The album, The Generous Mr. Lovewell, revolves around a fictional character we created who reminds us that we simply need to love others well. For some of us, it means that we need to put hands and feet on our ideology and rhetoric. For others, it means that we need to continue in doing well, but to not stop there. We need to let people know why we are called to make a difference. Our prayer is that this album would mobilize the body of Christ to encourage people in word and deed.
It's almost like a 'pay-it-forward' idea that revolves around the Cross. We are called to be servants to our neighbors, but if we don't share the gospel with them, it's almost offensive and we have only accomplished a part of what God has called us to do. We need to stop letting the world teach us theology about how to act or speak. We need to encourage one another to provide a helping hand to our neighbor, offer up random acts of kindness and share with others how our lives have been transformed by the power of the Cross. It doesn't take much action - or even many words - to make a difference both here and forever.
- Bart Millard, MercyMe
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#3 Album Of 2010| Posted December 21, 2010
Bart Millard and team have seemed to be on autopilot for a number of years, creating some very solid, but predictable, albums. After their national debut, Almost There, released in August 2001, the band recorded 4 more albums in just 6 years, producing multi-platinum sales, numerous chart topping hits and a solid following culminating in this year's recognition as Billboard magazine?s ?Christian Song Artist of the Decade.? Like them or love them, the group has perfected their songwriting. So it was a surprise when the band took some extra time, to the tune of almost two and a half years, to deliver their sixth studio album, The Generous Mr. Lovewell.
I'm not an album theme guy. It's probably why I can't get into the artier side of music. I enjoy sitting down, getting lost in a great tune and then being moved by the lyrics (in that order). So all the background about building a fictional character, Mr. Lovewell, and writing themes around this and that...it goes in one ear and out the other. It means nothing to me if the music isn't interesting, captivating and rewarding to listen to. But believe me when I say, The Generous Mr. Lovewell, takes the formula that MercyMe has perfected and drop kicks it out of Mr. Lovewell's window.
The Generous Mr. Lovewell is 11 tracks from a popular worship band growing musically and pushing their comfort zone forward. They deliver electronic drives and dance beat feelings on "This Life" and "Move," as well as musical throwbacks to an earlier generation with "Crazy Enough," "Back To You" and "This So Called Love." The band certainly hasn't fully departed their worship AC core evident by the amazing first single, "All Of Creation" as well as the perfected ballads "Only You Remain" and "Won't You Be My Love."
The lyrics are just as powerful, encouraging us to become better people and be the light of the world that God has called us all to be. Overall, a fantastic album from MercyMe that never misses.
MercyMe - The Generous Mr. Lovewell| Posted July 27, 2010
GENRE: POP/ADULT CONTEMPORY/ALTERNATIVE
LABEL: INO RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: MAY 4, 2010
RATING: 5 OUT OF 5
Review By Brian Hall
I have a lot of respect for MercyMe. Of all the AC bands out there, they are the most versatile. They managed to go from a light rock worship style band, to certified generation-gap-closers in a matter of just a few short years. There is a constant sense of forward motion with them; they are never content to be where they are; they always strive to better themselves as artists and as people. The Generous Mr. Lovewell is no exception. When I initially heard the title for this new album, my mind instantly jumped to the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. While it is absurd to compare anything to that album, I feel comfortable enough to say that this is possibly the closest Adult Contemporary CCM has come to holding a match to it.
The (literally) electric opening track This Life is a far cry from anything MM has ever done before. If someone had told me three years ago that MercyMe would put a dance pop song on their album, I honestly would have laughed, yet here it is (and oddly enough, it has more BPM’s than many TobyMac songs…). The title track is a quirky harmony based pop tune that tells the story of the fictional do-gooder the song and album is named after.
Move thrusts listeners into a sonic world occupied by fervent guitars and psychotic synths creating a fluid song that captivates the listener. Crazy Enough, simply put, is a message song. Operating on the idea that “It just may be crazy enough” to try and change the world. It even has a short and simple guitar solo that reminded me of James Bond. The lead single All Of Creation does exactly what it was intended to do; hook the Adult Contemporary crowd and please long time fans. Beautiful, Back To You, Only You Remain, and Free stay in line with the rest of the record; excellent ballads that are full of encouragement and inspiration.
The only moment on the album that I was even mildly bothered by was the bands version of Thad Cockrell & Bart Millard’s Won’t You Be My Love. It made an appearance early this year on the Catalyst Music Project (also from INO Records) and was performed by the effervescent Cockrell. This is a near exact copy of that performance, down to every vocal run and melodic direction. While Bart Millard pulls it off beautifully here, I would have hoped for a more radical alteration to the arrangement. The last track is perfection; short, simple, ethereal, and calming; a truly classy way to end a record.
