Amy Grant [Somewhere Down The Road]
Posted March 25, 2010
By christianmusicreview,
[MAIN REVIEW]
Amy Grant returns with Somewhere Down The Road, a unique album full of brand new songs, previously unreleased songs, re-recordings of classics, and rounded out with 4 of her best loved story-songs. I’ve been listening to Amy Grant for over 25 years as I first heard “El-Shaddai,” “Thy Word” and “Tennessee Christmas” when I was in high school in 1985. Like many avid Christian music collectors, I agree that 1988’s Lead Me On was one of the most influential albums in the history of Christian music. Amy truly paved the way for all female artists and today I hear her influence in some of my favorite artists including Sara Groves and Bethany Dillon, who released two of my top 10 albums of 2009. So, where does that put Amy today in 2010? That’s the main question I’ve been asking myself as I’ve been thoroughly enjoying her first new album since 2003’s Simple Things.
For me, the beginning of the album completely reminds me why I’m such a long-time fan of Amy’s music, as first song and single “Better Than A Hallelujah” addresses the topic of being honest with yourself & God. Her vocals are still stellar and the poignant message behind this song has me hooked again, similar to Amy’s classic songs “Lead Me On” and “Saved By Love,” both in catchiness and transparency. Next song “Overnight” really grabbed me as Amy’s vocals are complemented by her first ever duet with her 17 year old daughter Sarah Chapman. The song is about learning to wait for answers to questions and is a wonderful song with great relevance in passing down advice from mother to daughter. Having 3 young daughters myself, who all love Amy’s music, this is a great new song that really moves me.
There are a few previously recorded songs including “Every Road,” “Somewhere Down The Road,” MercyMe’s “Imagine” and a new recording of the classic “Arms Of Love.” All of the songs fit seamlessly into the fabric of the overall album, which has a folk music feel and is very enjoyable. If you’re looking for circa 1991’s Heart In Motion type songs like “Baby Baby” or “Every Heartbeat,” you won’t find them here.
The rest of the album includes some other new songs, highlighted by “Unafraid,” which may be my favorite overall new song as Amy sings about her own children and her mother with a great reminder that “love can make, love will make, make you unafraid.” It is a gorgeous song and really sets the tone for the album. The remaining new songs include “Hard Times,” “Find What You’re Looking For,” written for Mary Elizabeth Chapman, the grandmother of Amy’s 3 oldest children and “Third World Woman.” Previously unreleased “What Is The Chance of That” and “Come Into My World,” which is about learning to listen to people before ‘fixing’ them, also fit nicely into the overall theme of the album: stories & journeys. Amy has always been a great storyteller and many of her most impactful songs have come from her own journey as she sings about the honesty of life, its joys and struggles, and ultimately the hope she has found in faith and love.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I truly enjoy every song on the album, especially new recordings “Better Than A Hallelujah,” “Overnight,” “Unafraid” and “Come Into My World.” If you were fond of Amy’s 1997 recording Behind The Eyes, one of my all-time favorite albums, then you will certainly want to listen to Somewhere Down The Road. For me, the way that Amy’s albums all reflect her stage in life is what continues to further establish her all-time legacy which includes over 25 million album sales, an incredible feat in any genre.
Rating: 8.8 out of 10 (88%, B+)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
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