New from NEEDTOBREATHE
Posted July 31, 2021
By BPence,
Into the Mystery is NEEDTOBREATHE’s eighth full-length studio album. It debuted at #1 on the iTunes “Top Albums” charts upon release, and is one of my top albums of 2021 thus far.
During the pandemic, the band recorded the album over a three-week period at a historic house turned recording studio in Columbia, Tennessee with co-producer and engineer Konrad Snyder, and special guests. Into the Mystery follows closely 2020’s Out of Body and 2021’s Live from the Woods Vol. 2.
Themes from Bear Rinehart’s lyrics include reflecting back, longing to be loved, being easier on yourself, God’s love for us, taking chances,
Below are brief comments about each song:
What I’m Here For – This autobiographical song has Bear looking back to his teens and twenties. A theme is being easier on yourself. The song features acoustic guitar, backing vocals, drums, bass, keys and strings.
Key lyric:
I don't need silver linings
I don't need so much more
I just need room to be wrong sometimes
That's all I'm hoping for
Into the Mystery – This song features acoustic guitar, backing vocals, electric guitar, bass, drums and organ. The song is about longing to hear that one is loved, be it a human love or supernatural love.
Key lyric:
'Cause I just wanna be loved by you
I cannot resist the need to hear you say it
Whatever you do, I will be there
Son, I will follow you anywhere
Sunshine – The band has said life is going to occasionally lead to disappointment and some very sobering mistakes. This is a song about being kind to yourself. The song features organ, drums, guitar, bass, and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
I, I wanna see you running through the field sometimes
I wanna see your eyes looking up through your hands to the sky
Tell 'em we feel alright, we're living in sunshine
Carry Me – This song was written by Bear Rinehart and Jon Foreman. This is a campfire song about wanting God to carry us from the river's mouth, to the mountain peak, through the great divide and the valley deep features Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. The song features acoustic guitar, drums, keys, piano and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
All the ashes and scars they fail
They pale in comparison to yours
I Am Yours – This song about God’s love for us features the band’s original drummer Joe Stillwell. The song features synth, guitar, banjo, backing vocals, drums, bass, drums and keys.
Key lyrics:
If I had to write a story
Of the greatest love in time
I would have to sing of you
Chances – This beautiful song about taking chances was written by Bear Rinehart. Rinehart woke up early one day while the band was recording the album and he wrote this song, which the band recorded that day. The acoustic guitar driven song features backing vocals, piano, strings, and electric guitar.
Key lyric:
It's always hard to find the courage to start dancing
But I am determined to take my chances
But peace can be hard to find in all this misunderstanding
I am determined to take my chances
Sittin’ in the Backseat – This song has Rinehart reflecting back on his family’s red 1986 Chevette, and remembering how free and fun it felt to sit in the car and look at the stars as they were riding down the road. The song, which features a memorable chorus, features guitar, keys, bass and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
We were young and we were undefeated
Give Me a Chance – This was a live take in the studio, and features Joe Stillman on drums. It’s a fun “jingle jangle rock song”. The song features guitar, tambourine, backing vocals, drums, piano, hand claps, organ and a few guitar solos.
Key lyrics:
Give me a chance to be your man, baby
Don’t Throw All The Good Things Away – This song was written by Bear Rinehart and Natalie Hemby, and features Hemby. Rinehart has said that it’s easy to get caught up in what we’re doing and forget about relationships. Most of the time he looks back on those decisions with regret, so this song was a reminder of that. The song features acoustic guitar, keys, strings, bass and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Don't spit on the grave while your family weeps
Don't throw all the good things away
Innocence – This is about Rinehart’s grandmother. The song features piano, drums, bass, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
I wanna rest
My weary bones on your providence
I wanna find somewhere that I can
Recover my innocence
I Wanna Remember – This song was written by Bear Rinehart and features Carrie Underwood. The song features keys, acoustic and electric guitar, drums, piano and backing vocals. The band has said that it is about life’s fleetingness, and is a nostalgic song that takes you back to the moments you never want to forget.
Key lyric:
I wanna memorize you, wanna stay here forever
'Cause I, I
I take a picture in my mind so we're always together
'Cause I, I wanna remember
West Texas Wind – This song reflects back on when the band was first touring in a van and would drive across the country. As the band went through Amarillo, it would be windy on the interstates, and they would literally see tractor trailers blown over on the side of the road. The song has Rinehart reflecting on the good life he has led. Yes, he’s made mistakes and hurt those he loves. He needs God again and is ready to let the world go. The song features piano, guitar, backing vocals, bass, organ and drums.
Key lyric:
I'm running to you like a west Texas wind
Singing God I need you, oh, how I need you
God I need you again
Best Songs
What I’m Here For
Sunshine
I Wanna Remember
Carry Me
I Am Yours
Chances
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