The Generous Mr. Lovewell is “an idea. He’s a movement. He’s the hope that the little things can add up to a big change.” The focus of the album is Love. Be it Love for one another or Love for God (or the Love of God) the record does not stray from that common thread. And even though musically, this record may not be grandma approved, lyrically and conceptually, you would be hard pressed to find a single issue. The Generous Mr. Lovewell is a must have album this year. Even if you are not a fan of MercyMe, give this record a shot. It is easily one of the band’s best records and history will look back on it kindly.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
MercyMe [The Generous Mr. Lovewell]| Posted April 27, 2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
MercyMe’s new album is called The Generous Mr. Lovewell. The album has already garnered a No.1 song with “All of Creation,” almost four weeks before the release date. “He’s like Buddy the Elf meets Forrest Gump,” says MercyMe singer Bart Millard of the fictitious namesake behind the band’s sixth studio album. “He sees the good in everyone and knows his neighbors enough to know their needs. Mr. Lovewell may not be the next Billy Graham, but he’s changing the world each day in every little word and deed.” His advisory board—Millard, guitarists Mike Scheuchzer and Barry Graul, bassist Nathan Cochran, drummer Robby Shaffer, and keyboard player Jim Bryson—equips the red balloon-toting make-believer with airy ideas (“Pay for a stranger’s lunch today”) that were already being embraced by MercyMe fans before this batch of songs left the studio.
The album kicks off with “This Life” with an electronic rock beat in the style of Electric Light Orchestra. The chorus “this life was meant to shine” sums up the message of the song and album. I’ve been telling people that the new MercyMe album reminds me of a classic theme album like Sgt. Pepper by The Beatles or Songs For Jane by Maroon 5, both in musical diversity and with the challenging lyrics. The title track keeps the dance floor beat going and brings the theme into focus with these lyrics “He wakes up every day believing he’s gonna make a change. ” I was amazed at the energy of the first three songs as “Move” actually takes it up a notch musically. “Move” has a fantastic rock-dance arrangement like “This Love” by Maroon 5. True to form lyrically, the song keeps the Love Well theme going as Bart passionately sings “gonna move to a different drum no matter what life brings.” A major strength of the album is how the theme of loving others is found in every single song mixed with basically three musical styles. “Crazy Enough” and “Back To You” usher in a more laid-back musical style yet continue the focus on Christ’s commandment to “love one another.”
For those looking for MercyMe’s classic worship-filled musical style, “All of Creation,” “Only You Remain,” “Free” and “Won’t You Be My Love” are all worship choruses written for the Church in the style of “You Reign” and “God With Us.” There are no songs that I find out of place and I love how MercyMe seamlessly weaves the best of what I’ve come to expect from this incredible band with some new twists and turns. Amazingly, even after all of those great new songs, the songs I keep coming back to are “Beautiful” and the closing song “This So Called Love.” “Beautiful” was written with the band’s daughters in mind. Having three young daughters, I’m extremely moved by the passion behind the lyrics speaking of how the world says we are never good enough, yet Christ saw something beautiful in us worth dying for. Closing song “This So Called Love” is equally moving as Bart sings “If all that we do is absent of Jesus, then this ‘so-called’ love is completely in vain.”
The message of committing to extravagant selflessness and faithful optimism threads its way through every song, and while “It’s one thing to be kind to someone, to be decent,” Millard concludes, “ if we really believe we have this hope, then to stop short—to not be the hands and feet of Jesus—seems almost offensive. Our dream is for this album to inspire others to ‘pay it forward’ to the cross. It doesn’t have to be about major sacrifices. Just let your life become such that people know what you stand for.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS The Generous Mr. Lovewell is RIDICULOUS!! That means AMAZING if you remember when that word meant something else. If you are like me and have been enjoying this band ever since the first time you heard “I Can Only Imagine,” then surely this is your most anticipated release of 2010. This album truly establishes MercyMe as the premier artist in all of Christian music. I didn't think MercyMe could top All That Is Within Me but The Generous Mr. Lovewell rocks, has some incredible new musical twists and Bart's vocals have never sounded better.
Rating: 9.8 out of 10 (98%, 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!
Generous Mr. Lovewell Review| Posted February 01, 2012 Generous Mr. Lovewell is a great album. I love the variety of songs, from catchy jingles such as the title track, "More", and "Back To You", to great worship music such as "All of Creation" and "Only You Remain". "Beautiful" was up in the Christian charts for quite sometime, and songs such as "Crazy Enough", "This Life", "Won't You Be My Love", and "Free" really makes this album complete. The only surprise I had was that "Only You Remain" did not get radio recognition like "All of Creation", "Beautiful", and "Move". I think that it has a similar sound to other MercyMe hits such as "You Reign" and "God in Us" (not beat, but feel). Overall I recommend this album to any Christian music lover.
Loved lots| Posted May 11, 2010
I loved the worship songs like "All Of Creation" best, and "Won't You Be My Love" is a natural fit for a song. The last track pretty much says it all!
"Lovewell"| Posted May 09, 2010
MercyMe is releasing their seventh full-length album this week, and listening to their music, it’s pretty obvious they are sticking with their tried and true pop/worship style. But it’s not the music that is original this time, but the album title, “The Generous Mr. Lovewell.” After searching around on the Internet for a while, I eventually found what the unique name was all about. Kinda. What this CD really is, is just a concept. Mr. Lovewell is an original character that these guys came up with representing the loving and giving spirit inside all of us. An interesting idea, but did they pull off a some good music too? I’ll answer in the paragraphs below.
