Stars: 4 out of 5Pros: "Wait and See" and other encouraging tracks
Cons: Songs tend to blend together
The Bottom Line:
A strong follow up
Music still blends a little
Wonderful lyrics
What if We Like Brandon Heath's Sophomore CD
After Brandon Heath won the Gospel Music Association Award
for best new artist, I went out and bought his debut. It took some time, but I
grew to like that project. So I was excited when his follow up, What If We,
came out. It's mostly more of the same, which is mostly good.
The first four tracks really stand out in my mind. The disc opens
with "Give Me Your Eyes." I was immediately surprised to find it
included a strong hip hop beat. It's a departure for the almost acoustic
pop/soft rock artist. It's not something that carries over to the rest of the
disc. But it certainly works here over the guitar, keyboard, and hint of
strings. And the lyrics are powerful as they remind us of our need to see those
in need around us.
I have long said I am a sucker for songs about trusting God,
mainly because I know it's something I struggle with. Brandon grabs me with "Trust You."
The guitar based song talks about our weaknesses and God's strength before
reminding us that God earned our trust when He gave up His life for ours. I'd
never thought of it that way before, but after that ultimate sacrifice, I
shouldn't have anything I am holding back from Him. Not, to actually practice
that in my life.
"London "
is one of those songs I would love to hear a back story on. This slow ballad
tells the story of someone visiting London
but not enjoying it because they are missing their special someone. The love
ballad starts out with just piano for the first verse and chorus before chiming
in with drums and guitar for the rest of the song. The yearning is Brandon 's voice
absolutely makes the song.
Unfortunately, it's at this point that the disc begins to
run into the same problem his debut did. Despite his attempts to vary the
sound, many of these songs just blend together for me. True, there are ballads
like the beautiful "Love Never Fails" and "When I'm Alone"
mixed in with the soft rock, but it isn't enough to make the rest of the disc
memorable to me.
Which is a shame because there are several good songs on
their own here. "Sunrise "
reminds us that, even when all looks lost, there will be hope eventually.
"Sore Eyes" is written from one friend trying to offer encouragement
to another. In a similar vein, "Listen Up" is a promise to stop
talking and truly listen to a friend in need. And "Fight Another Day"
adds just a hint of that earlier hip hop style to a song that reminds us that
things will get better.
I mentioned "Love Never Fails" a minute ago. I
have a feeling that this song will be a wedding classic here before too long.
It really is a beautiful ballad that describes love. It's got finger picked
guitar complimented by lush strings. It's tailor made for that big day.
The disc closes out with a worship song. "No Not
One," co-written with Christy Nockels (who also recorded it on her solo
debut), is a declaration of how great God is. Again, it's got guitar
complimented with strings and piano and drums.
What If We shows that Brandon
has grown as an artist. There are quite a few great songs here when taken
individually. As a whole package, it just doesn't quite live up to its full
potential, but is well worth buying.
CD Length: 40:18
Tracks:
1. Give Me Your Eyes
2. Wait and See
3. Trust You
4. London
5. Sunrise
6. Sore Eyes
7. Love Never Fails
8. Listen Up
9. Fight Another Day
10. When I'm Alone
11. No Not One
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