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| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
'Reach'
[Release Date: March 7, 2006] (Essential Records)
Track Listing
1. I'll Be Alright [Listen]
2. Saved [Listen]
3. Head Held High [Listen]
4. Beyond The Walls [Listen]
5. Closer [Listen]
6. Unleashed [Listen]
7. Come Alive [Listen]
8. Take My Life [Listen]
9. Shadow [Listen]
10. Reach [Listen]
1. I'll Be Alright [Listen]
2. Saved [Listen]
3. Head Held High [Listen]
4. Beyond The Walls [Listen]
5. Closer [Listen]
6. Unleashed [Listen]
7. Come Alive [Listen]
8. Take My Life [Listen]
9. Shadow [Listen]
10. Reach [Listen]
| 3.8 |
| 2.6 |
| 2.0 |
| 1.0 |
| 9.4 |
| 94% A- |
| ><> Review Written By: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: January 24, 2006 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |
| Warren follows up his highly successful debut with ‘Reach’, an album full of spirit and truth that today’s world can use. Great messages accompany great music and don’t forget the added touch of Warren’s signature voice.” |
One thing I can definitely say when it comes to Warren Barfield is that he has his own
voice. I can pick out his voice over anyone else, because it is unique to just him. You’ll
notice this display in his upcoming sophomore release to his highly successful 2003 self-
titled debut. You’ll also notice a little difference in his approach to this next record. To me,
it sounds more bluesy then the first.
The first track “I’ll Be Alright” is a perfect example of this sound. A message of hope laces
this song. It’s the presence of the Lord around us that gives us that reassurance that we’ll
be all right. I like the music accompanying this track, a lot of flat/off-beat notes in there.
Those were the kind of things I used to like to write with the guitar. “Saved”, which is the
first single off of the album is an acoustic-driven song, like most of Warren’s music. The
notion of thoughts after being saved is something we all think of after accepting Christ. It’s
after being saved where you want to ask the Lord to guide you and to keep you from going
back to that ways of that ‘old’ creature that needed to be saved.
we live this life for. The Bible says in Romans 12:2 “…be not conformed to this world..” we
live this life for. The Bible says in Romans 12:2 “…be not conformed to this world..”
meaning we live for a higher purpose, a purpose outside of the walls of the world.
Musically, I don’t know how Warren is able to play these guitar parts and sing at the same
time! But, I’ve seen him do it, it’s talent I tell you, God-given talent! I admire a good guitarist
time! But, I’ve seen him do it, it’s talent I tell you, God-given talent! I admire a good guitarist
when I hear one.
when I hear one.
Now onto a slower song, a praise-ballad. I like the message of “Closer”, asking God to be
‘closer then ever’. As Christians, we try to remain as close to our Savior as we can.
Something I implement in my prayer life everyday is to ask Christ to be an even greater
presence in my life then He already is. He’s all we’ll ever need, so the closer we are the
better. This is a beautiful song, with a great meaningful message. “Unleashed” reminds me
of a good ole’ Stevie Wonder song. “It’s impossible to drain the Gospels from these veins”,
Amen! God has definitely unleashed His love on us! Warren’s message in “Take My Life”
is one that reminds us that as a Christian we have to daily give ourselves for God. Christ
gave His life us, and for the rest of the world, I think it’s the least we can do. When I gave
my life to Christ, I asked the Lord to take my life and do with me, as He needs. He guides
me in my life and my hope is for His will to be done through me.
“You’re so much more then a shadow” is the central theme in “Shadow”, a song aimed at
letting the listener know that hey, the Lord is more then just a shadow in your life, He’s
your rock, your fortress, you’re salvation. It’s that shadow that keeps you safe in all of our
hardships. I’ve often heard the term ‘shadow beneath His wings’ in songs. Great up-beat
song with a great message about remembering that He’s more then just a shadow, He’s
our Lord and our Savior.
“Reach”, the last track on the album is a good praise and worship song, with a reminder
that the Lord loves us and reaches for us, are you reaching out to Him today? Warren’s
whole message in the album asks us to explore our faith in the Lord and evoke honesty in
our lives. I am very excited about the release of this album and hope and pray that it
makes a huge impact on those who listen to it. If you enjoyed Warren’s debut, I think it’s
safe to say that you’ll enjoy ‘Reach’. A well-rounded project full of positive and uplifting
messages, one that will help to add unto the Kingdom.”
voice. I can pick out his voice over anyone else, because it is unique to just him. You’ll
notice this display in his upcoming sophomore release to his highly successful 2003 self-
titled debut. You’ll also notice a little difference in his approach to this next record. To me,
it sounds more bluesy then the first.
The first track “I’ll Be Alright” is a perfect example of this sound. A message of hope laces
this song. It’s the presence of the Lord around us that gives us that reassurance that we’ll
be all right. I like the music accompanying this track, a lot of flat/off-beat notes in there.
Those were the kind of things I used to like to write with the guitar. “Saved”, which is the
first single off of the album is an acoustic-driven song, like most of Warren’s music. The
notion of thoughts after being saved is something we all think of after accepting Christ. It’s
after being saved where you want to ask the Lord to guide you and to keep you from going
back to that ways of that ‘old’ creature that needed to be saved.
we live this life for. The Bible says in Romans 12:2 “…be not conformed to this world..” we
live this life for. The Bible says in Romans 12:2 “…be not conformed to this world..”
meaning we live for a higher purpose, a purpose outside of the walls of the world.
Musically, I don’t know how Warren is able to play these guitar parts and sing at the same
time! But, I’ve seen him do it, it’s talent I tell you, God-given talent! I admire a good guitarist
time! But, I’ve seen him do it, it’s talent I tell you, God-given talent! I admire a good guitarist
when I hear one.
when I hear one.
Now onto a slower song, a praise-ballad. I like the message of “Closer”, asking God to be
‘closer then ever’. As Christians, we try to remain as close to our Savior as we can.
Something I implement in my prayer life everyday is to ask Christ to be an even greater
presence in my life then He already is. He’s all we’ll ever need, so the closer we are the
better. This is a beautiful song, with a great meaningful message. “Unleashed” reminds me
of a good ole’ Stevie Wonder song. “It’s impossible to drain the Gospels from these veins”,
Amen! God has definitely unleashed His love on us! Warren’s message in “Take My Life”
is one that reminds us that as a Christian we have to daily give ourselves for God. Christ
gave His life us, and for the rest of the world, I think it’s the least we can do. When I gave
my life to Christ, I asked the Lord to take my life and do with me, as He needs. He guides
me in my life and my hope is for His will to be done through me.
“You’re so much more then a shadow” is the central theme in “Shadow”, a song aimed at
letting the listener know that hey, the Lord is more then just a shadow in your life, He’s
your rock, your fortress, you’re salvation. It’s that shadow that keeps you safe in all of our
hardships. I’ve often heard the term ‘shadow beneath His wings’ in songs. Great up-beat
song with a great message about remembering that He’s more then just a shadow, He’s
our Lord and our Savior.
“Reach”, the last track on the album is a good praise and worship song, with a reminder
that the Lord loves us and reaches for us, are you reaching out to Him today? Warren’s
whole message in the album asks us to explore our faith in the Lord and evoke honesty in
our lives. I am very excited about the release of this album and hope and pray that it
makes a huge impact on those who listen to it. If you enjoyed Warren’s debut, I think it’s
safe to say that you’ll enjoy ‘Reach’. A well-rounded project full of positive and uplifting
messages, one that will help to add unto the Kingdom.”