Beginning on an upbeat, somewhat techno note, “This Life” is a good start with a lot of fun styling and big beats to go along. The title track comes up next with a feel similar to their earlier hit “So Long Self,” and is a favorite right off the bat with a catchy chorus and some well-produced melodies. Their “Lovewell” message is clear here at the start, but it fades into the mix of things as we edge farther along.
Around halfway comes the lead single from the disc, “All of Creation,” and in genuine MercyMe style, this one is on it’s way to the top with bright worship verses and worth-while lyrics. “Back to You” adds a bit of music flavor to the collection with an irresistible chorus, and though the message is overplayed often, this track is a highlight and fans will enjoy it as well. Later on they settle into an over-produced praise feel, with lengthy, but nicely put to together songs like “Only You Remain” and “Won’t You Be My Love.”
While some might call this a concept album, I would have to disagree. It floats around with this “Mr. Lovewell” brainstorm throughout, but actually never gets to the heart of the whole notion. Aside from the title track, they give some thoughts and gestures toward the image, but overall it doesn’t end up capturing it thoroughly. If the name wasn’t the main advertisement for the album, than I would say that they have conquered what they set out to do: creating a good album. But since “The Generous Mr. Lovewell” is the headliner, I’d say that didn’t quite accomplish what they were wanting. Otherwise, I’d say this CD is full of great songs, and it is worth the money for any fan of MercyMe or CCM music of any kind. ~ Christian Lingner
"Lovewell"| Posted May 09, 2010
MercyMe is releasing their seventh full-length album this week, and listening to their music, it’s pretty obvious they are sticking with their tried and true pop/worship style. But it’s not the music that is original this time, but the album title, “The Generous Mr. Lovewell.” After searching around on the Internet for a while, I eventually found what the unique name was all about. Kinda. What this CD really is, is just a concept. Mr. Lovewell is an original character that these guys came up with representing the loving and giving spirit inside all of us. An interesting idea, but did they pull off a some good music too? I’ll answer in the paragraphs below.
Beginning on an upbeat, somewhat techno note, “This Life” is a good start with a lot of fun styling and big beats to go along. The title track comes up next with a feel similar to their earlier hit “So Long Self,” and is a favorite right off the bat with a catchy chorus and some well-produced melodies. Their “Lovewell” message is clear here at the start, but it fades into the mix of things as we edge farther along.
Around halfway comes the lead single from the disc, “All of Creation,” and in genuine MercyMe style, this one is on it’s way to the top with bright worship verses and worth-while lyrics. “Back to You” adds a bit of music flavor to the collection with an irresistible chorus, and though the message is overplayed often, this track is a highlight and fans will enjoy it as well. Later on they settle into an over-produced praise feel, with lengthy, but nicely put to together songs like “Only You Remain” and “Won’t You Be My Love.”
While some might call this a concept album, I would have to disagree. It floats around with this “Mr. Lovewell” brainstorm throughout, but actually never gets to the heart of the whole notion. Aside from the title track, they give some thoughts and gestures toward the image, but overall it doesn’t end up capturing it thoroughly. If the name wasn’t the main advertisement for the album, than I would say that they have conquered what they set out to do: creating a good album. But since “The Generous Mr. Lovewell” is the headliner, I’d say that didn’t quite accomplish what they were wanting. Otherwise, I’d say this CD is full of great songs, and it is worth the money for any fan of MercyMe or CCM music of any kind. ~ Christian Lingner
Mr. Lovewell Really Delivers| Posted May 08, 2010
WOW I cant describe how much I love this record. I really enjoyed All Of Creation and since I got a preorder I got Move early to and I really liked it aswell once I downloaded the whole album I found that the first song is now probably my favorite! I really like the different sound on this album I congratulate them on taking a different course on this record. I will be playing this one for a long time to come! Dont forget to Lovewell thats the whole message of this record to Love someone Well not just a hand shake but a hug, not just a sandwich maybe a whole sack of groceries, not just mowing the neighbors yard but have a conversation find out about them and love them well!
Speachless| Posted May 06, 2010
I can't speak, so I will type. The energy on this album is ridiculous. The lyrics are deep and full of love, however this is not bubble-gum pop that doesn't change lives. This entire album is a call to action. Just listen to the lyrics on "Crazy Enough:" "Reaching out to the ones who need help/
Treating them as you first would treat yourself/
Now that would be insane..." The whole theme of this album is to be counter-cultural, and to live out the biblical mandate of loving your neighbor as you love yourself. The honesty of "Beautiful" is touching, and will be played (or should be played) at many daughter-daddy dances. The mixing is superb, Bart's vocals are top notch and shows a lot of range. Everyone's (as in the band) beats through each of these songs. While many songs don't sound like MercyMe, it's only because the rawness of their previous songs. Everything is polished, and neatly done. You will enjoy this even if you aren't a MercyMe fan. Awesome!
MercyMe, The Generous Mr. Lovewell| Posted May 05, 2010
I liked this album. What really struck me is some of the syncopations in this album. They are different form anything else that I have heard on an album. I think because of the synvopations, it makes you concentrate more on the lyrics.
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