“Sunrise” is a good way to describe What if We
Posted August 14, 2008
By Nathan,
What if we quit our jobs and served the poor? What if we don’t need all the things the world convinces us we do? What if we are exactly where we need to be right now? What if we aren’t? What if we trusted each other? What if we forgave a bitter enemy? These were just a few questions running through Bandon Heaths head as he contemplated his sophomore effort, What If We.
After a few radio singles – the highlight being “I’m not who I was” – off of his debut album Don’t get Comfortable, he released his first single off of his new album “give me your eyes”, which seems to be destined to be a hit. It’s not surprising the appeal of Heath’s music as he brilliantly weaves emotional pop into his adult contemporary songs which keeps a regular audience. Fans of contemporary Christian music will hear musical bits reminiscent of Jars of Clay, Matthew West, and Chris Rice. The first single “give me your eyes” has a catchy beat in the adult contemporary base though pop also has an influence. The piano driven ballad “London” has a great flow, also the story is driven half by the lyrics and half by the emotional music.
“Fight another day” is a weaker track which is basically a upbeat song that you can dance too, but “sore eyes” has a clever up beat pop tune which is a little quirky. Among the ballads like “London” and the acoustic “when I’m alone” What If We contains a lot of lights catchy fun tracks like “wait and see” and “sunrise” which has a more up tempo and southern twist on the adult contemporary song. “No not one” is slightly reminiscent of the hymn and like the CD, it’s honest but like a good portion of the album, nothing eye popping.
Mark Shultz is known for mixing spiritual messages in his story songs, and although Brandon Heath isn’t that in depth, there are some parallels as to how he tells his story. “Give me your eyes” is a plea to God for a desire for the love and the reach for people, and “wait and see” goes through the journey of a trouble maker with a ending of hope (‘There is hope, for me yet, because God won’t forget, all the plans he’s made for me’). “London” is a brilliant song and though it may not discuss God openly as other tracks such as “trust you” and “no not one” which are really not that deep lyrically. “Trust you” says: (‘I’m not gonna fight you anymore/I’m not gonna try to lock the door/You took my life and gave me yours/There’s no reason why, I shouldn’t trust you with mine’).
A pretty solid effort all around, as there is a nice mix of emotional and inspirational pop and adult contemporary. His ballads are strong but there is nothing really exceptional musically. Good lyrics abound and Brandon Heath succeeds with his questions and ahis sophomore piece What if We.
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