Stars: 5 out of 5Pros: Fun songs with a call to radical love
Cons: Songs can almost run together
The Bottom Line:
A call to love well
Full of fun pop/rock music
Challenging lyrics
MercyMe Calls Us to a Radical Love in the Name of Jesus
MercyMe is back with The Generous Mr. Lovewell, their sixth
studio release, and it's sure to please fans.
It's definitely on the rockier side of their releases, but its fun with
so many great messages.
The biggest message of this disc is love. It weaves its way through several of the
songs, both explicitly and implicitly.
Quite obviously, the title track really emphasizes this theme. "The Generous Mr. Lovewell"
actually reminds us that love isn't about the big things we do for others. The second verse talks about how just a kind
word can brighten someone's day. Of
course, it does also talk about bigger offers of help. And I like the reminder to always be on the
lookout for ways to help. It's an upbeat
song and has the catchiest melody on the disc.
No matter what song I stop listen to the disc with, I always find myself
humming this particular song.
"Crazy Enough" also picks up on this theme. It looks at the idea of truly loving our
"brother for nothing in return" and how it might impact the
world. This song is definitely a pop
anthem, but it uses a minor key to really stand out from the rest of the disc.
"Won't You Be My Love" is written from Jesus'
point of view and reminds us that we are called to love others in His
name. While never directly quoting
Matthew, it borrows heavily from the passage about "Loving the least of
these in My name." This guitar
heavy ballad incorporates strings for a nice, quieter moment.
As they often will, MercyMe closes the disc with a very
short song. In fact, the minute and a
half "This So Called Love" feels like a first verse looking to be
expanded. But as a Coda to the rest of
the disc, it works very well. It's
actually a sobering reminder that no matter what we do and how we help others,
without Jesus, it means nothing. It's a
slow song with some haunting sounds.
The theme of radical love (which is what this call really
boils down to) influences some of the other tracks as well. For example, the disc opener, "This
Life" is a call to get out of our comfort zone and see what God would do
with us there. And if love doesn't do
that for you, I don't know what will.
The song uses heavy electric instruments and a touch of vocal distortion
to really help drive the point home.
Plus it's just plain fun to listen to.
I can't help but nod my head or tap my toe along with this upbeat
number.
You could even argue "Beautiful" fits in with the
theme. It's an upbeat ballad written to
those who don't think they are worth anything.
No, it's not terribly original, but at times you just need the simple
reminders to get through a trial.
Speaking of trials, MercyMe tackles that favorite subject in
"Move." I'd argue this is the
rockiest song on the disc as they rely on God's promise to see us through the
bad times to the brighter days. I dare
you to listen to this song without getting a smile and tapping your toes.
There are a couple songs of pure praise as well on the
disc. "All of Creation" finds
us back in the ballad territory the band has always done so well. Keyboard is the dominate instrument here as
they lead all creation in praise for God redeeming us from the sin that
separates us from Him.
"Only You Remain" actually sounds like a modern
praise song we could hear in church soon.
Again, we're on the slow side of things with the full band playing
here. There isn't anything super
original about the lyrics, but the way it praises God for who He is makes it a
great track.
The disc does come a bit close to all the songs sounding the
same at times. The music is either
guitar or keyboard driven and the differences between songs are more subtle
when you listen to the disc in order.
But after a few listens, things really do begin to stand out, mainly
because of the great lyrics.
MercyMe really burst onto the Christian music scene, and
they don't show any signs of slowing down.
The Generous Mr. Lovewell is another strong disc that will help keep
them in the spotlight for many years to come.
CD Length: 43:07
Tracks:
1. This Life
2. The Generous Mr. Lovewell
3. Move
4. Crazy Enough
5. All of Creation
6. Beautiful
7. Back to You
8. Only You Remain
9. Free
10. Won't You Be My Love
11. This So Called Love
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