Worth Fighting For, Barfield's third record, expresses a vulnerability and passion born out of the realization of how much life passes by without intentionally living, how little we invest in those we love, and how often we settle for the status quo.
The songs of Worth Fighting For draw a bead on the sanctity and sacrifice of relationships, the encouragement, prayer, the listening and the commitment we make to those we love, to those we choose to "do life" with.
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The sifting through weak songs may not be worth fighting for| Posted December 24, 2008
Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live". That phrase is the one that drives the title of Warren Barfield’s latest album Worth Fighting For his third studio release, but the real theme of the album is Barfields statement "True Christianity is about being Christ to others,".
Leading the way for Worth Fighting for is anthem for the album, “love is not a fight”, a guitar driven ballad, which was used in the film Fireproof that projects a strong adult contemporary album. What lies behind the emotional vocals and inspirational beat is a dull and almost joyless album. For those who would argue the joyless point and state that the album has many upbeat song would be correct, however few songs leave any lasting impression except for the daring the “singer not the song” and the “the one thing”.
It apparently is difficult to keep success moving from song to song since “drop the world” sorely lacked the music and inspiration of the title track and “As it is in heaven” is rather generic with its lyrics and the twangy music. The hooks and riffs just do not stand out on the light pop song “Say it with your life”, and “reflect you” lacks the distinction between other light rock/pop tunes on the album. Kudos to Barfield for giving “I belong to you” a little something extra to save the cliché worship song.
The lyrics also excel in simplicity as Barfield’s messages mostly dwell on milk as shown on “the one thing” where the theme is simply ‘That your love is the one thing that I can’t run out of’. “this road” and “say it with your life” both offer insights to walking the Christian faith but the complexity is low with lines like: ‘On this road together leaving the past in a cloud of smoke/Headed on to forever as we follow the One who knows this road’. Most of the album follows suit and it would be easy to cross Worth Fighting For as merely a feel good album.
But that’s not true. While “love is not a fight” is directed at marriages and not jumping ship at the time of trouble (If we try to leave; /May God send angels to guard the door /No, Love is not a fight /but its something worth fighting for’) it would be folly to divide it into one category. “The singer not the song” offers some good insights and asks good questions (“we have abused grace and reduced grace to a tune… we have mad worship cheap… Maybe worship is more about reaching out than reaching up.”) but Barfield doesn’t elaborate much farther.
With Strong albums by Big Daddy Weave, Downhere, and Jeremy Camp it’s unlikely that Worth Fighting For will be among the top favorite of the year, though “love is not a fight” will be. So is that where getting Warren Barfields album comes down too? One song? Well since there are two different versions of the song it’s likely that “love is not a fight” will be the only thing worth remembering here.
There are sometimes in a music review writer’s life where one gets excited and anticipates the release of an upcoming album. Warren Barfield, in my opinion, could easily fit into that category. After ‘soaking’ up the music that came forth from his 2003 self-titled debut, I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the pre-release in 2006 for his second album, Reach. 2008 brings forth more anticipation when I hear Warren is done with and is about to release his third studio album titled, Worth Fighting For. As with Reach I was not disappointed to say the least.
The record starts off with the fast-paced track, “The One Thing”, whose message starts with what will be a focus point of the record, Love. I think the chorus pretty much sums up what the song portrays, “Your love is the one thing that has been enough….. The one thing I cannot run out of”. The little ‘doo do doo do doo do’s’ at the beginning are catchy and since first hearing the song, I find myself walking around doing this, weird looks from people and all. It’s all good though.
The second track, “Say It with Your Life” I think really depicts a lot of Christians today. You ever heard that saying, “Actions speak louder then words”? Well, I think Warren touches on that subject with this track. He says in the song explanations, “Most Christians are quick to tell you what they believe. They speak of Christ and Love, and live something often very different. The truth is there are no words to describe what Christ has done for us. It’s bigger than words. It can only be said with how we live our lives.” The message and honesty of songs like this is something I think in this day and age we need to hear. People shouldn’t be able to question which side of the fence you stand. Say it with your actions, and your life.
So often in life the term, “I Believe in God” comes in conversation. But this song kind of turns the tables a bit answering a very important life question, “I believe in God, but does God believe in me?” I have asked myself this question many times and come to realize that, yes, if I am trying to live my life according to God’s will and attempt at best the things He has set forth in me, yes He believes in me. Even in those times where we fail, God is still there, believing that His creation will soon do things right. Musically the track is of moderate speed with simple rock guitars, but one thing I noticed right of the bat with the tracks on this record is that the musical style is somewhat different then the songs from Reach and even going back to Warren Barfield. When I interviewed Warren a few weeks back (5/7/08) I mentioned that this was one thing I liked most about the new album besides the message, the different styles of music implemented in each of his records.
The fourth track, “Love Is Not a Fight”, will definitely go on to become (in my opinion) one of the most successful and ministering singles of 2008. The buzz and response from it so far tells me that this song will do a lot this year. The story behind the song, which Warren explains sparked from an argument about something miniscule (dropped pretzels) between him and his wife, Megan. “Isn't it fascinating that two people who love each other so much can cut one another so deeply? When you let issues build up in a marriage, the smallest thing can trigger a war, and pretty soon you can lose sight of your love and commitment to one another.” Barfield says in the song by song, which he goes on to say, “…to find a way to move through life’s good and bad times together. That will be a struggle at times, but love is worth the fight.” “Love Is Not a Fight” will be featured in the upcoming film Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron, which hits theatres in September and will coincide with the film’s story line.
