Music Review: Re:Creation by Steven Curtis Chapman

Stars: 3 out of 5

Pros: "Long Way Home" and a few other tracks

Cons: "Dive (Deeper)."  Not enough new music.

The Bottom Line: 

Interesting tracks

But not Stephen's best release

Wait for it on sale

Re:Creation Doesn't Work as Well as It Could Have

I’ve been a Steven Curtis Chapman fan for close to 20 years now.  His discs are on my automatic buy list.  I’ll admit I don’t listen to all of them equally, but all of them have some songs on them I love.  So when I found out that he was releasing Re:Creation, it went on my buy list sight unseen.  Turns out I didn’t need to rush out to buy it.

This is not a disc of all new music.  Instead, it features 6 completely new tracks, one of which is a new arrangement of a classic hymn.  The other 8 tracks are “re:created” versions of some of his classics.  And anyone who knows Steven’s music can probably guess at many of the songs included here.  Unfortunately, both sets of songs are mixed bags.

The disc starts out with two of the new tracks.  “Do Everything” is one of the more upbeat songs on the disc and ties in with Steven’s usual pop/light rock sound.  It’s got a catchy tune that will easily get stuck in your head.  The lyrics remind us to do everything for God’s glory.  It’s fine, but it’s a sentiment we’ve heard before from other artists.

“Long Way Home” is one of several songs that find Steven playing the ukulele.  (And why is this suddenly the popular instrument of the year?)  It’s laid back feeling is more in keeping with much of the rest of the disc.  It’s also easily my favorite track on the disc.  First of all, it references a few of his classics like “Great Adventure” and “Not Home Yet.”  But more importantly, it shows a faith in God to help through the mountains and valleys of life.  Considering all Steven has gone through in the last few years with the loss of his daughter (which provided the background for his last release), I find the statement of faith here encouraging.

Also in the new song department, we’ve got “All That’s Left.”  This easily fits in the long line of songs he’s written to his wife as he reminds us that ultimate love is all that endures in this life and the next one.  It’s a mid-tempo track that is fine although not one that grabs my attention.

“Meant to Be” picks up the tempo a little as it reminds us that God has a purpose for us in every encounter in our lives.  Like the first song, it’s nothing new or shocking, but this reminder speaks to me.

The final two new tracks close out the disc.  Steven has done a new acoustic arrangement of the hymn “Morning has Broken,” and it leads nicely into the original praise song “Sing Hallelujah.”  Combined, these two paint a nice picture of hope coming to life again after sorrow.  And combined they are as one track flows into the next, even with the choir background behind him.  They both easily fit into his slower ballad style, which really works here.  What is interesting is that his son Caleb sings one of the verses on “Morning has Broken.”

Which leaves us with the covers of classic tracks.  Gone are the pop versions we all know and love.  Instead, we’ve got more acoustic versions.  They certainly feel that way, although they are more complex than just Steven and his guitar.  Many of the songs include strings, which can add a lush flavor to the track.  They take a few listens to get used to, but they mostly work.

For example, “The Great Adventure” is pretty much kept intact.  It’s still a guitar driven song, but the addition of strings makes it sound fresh.  He even keeps the tempo pretty much the same.

On several of the songs, he starts out slower and then builds to the familiar tempo.  That’s the case with “Heaven in the Real World” and “Speechless.”  The ukulele shows up again on “Live Out Loud” which means that song takes a few listens to fully appreciate.  It’s a very different sound, but after a couple listens I’ve come to appreciate it.  “For the Sake of the Call” has been slowed down and becomes more of a ballad than the anthem it originally was.  Again, after a couple times through the disc, I like it.

The classic song that has fared the best is “Magnificent Obsession.”  Already a slow song, he does little to the tempo but really ramps up the strings, which add to the drama of the music.  It’s absolutely beautiful.

On the other hand, there’s “Dive.”  Okay, I may be biased because this is one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs of all time.  The original is a classic with a hard, driving rock beat.  This version starts out with flute.  No, I’m not kidding.  He’s slowed the tempo way down, too.  It absolutely ruins the song for me.  I’m ready to jump in to the fun rhythms, but even when things speed up for the chorus, it’s still too mellow for this song.  It’s not quite a ballad, but it’s close.

I think part of my disappointment with this disc is one of expectations.  I was expecting all new songs, so the fact that this has so many classics was a disappointment.  Yes, I know these classics are new recordings, but it’s not quite the same.  The new songs aren’t among his best, and many of these changes don’t quite live up to the originals.

Despite the inclusion of so many classics, I wouldn’t jump in here as a new fan.  And established fans will want to get this disc sooner or later.  I recommend waiting until it goes on sale somewhere.  Re:Creation has some good tracks, but overall it’s just average.

CD Length: 54:33

Tracks:

1. Do Everything

2. Long Way Home

3. The Great Adventure (Re:Created)

4. Dive (Deeper)

5. All That’s Left

6. Heaven in the Real World (Re:Created)

7. Speechless (Re:Created)

8. Live Out Loud (Re:Created)

9. For the Sake of the Call (Re:Created)

10. Magnificent Obsession (Re:Created)

11. Meant to be

12. More to This Life (Re:Created)

13. Morning has Broken

14. Sing Hallelujah