Music Review: History by Matthew West

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: "Only Grace"

Cons: "Get Away" and "The Day Before You"

The Bottom Line: 

A couple poor tracks

But plenty of good songs too

Worth getting for fans

Matthew West Proves He's Not History with His Sophomore Release

Sophomore releases can be tricky.  If your debut was a huge success, there's a lot of pressure to live up to it and keep your fans happy.  And if it wasn't, then you need to change your whole approach to get some fans.  Matthew West rose to the challenge in 2005 and released History.  While it isn't his best work, it's still good.

What was interesting about Matthew's first release was that, while it was marketed to the Christian market, he made no overt references to God or Jesus.  Christian themes were there, but it wasn't as in your face as Christian music often is.  For this release, he's a bit more overt, but there are still several songs that could play to either market.

For example, the title track could have been a big hit in any market.  "History" talks about leaving the regrets of the past behind and living in today and tomorrow.  It's a mid-tempo anthem that will encourage anyone trying to make a new start in their lives.  It's a theme Matthew has returned to later in his career, and I think some of those songs are better.  This one's still good.

On the other hand, "Next Thing You Know" is definitely for the Christian market since it's about his conversion at 13 and rededication in college.  This is a more upbeat song that will have you tapping your toes in no time.  Like one of the singles from his first release, Matthew talks the lyrics and sings the chorus.  It's an interesting choice that works here, but I wouldn't want a full disc of it.

My favorite song on the disc is the power ballad "Only Grace."  If you listen closely, you can catch some strings in with the electric guitar that drives much of the song.  The reminder of mercy, love and grace that God offers us along with a fresh start is so encouraging.

The electric guitars start out "I Know You're There," and the song fulfills the promise of a fun rock number.  The song is a statement of faith in the face of skeptics and doubts.  The fun music and the serious lyrics actually make for a good combo.

"Nothing Else" finds Matthew singing about how God is the only one who can truly satisfy.  The first verse finds him trying money and verse two is about "friends."  But he keeps coming back to God as his only source of contentment.  Ironically, he never says God.  Instead, he just says "Nothing else can take the place of You."  He finger picks the verses, but the chorus and bridge are filled with guitar and drums that turn this into an anthem.

He really quiets things down for "The Last Ones."  It's about a young friend he has names Taylor.  While we don't know for sure what her problems are, it's obvious that Taylor has some physical and/or mental problems.  Yet the song reflects on what he has learned from her, looking for the beautiful on the inside.  It's just Matthew and his guitar, and the guitar is very soft.  It's a touching ballad.

We switch to piano for the base of "Out of Time," a song about making your mark in history.  It's a call to live for eternity and not for the pleasures of this world.

Matthew closes out the disc with a song about his longing for Heaven.  "A Few More Days" starts out with just acoustic guitar, but this time he adds some percussion and even electric guitar as he goes.  It also builds a little in tempo until it's reached mid-tempo range.

A few of the songs are only okay.  "Get Away" is about our need to escape from temptation.  "The Day Before You" is a song Matthew wrote for his wife.  Both of these are familiar themes and have been done better before.  I wouldn't put in this disc to hear them, although they aren't bad enough to skip when I am listening to the disc.

Matthew is still honing his song writing skills with this disc.  There are a few standouts and some very good songs, but it's not filled with the hits like his last couple of discs have been.

Fans of Matthew West wanting to delve into his History will certainly be glad to get this disc.  But if you are new to his music, I suggest getting The Story of Your Life and seeing where he is now.  Then you'll be glad to fill in the gaps.

CD Length: 44:39

Tracks:

1. History

2. Next Thing You Know

3. Only Grace

4. Get Away

5. The Day Before You

6. I Know You're There

7. Nothing Else

8. The Last Ones

9. The Light of Eternity

10. Out of Time

11. A Few More Days