this album was very hard to take out of my CD player. I think you will agree
with me that it's one of the best 2005 has to offer. It brings the message of hope that we
can find very helpful in our daily walk with Jesus.
c'mon, this is Third Day! One of the best artists that contemporary Christian music has to
offer. Put together a great message and great rock music and you have a sound that's
unlikely to be matched by anything (or anyone) else. Those of you who loved 'Wire' will
also love 'Wherever You Are'. It's an album of hope. It leaves you wanting more, but in
this case, the 12 tracks on this album do a great job in themselves from a ministering point
of view. I was very impressed with 'Wire', so my anticipation for 'Wherever You Are' was
high. In the music world, it is often hard to make an album better then the previous one
without making a clone. Although Third Day has that unique Southern rock sound, nothing
on the new album sounds the same. So let's explore the concept of the group's 8th studio
album and see the anatomy of another great effort ...
The first track, "Tunnel" has a great message of hope as I mentioned in the introduction.
When I read the lyrics to this piece, it reminds me of John 8:13. That Christ is the Light of
the world and no matter what kind of hardships we may be going through, there's always a
light at the end of the tunnel to those who have faith and want to see it through. "Eagles"
is song that basically talks about the way we're supposed to handle the stresses and
troubles in our lives. Mac Powell talks about the fight with our enemies (the world) and how
we usually battle them by their rules and on their turf. He also reminds us that God never
meant it to be that way. He created us to soar like eagles, (Isaiah 40:31) over our
enemies. Here is a quote from Mac's explanation... "Eagles have two sets of eyelids ...
when being chased by their enemy, they fly into the sun, blinding their predator. When
being pursued by our opponent, we too should soar higher, straight toward the Son". "Cry
Out To Jesus", the first single of the album, has a powerful message. Mac is actually
writing about people close to him in each of these verses. The song is a personal one to
Mac and I think from a lyric standpoint, the song goes into problems and heartaches that
many of us have gone through as well. However, we have to remember that Christ is their
to help us with those burdens, but we must ask (cry out) for His help. He's there for us, but
you have to make the choice to go to Him. Great song. It often makes me think of people
that I've lost in my life that I was close to. Mark Lee wrote the song "I Can Feel It". He said
it was based off of a conversation he was having with some friends about the Holy Spirit
and how he works differently in each of our lives. I always think it's great when the Holy
Spirit is present. I pray that the Lord is present in my life everyday. Mark also points out
that while the members of the group had come from different denominational backgrounds
and traditions, they choose not to bicker and argue about it, but learn from each other and
be the Body of Christ that they are called to be. "Keep on Shinin" is a song that tells us
there are many changes in the church and it's outreach and trying to take the Gospel
beyond the boundaries of the church can be tough at times. We have to remember that
God loves us unconditionally and wants us to be what we can be as a church with the
strengths that He has given us. In the meantime, we have to keep shining for those who
are lost, for them to see Christ in us. Let our light shine for all men to see.
"Communion" is probably the most heart-felt song on this album. Whenever I hear of the
suffering Jesus went through for me, I feel bad, because I know there is always something
more that I can do to help Him and do what I was born to do. Serve Him. Another thing I
thought of was a message that my preacher brought one Sunday in church. Some
churches have taken the Blood out. Out of their Bibles, out of their message. But one
thing's for sure, you take away the Blood, you take away the Salvation that Blood brings.
Reminds me of the hymn.... "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of
Jesus". Remember what Jesus said ... "This do in remembrance of Me". We're reminded
to"die daily and take up our crosses and follow Him". This is a song that Mac says he was
inspired to write by the influence he had from the "Passion of the Christ" (as was "Carry My
Cross"). "Carry My Cross" is written from the same point of view as some of Third Day's
past numbers, which include "Love Song" and "Come On Back To Me". It's written from the
point of view of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have you taken up your cross for Jesus
today? Remember, Jesus did it for you, return the favor. "How Do You Know" is a song
that deals with one thing that most of us go through each day. Criticism. I think a lot of the
time, even in our walks as Christians, we worry to much about what we think others should
be doing, and not enough on what we should be doing ourselves. I think the only thing we
can do in these cases is pray that the Lord helps us, and guides us to overcome the
obstacles of criticism.
"Mountain of God" is one of those songs that really gets you thinking about how you feel in
your walk with the Lord. David Carr explains that we all have been on top of the mountain
at one point in time, where we feel the happiest and closest to God, but then there's times
when we tread the valleys and go through the hardships of life. God never promised us a
life of peaches and cream, but that we will endure hardships. I think it's the faith in Christ
we have that brings us on back to the top of the mountain all over again. In the description
Mac Powell gives on "The Sun Is Shining", he says he had lost a friend when he was
younger and was reminded of the message of Psalms 30:5, saying that 'sorrow lasts
through the night, but joy comes in the morning'. I know in our lives as Christian, we
endure loss, but it really boils down to how we deal with it. I ask the Lord to help me
whenever something like this arises. I also ask the Lord still, when it's also something
minor. But remember, no matter how cloudy and gloomy life seems to be, there's always
the promise that God is here for us and the Son is truly shining on our lives, even if we
choose not to lift our heads to look.
Brad Avery talks about 'real life' and how at times, we feel out of hope, energy and
ultimately feel dead inside, for the song "Rise Up". There's somedays where we don't feel
like doing anything, but we have to remember, "I [We] [You] can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneths me" (Philippians 4:13). God's voice calls out to us, to help
restore our soul, our strength and our faith. I think this song really puts a great end to
another page in Third Day's rich history of praising the Lord through voice and song. This
was such a great album to sit and listen to, and like Todd Agnew's 'Reflection of
Something' this album was very hard to take out of my CD player. I think you will agree
with me that it's one of the best 2005 has to offer. It brings the message of hope that we
can find very helpful in our daily walk with Jesus.
9. Mountain Of God
10. Love Heals Your Heart
11. The Sun Is Shining
12. Rise Up