I really liked the music track from “This Road”, and after hearing it for the first time the first thing that popped into my mind was Steven Curtis Chapman’s “The Great Adventure”. My daughter pointed out once while listening to the record in the car, “Hey I want to listen to that Life Is a Highway song”. I told her I didn’t have the Cars soundtrack. She said, “No, on Warren Barfield’s new CD silly!” While the music was fast-paced and catchy, I thought the message was good too. Following the One who know the road better then anyone else. Why, who could he be referring to I wonder? Lol.
I was reading about the sixth track, “Drop the World” in the song-by-song. Warren explains what started out as a prayer, led to the words of the song. I think the music accompanying the lyrics are very beautiful and fit the song well. I am sure we all have heard or know the song, “He’s got the whole world in His hands”, and I am sure we have all known someone in our lives that has been hurt, has been left alone, someone we desperately want to reach out to, but can really do nothing for. But God can. The song speaks as if responding to the “He’s got the world in His hands” song, and asking God for that person’s sake, drop the world and be with and comfort the person who need’s it. Of course it’s a metaphor, but you get the picture right? We all need God to comfort us individually at some point in our lives. Prayer can be the main thing that we can do individually for that person in need.
There are a few things that could be said of the eighth track, “As It Is in Heaven”. The first, wishing that we could be in a place like Heaven now, a place where war, violence, heart-break and other negative aspects of life doesn’t exist. It’s hard coping sometimes in the world of today. Especially if you have read or are familiar with prophetic scriptures like Matthew 24:3-14 & 2 Timothy 3:1-5 then you will know what the song is talking about. Longing for that day when Christ will come back and take us to that place spoken of in the Lord’s Prayer, the way and as it is in Heaven. The song to me gets me thinking, what will that place be like? What will an existence in eternity with the Lord be like? One where we don’t live in fear, alone? I wonder.
The message behind “Reflect You” I think can be best described by what Warren writes in the song-by-song. “No one sets out to fail, yet we all do. I have failed often and watched my heart turn cold and hard and hesitant to try again. I remember when I was a kid, learning that the moon was just a cold dusty rock that had no light of its own. Yet, when the Sun shined on it, the reflection lit up the sky. All of us are cold, dusty rocks floating in the dark, but if we can just catch a glimpse of Christ, the reflection of who He is will light up the world.” Simply put. When I first heard the song, came to mind which says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” John 8:12 can also be referenced here as well.
The last track, a bonus of sorts for the album is the acoustic version of “Love Is Not A Fight”, which obviously the message is the same, but I actually prefer the fourth track version of the song, which seems to have more life to it’s music track.
Sorry for such a long review (I know I am long-winded) but I just wanted to point out everything I was thinking when listening to this album. If you don’t have Warren’s debut or Reach, I would suggest picking them up. By the very least, Worth Fighting For is definitely worth picking up. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
CLOSING THOUGHTS
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If you are not familiar with Warren Barfield, Worth Fighting For is definitely a good album to start with. In close, I think the album has a lot to offer and really throughout got me thinking about things in my life that maybe I hadn’t thought of. The first single, “Love Is Not A Fight” was definitely a track I think convicted and ministered to my wife and I personally. As I mentioned in my May 7th interview with Warren, I really hope and pray that this song (and the movie Fireproof) will minister to and maybe even save marriages out there afflicted by warring, fighting and Lord knows what else. Worth Fighting For can definitely be classified as one of the albums to watch in 2008, one that I pray will be both entertaining and ministering to those who hear it’s music and it’s message. Great job Warren!
Rating: 9.6 out of 10 (96%, A)
Review written by: Jay Heilman
(jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org)
Review can also be found at:
http://www.christianmusicreview.org/warrenbarfield_worthfightingfor.html
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
Love is not a fight| Posted September 21, 2008
This song is one of the best most fitting love songs I have heard in a long time. I also liked the Song not the Singer, really speaks to alot of people.
Clear, Solid Truths| Posted May 20, 2008
Warren Barfield has a strong, clear voice full of integrity and truth.
While the songs on Worth Fighting For do not project a new concept on how humans should conduct a relationship with God, they are sung with strength, comfort, and purpose.
The only song I found really offensive was "Drop the World", in which the narrator begs God to drop the entire world because one woman is lonely and in pain. Granted, "she's lost more than any one person should" and "she is left with no other hope but you", but this is true of many people. I don't know why the narrator couldn't comfort the woman himself, or why he thinks God needs to drop the world in order to provide His love to this woman. I find it offensive that God should demonstrate love for one person more than any other, because I know that God loves all of His children equally and would not need to sacrifice one for another.
Particular Favorites
"Say It With Your Life" - a dance-worthy call to live according to your faiths. The concept is not new, but the beat is infectiously dance-worthy.
"Love is Not a Fight" - a stirring ballad with some very poignant quotes, such as: "If we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door."
"I Reflect You" - another ballad, with perhaps the albums' best reflection. "You are the Son; I am the moon, and I reflect you."
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