MercyMe [10]| Posted April 07, 2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
It has been 10 years since MercyMe frontman Bart Millard penned “I Can Only Imagine,” a touchingly personal song based on his father’s early death. It has sold more than 2 million units, crossed over into multiple radio formats, and been adopted as an anthem by hurting people around the world.
To celebrate the epic anniversary of one of the most popular and powerful songs in Christian music history, MercyMe is releasing “10”, a must-have new CD/DVD set. The CD features 12 of MercyMe’s best-loved songs spanning their five studio releases as well as three bonus tracks—including a new recording of “I Can Only Imagine” with the London Symphony Orchestra, the never-released track “Only Temporary,” plus the kids’ tune “10 Simple Rules.” The DVD contains both live and concept videos of all their best songs.
The best opinion I can share about this collection comes from my nine year old daughter Natalie as we were watching the DVD together she asked me with intense interest: “they (MercyMe) really wrote and sang all of these songs?” She had heard all twelve ‘greatest hits’, including eleven #1 hit songs before and was surprised that so many hit songs were recorded by the same band. As a fan of this band for the past decade I gladly shared with her that yes MercyMe did in fact write and record all of these songs, making them one of the premier Christian artists. What’s amazing to me as a fan of MercyMe is how many songs I love that aren’t on the collection including “Here Am I”, “Love Of God”, “Keep Singing”, “You’re To Blame” and “Sanctified”. This is a truly great collection of songs. I like the mix as well, blending hit songs from “All That Is Within Me” (2007), “Coming Up To Breathe” (2006), “Undone” (2004), “Spoken For” (2003) and “Almost There” (2001). Rather than as a chronology, the songs are mixed almost by theme with songs about self-reflection, praise and worship and then personal prayer-songs.
I also liked the 3 additional songs, however I prefer the original or acoustic versions of “I Can Only Imagine” over the London Symphony version. The other 2 songs are nice rarities and the children’s song “10 Simple Rules” is a neat and catchy song about the 10 Commandments. The DVD is also great for collectors. In the same order as the CD, the songs are shown either as live performances or the music video accordingly. The concept video for “Here Am I” is a great depiction of my life verse Isaiah 6:8 and the story behind “I Can Only Imagine” is touching and personal, which is one of the reasons the song has had so much impact on people.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you want all the best songs by MercyMe, then this collection is for you. Even if you already have the songs, get the collection just for the extra songs and the great DVD.
Rating: 9.3 out of 10 (93%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
10| Posted July 23, 2010
this album truly defines MercyMe as one of the most successful christian rock artists of all time. I love every song and each one either tells a story or has a meaning that sings for itself. this is the best greatest hits album you can buy at the moment. if Casting Crowns had a greatest hits i still think MercyMe's would do better.
Great CD| Posted May 04, 2010
All the songs are great on this CD even if you can get the live version they are even better. Especially You Reign and So Long Self. Check out Word of God Speak of course.
10 Things to Love About MercyMe| Posted June 13, 2009
I bought this CD recently when I saw MercyMe in concert, and I have yet to take this cd out of the player. I can't get enough of the encouraging lyrics and great beats. All the songs on this album are ones that you have heard on the radio before, but when you really sit down and listen to them, you gain a new perspective on the songs.
Greatest Hits Indeed| Posted May 20, 2009
I am not a huge Mercy Me fan. On every album they have bits and pieces that I enjoy but find the overall cd lacking. Finally a greatest hits album. This has all there #1 hits plus 3 new songs with the london symphony orchestra.
Since it is a package deal I am also giving the review on the dvd too. Not only does the cd bring their best hits but also has music videos, live performances, story behind the song, and more. So this truely is the ideal package for the fans.
They are a little to contemporary for me, but I must admit they have great songs around, i can only imagine, so long self, homesick, bring the rain, and word of god speak to name a few.
They are also one of the few bands around that knows how to produce a greatest hits album because it features all their #1 hits to date and has tons of bonus video. To many bands put out a greatest hits album, then a new album, then another greatest hits album to include the new songs. example Newsboys. They have 5 greatest hits albums 3 normal 1 worship 1 live.(which is similar to a greatest hits except that it is live). Also liked the fact they included a dvd full of extras.
This is a greatest hits collection. Love the cd mix + video content. Not much new they bring to the table but the bonus songs aren't to shabby. If they release another greatest hits anytime soon I will be frustrated, but for now it works.
"10" Years Of Great Music.| Posted April 03, 2009
"10" is a celebration of the 10 years of music since "I Can Only Imagine" released in 1999, and it is an album to praise. It features 12 of MercyMe's #1 hits and 3 all new recordings. The CD shows the bands wide range over the years in both style, and spiritual maturity. With classics like "So Long Self", "Word Of God Speak", and new hits "God With Us" and "Finally Home", any long time fan, or newcomer will be impressed with the collection. The new recording of "I Can Only Imagine" however is the shining achievment of this album. The arrangment features the London Session Orchestra, and is a near perfect 5 min. of music. The album falls flat with its two, 100% new, songs. The first "Only Temporary" has wonderful lyrics, but are lost in the upbeat bluesey sound, while the second "10 Simple Rules" really is borderline embarassing. It would sound more at home on a "Silly Songs with Larry" album than a Grammy award winning adult contemporary one.
In all its a nice set on the CD, and the DVD is worth the money for its near Dozen music videos/live performances, and the GMC's "Faith and Fame" piece on the band.
MM| Posted March 14, 2009
In my opinion this is the best cd they have made. I like almost every song on it and it is cool because I don't even really like rock music Yet I like their album.
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