It’s been a busy couple years for Meredith Andrews since her debut project, “The Invitation” released in April, 2007.
She’s had top five singles, Dove Award Nominations and has toured the country with some of CCM’s finest (Aaron Shust, Brandon Heath, WinterJam, and recent Fall 2009 tour with Michael W. Smith).
Meredith has followed her heart for missions in Haiti and India, continued to pursue her passion for the church as Worship Leader at Chicago’s Harvest Bible Chapel, as well as recording her second project, As Long As It Takes.
Heavily influenced by new experiences and by the people she’s met along the way, this body of work combines the power and passion of her amazing vocals with her heart for God and the people He places in her path.
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01.
Never Move On
02.
Only To Be Yours
03.
Can Anybody Hear Me?
04.
As Long As It Takes
05.
Come Home
06.
All Will Fade Away
07.
What It Means To Love
08.
Live Through Me
09.
My Soul Sings
10.
In Your Arms
11.
How Great Is The Love (featuring Paul Baloche)
Meredith Andrews [As Long As It Takes]| Posted March 02, 2010 [MAIN REVIEW]
Produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp, the duo that also produced Word Records recording artist Meredith Andrews’ debut record The Invitation, As Long As It Takes is the result of a two year wait since the release that launched the hits “You Invite Me In”, “You’re Not Alone” and “New Song We Sing.” She was accurately described as one of Billboard Magazine’s “Faces to Watch” in 2008. For me, Meredith brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen. My favorite albums are the ones that continue to provide new revelations over time by savoring them and The Invitation paved the way for that experience. As Long As It Takes is in that same mold and is fitting as the title track is based on Meredith’s experiencing the pressure of song-writing, “I was empty and tired and feeling this pressure. It's the music industry and when you're writing for your sophomore record, they say that's the hardest to write. I was trying to prove myself. Okay God, this is where I am. I'm helpless. I'm empty and dry, but I'm just going to sit here until you fill me and wait until you speak and until you move me.”
I think I can safely say in my opinion that God answered Meredith’s prayer of faithfully waiting on Him. I didn’t think it was possible, but somehow this album has topped The Invitation. I find that what I liked most about Meredith’s first album were the amazing album tracks that weren’t singles like “The River” and “Who Is Like You,” which in my opinion are equaled with standout songs “Never Move On” and “In Your Arms,” which was co-written with Jared Anderson of Desperation Band. There are also many songs that I expect will make their way onto Christian radio, starting with the lead single “Can Anybody Hear Me?”, which has already climbed into the Top 20. “Live Through Me” and “My Soul Sings,” co-written with Stu Garrard of Delirious? are in the vein of “New Song We Sing” and “You Invite Me In” and I hope to sing those songs with fellow believers in the near future, along with closing song “How Great Is The Love” which was co-written by well-known worship leader Paul Baloche, who also recorded the song on his album Glorious.
As Long As It Takes includes eleven new tracks from the singer-songwriter who wrote or co-wrote every song based on her life experiences. “Come Home” was written for Andrews’ younger brother. “What It Means To Love” was inspired by a life changing encounter with a young orphan boy diagnosed as HIV positive, McKinsley, that Andrews met on her first trip to Haiti.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like Natalie Grant, Nichole Nordeman and Bethany Dillon, then you’ll really enjoy Meredith Andrews. If you are looking for one of the top female solo albums of the year, then look no further than As Long As It Takes, which currently holds a spot in my top 10 albums of 2010 and will be hard to replace as I’m sure it will continue to challenge, inspire and move me. This is truly a great album and uplifting worship experience.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 (95%, 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!
WORSHIP POWERHOUSE'S SECOND BATCH MUCH OF THE SAME| Posted March 23, 2010
Over the past couple of years, worship leader/singer/songwriter Meredith Andrews' contagious brand of pop worship has safely positioned her as one of the brightest new artists in Christian music. And with her sophomore record, As Long as It Takes, she continues the trend with a set of songs produced to appeal to both her praise and worship constituency and radio playlists.
From the chorus downbeat, "Can Anybody Hear Me" issues an infectious rock/pop performance akin to Britt Nicole and "Live Through Me" incorporates pulsing keyboard intervals in an electrifying, BarlowGirl-worthy halftime refrain.
"My Soul Sings" authorizes Andrews as a Hillsong United contemporary, dispensing a driving, hands-lifted-high anthem similar to her down under modern worship associates and "How Great is the Love," easily the record's brightest track, showcases her sturdy songwriting chops, having co-penned the lovely chorus with Texas worship extraordinaire Paul Baloche, who also contributes a duet vocal for this recording.
Conjuring up comparisons to Natalie Grant in its dynamic and Kari Jobe in its sweetness, Andrews' powerful vocal carries this project from top to bottom. And though As Long as it Takes boasts clean production from producer pros, Jason Ingram/Rusty Varenkamp (Bebo Norman, Tenth Avenue North), it doesn't cut the creative edge to differentiate Andrews from her peers, creating a wash of sound all too often associated with worship music of recent years.
Andrews is definitely talented and certainly here to stay. I just hope her catalog continues to diversify over time. -Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Lovely music| Posted March 06, 2010
I've liked Meredith since I first heard "You Invite Me In". Her music is beautiful and reassuring. My favorite songs are "Never Move On" and "Only To be Yours"
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