Aaron Shust delivers his third album in classic Shust style. Produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp, Take Over continues his Praise & Worship legacy, while expanding the songwriting boundaries. For this outing, Aaron co-wrote songs with Ingram, Brandon Heath, Matthew West ,Ian Eskelin, Matt Bronleewe and others. The first single, “To God Alone”, is climbing the radio charts and will rival the success of “My Savior My God”. Take Over is a perennial seller in the making.
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Aaron Shust [Take Over]| Posted August 27, 2009
Best New Artist of 2006 Aaron Shust returns with his 3rd album, ?Take Over? on 8/4/09. The writer and singer of hit songs ?My Savior My God?, ?Give Me Words To Speak? and ?Watch Over Me? once again has written songs of praise and worship set to a nice soft rock musical style. Fans of Bebo Norman, Jeremy Riddle, Jeremy Camp and John Waller should enjoy this album. Aaron has a deep voice and sincere singing style that for me best compares to Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers.
Opening song ?To God Alone? is my favorite song on the album. The song has an uplifting message captured in the chorus: ?To God alone be the Glory, To God alone be the praise, Everything I say and do, Let it be all for You, The Glory is Yours alone, Yours alone?. I can imagine singing ?To God Alone? in worship with fellow believers. The song has already made an impact on Christian radio charts and if you like Aaron?s previous hit songs of worship, then you?ll also enjoy this song and album. ?Come And Save Us? is my next favorite on the album and is the most rocking song ever by Aaron and reminded me of Jeremy Camp?s hit song ?Speaking Louder Than Before?.
?Take Over? continues with more signature style songs by Aaron including ?Forevermore? with very biblical lyrics and a personal calling out to God in faithfulness. The words are inspired by Isaiah 46:9-10. The title song is another standout song for me and reflects my own desire to trust in God completely with the convicting lyrics ?I surrender all I have, And I surrender all I am, As I remember what You've done to set me free?. ?Take Over? is a song I keep coming back to on this very solid album.
The album includes several more songs of personal worship which struck me, especially ?Rest In The Arms? and ?Still You Love Me?. I especially love the confession in ?Still You Love Me? where Aaron praises God for His grace and mercy for still loving us while we are still sinners. ?You see everything I do, And still You love me?. The album is filled with messages of hope, confession and worship to our Great God and Savior.
This is my favorite overall album by Dove Award winning artist Aaron Shust. For me, the standout songs are ?To God Alone?, ?Come And Save Us?, ?Take Over? and ?Still You Love Me?. If you liked previous hit songs by Aaron Shust, then you?ll enjoy ?Take Over?.
THIRD PROJECT PURE EXCELLENCE FOR “OLD SOUL” WORSHIP LEADER| Posted August 18, 2009
t’s barely been two years since Aaron Shust swept the 2007 Dove Awards with a trio of wins including “Songwriter of the Year” and “Song of the Year,” two trophies generally awarded to veterans, not a new artist releasing a worship record off a secular label. But considering the previous year saw the worship leader’s “My Savior, My God” nab the No. 1 spot on every Gospel chart imaginable—and stay there—the reward seemed reasonable.
Nonetheless, every blockbuster has to have a follow-up. And rarely is it as impressive, as Shust’s 2007’s effort Whispered and Shouted proved. Thankfully, Take Over is everything his sophomore release could have been, both from a commercial vantage point and in lyrical quality.
Squashed between anthemic corporate sing-alongs “To God Alone” and “Forevermore,” “Come and Save Us” is the singer/songwriter’s hardest-hitting song to date. Propelled by the urgency of his message as well as gritty guitar riffs, driving snares and one killer bass line, Shust produces the same commercial mega-draw as Chris Tomlin, but with a darker tint.
And that “dark” vibe carries throughout the entire record. It’s the same element that causes Sara Groves to stand apart from, say, Natalie Grant. Both perform incredible songs, but the delivery is different. Just like Groves, it sounds as if life is lived a bit deeper in Shust’s catalog than in most modern worship libraries. Frankly, he’s got more soul. With an effortlessly warm baritone, he exhales each lyric, covering an entire arena with one breath, floating the power ballad “Stars Will Fall” much like Coldplay’s Chris Martin carries “Fix You,” but without the need for excessive reverb and delay.
Similarly, closing hymn “Carry Me Home” allows the old soul’s voice to nuance each and every space. It’s sad but hopeful, melancholic but realistic. Bittersweet, but oh, so lovely—the latter, a remark worthy of Shust’s entire third effort. —Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Aaron Shust [Take Over]| Posted June 28, 2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
Aaron Shust’s latest release, Take Over is a solid compilation of prayerful lyrics with gentle hooks on a backdrop of mid-range contemporary acoustic rhythms. The album is less moody than the last, but stays true to the introspective depth of expression and worship you expect from Aaron Shust. This is not an album of one or two standout hits. Rather, it’s a full album where the more you listen to it, the more it draws you in and you appreciate the music. Take Over very much plays like one man’s prayer and petition to the Lord. There’s gratefulness and beauty in Aaron’s expressions of adoration.
