The EP features five live studio performances, including three versions of songs from Renzema's widely acclaimed sophomore LP and Centricity Music debut, Let The Ground Rest, along with two new songs thematically connected to the album: "Tear My House Down" and the American Songwriter-featured single "Mercy."
The new Let The Ground Rest versions on B-Sides include the title track, "God Is Love," and the Air1 Radio Network-featured "Springtime." Each of these songs were also captured on video for The Smoakstack Sessions video documentary, which was premiere-streamed this week on YouTube.
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01.
Tear My House Down
02.
Mercy
03.
God Is Love (Live From The Smoakstack)
04.
Let The Ground Rest (Live From The Smoakstack)
Selah| Posted January 14, 2021 What You Need To Know As a follow up to Chris Renzema's sophomore project, Let The Ground Rest, Let The Ground Rest: B-Sides EP give us two new tracks plus three live versions from the original project including what this reviewer deemed the best songs on the full-length album–"Springtime" and "Let The Ground Rest."
What It Sounds Like Renzema gives us more folksy, Americana goodness with his crystal clear vocal stylings and fingerpicking acoustic guitar. The two instruments work in perfect balance with one another.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights "Tear My House Down" talks of the process some of us go through when we give in to what God has called us to. When we are tired of building our own house and we cry out to God to remove what is unwelcome and rebuild us from scratch. This is an honest song and fits perfectly with a cry we have all had at some point. It reminded me of the only New Year's Resolution I ever kept...asking the Lord into my heart on New Year's Eve 1994.
Best Song On The Record "Mercy" is a perfectly stripped-down track that invites "The rejects, the dropouts/Those used to being passed by/The addicts, the burned out/Who've lost their way so many times'' to find their peace in God. It is not a bold proclamation, just a heartfelt welcome paired with honest worship. This is the Gospel in balance.
Final Word The album brings comfort in difficult times. It is like sitting in front of a campfire with a group of friends and just opening your heart to friends and to God. Chris Renzema gives us a vulnerability on the new tracks, stripped down to just him and his guitar. The live versions of the tracks from the full-length version add to this with the honest and raw performance.
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