Music Review: Life is Not a Snapshot by Josh Wilson

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Great songs with thoughtful yet fun lyrics

Cons: Only seven songs (but it is priced appropriately).

The Bottom Line:

Short second release

Doesn't skimp on great music

Help build his fan base

Songs to Help You from One Snapshot to Another

When I discovered new artist Josh Wilson, and his debut was one of my favorite discs of the year.  He's followed it up with Life Is Not a Snapshot, a seven song release.  At first I was disappointed with the number of songs, but since the price is lower than a normal CD, it really does all even out.  And disc contains another great collection of songs.

The disc opens with "Sing."  The song originated as part of a Christmas MP3 project he did this last year, but I never got around to downloading it.  While it does definitely have some Christmas themes and feel to it, it is first and foremost a song of praise for all God has done for us.  As such, it deserves to be played year round.  It starts off with some bell sounding keyboard before the guitars and vocals come in.  It's a great mid-tempo song that you will find playing in your head long after it's finished.  What I love most are the lyrics that remind us of our need for Jesus to come yet celebrate the fact that He will never leave us.

As with his first release, Josh pulled the title from the middle of a song on the disc.  In this case, it's "Before the Morning."  The song starts out rather slowly, but does build a little as it gets going.  Again, it starts with piano before other instruments come in.  The song is written to those struggling with hard times to encourage them to keep pressing on because God's promises are still true.  I just love some of the lyrics like "But life is not a snapshot/It might take a little time but you'll see the bigger picture" and "Would you dare to believe/That you still have a reason to sing/'Cause the pain that you've been feeling/It just can't compare to the joy that's coming."

One thing that caught my ear with his first release is Josh's sense of humor that comes into some of his songs.  (And yes, the linear notes do still include a "No thanks" section.)  While it is toned down a little here, it does pop up a couple of times.  One of those is "Listen."  The point of the song is solid and serious, the need to stop and listen to God on a regular basis.  It's upbeat in the soft rock vein, and lots of fun to listen to.  But I can't help but smile when Josh observes "Why is my first reaction/To give my own opinion/Like I could tell You something/You don't already know."  Ouch!

About the only song here I don't absolutely love is "Do You Want to Know."  Frankly, I think that says more about me than about the song.  It's a piano ballad that really challenges us see the need around us and leave our comfort zones to do something about those needs.  It hits the target right on, at least for me.

We're back to fun with "How to Fall."  It's a fast paced love song with a chorus that is almost impossible to keep up with.  It really makes me smile.

"Right in Front of Me" puts things back on a more serious note.  It tackles the struggle for faith in our daily lives.  It's a very honest song.  Josh goes from very weak faith in the first verse to reassured faith by the end of the song by remembering the signs of God in the world around us.  I especially love the bridge.  "Maybe this is what it means to question You and still believe/To search and still be satisfied, to know and yet to wonder why."  The guitar based song starts slowly, but builds in intensity as the song goes along.

The final song here is an instrumental piece.  Josh has written an arrangement of the classic hymn "Amazing Grace" for guitar.  This isn't the slow version you might expect, and it really shows off his guitar playing ability.

It's always refreshing to find a sophomore release that is as strong as a debut I loved.  And that's certainly the case with Josh Wilson's Life Is Not a Snapshot.  My only regret is that it isn't a full length CD.  But don't let that stop you.  These are seven great songs for you to enjoy.

CD Length: 26:00

Tracks:

1. Sing

2. Before the Morning

3. Listen

4. Do You Want to Know

5. How to Fall

6. Right in Front of Me

7. Amazing Grace (Instrumental)