For younger fans there are a few up-tempo tracks like “Come Save Us” and “Still You Love Me”, but as is consistent with Aaron’s style, listeners should expect arrangements that keep a moderate-to-slow pace. For those of us that appreciate the power of slow builds resonant with praise, Aaron delivers again and again. Songs like “Rest In The Arms” which declares, “You can rest in the arms of The One who holds you. Rest in the arms of The One who knows you. Rest in the arms of The One who won’t let go…” and “Forevermore”, with lyrics, “There is no other God before You. No one can replace You. You are forevermore…” (inspired by Isaiah 46:9-10) are vehicles for you to sing out to the Lord.
Aaron’s God-given ability to capture heartfelt, honest moments and express them in psalmist fashion is not only captivating, but award-worthy. Now on his third studio album, Aaron has already garnered the Song Of The Year award for the song “My Savior My God. For those that follow Aaron’s music, there is no doubt that his lyrics are one of the central elements that sets him apart from other artists. Among my favorites on this album include lyrics from the title track, “Take Over” which exclaim, “I tried to run. I tried to fight you, I’m done. I’m giving up. I’ve learned to trust You, Your love…Can you take over, take over – can you take over me? I’ve been here over and over again, here on my knees. I’m only closer and closer to where I wanna be. When you take over, take over – can you take over me?” This album is special as well because so many of the lyrics explore the depths of the soul of the believer.
There was a great deal of anticipation for Aaron Shust’s third album after the breakout successes of Anything Worth Saying (2005) and Whispered And Shouted (2007). In the end, I find Take Over to be even more hopeful and upbeat than Whispered And Shouted, though similarly compelling. With Take Over, Aaron Shust continues on with his signature artistry, putting forth a solid effort that is certain to be well received by both fans and critics alike.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Aaron’s latest album, Take Over is a vehicle of praise. If you’ll replay this album again and again and let it soak into your soul, you’ll find it not only to be inspired, but inspiring. The great thing about Aaron’s music is its depth of message. Believers in their daily walks can easily identify with Aaron’s sentiments. This is a good album to take on a car trip, to play in the office, to listen to during a morning jog, or during a commute. You’ll want to have this one in your collection – I am so glad to have it in mine.
For more Reviews by Aaron, visit:
http://www.reviewsbyaaron.com
Rating: 9.1 out of 10 (91%, A-)
Review written by: Aaron Hassen | 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!
Powerful| Posted July 01, 2013
There are some really fantastic songs on this album. To God Alone, Forevermore and Take Over and Rest In The Arms were songs that helped me come to know God personally. These songs are powerful.
This is definitely one of Aaron Shust's best albums
Awesome Album!| Posted March 08, 2011
This album, in my opinion, was the best of 2009. Every single song has an awesome message. My favorite is "Stars Will Fall". Such a pretty sound, awesome message.
I LOVE this album. Highly recommended!
Kind of mediocre| Posted November 17, 2009
I like the first single, "To God Alone" but most of the other songs passed right by me. "Ever After" is the most unusual of all of them, with Peter Pan references.
Aaron Shust, Take Over| Posted August 08, 2009
I liked the album. The songs had a good message. I was listening to this album while doing other things and this album was almost hypnotic. The lyrics are very clear and are easily understood.
I'm an awful review-writer but I'll speak out on this one. Just got this in the mail yesterday and I'm loving it. Had enjoyed what I had heard before its release (via the songs on his web site and his YouTube "leaks") but it's good to hear the whole thing in its entirety. In the liner notes he talks about how it was his most collaborative album to date, but nothing jumps out as "out of place" on this album (though the "pick the Brandon Heath-penned tune" game is an easy one. ;-)
The lyrics are meaningful and from the heart, the music is solid. It's all good. Don't think I can pick a favorite song yet. I know the 4 songs that were pre-released on the web site have all had their turn getting stuck in my head.
Another note: I've been one to buy mp3 albums with greater frequency lately, but I bit on the pre-order offer from Aaron's web site, and I'm glad I did. The liner notes from the CD are substantial, with Aaron offering up journals for each song on the CD. I'd highly recommend the "physical media" for this particular album.
Shust just keeps getting better.| Posted August 05, 2009
"Take Over" is by far one of the best albums of 2009. There are many songs that make you fall to your knees and pray to God. Songs like "To God Alone," "Take Over," "Still You Love Me," and "Rest In the Arms." There are really no weak songs on this album. The whole album is filled with passion, worship, and energy. One of the rare gems in the fluttering Christian music scene right now. A must buy, or download...whatever you do LEGALLY.
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