This Beautiful Republic [Perceptions]
Posted October 07, 2008
By christianmusicreview,
[MAIN REVIEW]
Just over a year ago, This Beautiful Republic debuted with their album, Even Heroes Need A Parachute. Their newest album, Perceptions, deals with the difference between how we see ourselves and how God sees us. About half way through trying to critique this album, I stopped in my tracks, sat back and said, “Wow, they’re good.” Not only are the lyrics honest and thought-provoking, but the music is exciting and unique. Sophomore albums have a tendency to sound too much like the first albums, or all the music sounds the same. But Perceptions has decidedly shown some serious growth in musicality and message.
Members of This Beautiful Republic are Adam Smith, Jeremy Kunkle, Brandon Paxton, and Andy Smith, and lead singer Ben Olin. The style could be classified as anything from pop to hardcore. In a press release, Olin says that “the title deals with the idea that there are at least two sides to every story. Things inevitably appear different to each individual based on their experiences, predispositions, prejudices, or vantage point. When we understand this—that what we see may not be the whole truth—we arrive where grace and love prevail.”
The first song, “Pain”, is a beautiful parallel of our relationship with God; a love song to Him. He’s always there, ready to love. It’s us who are hesitant and unsure if we want to open up our hearts. We’re too afraid of what we might lose, or what pain we might go through. But He’s always there, waiting. “We won't fall again, / if you will let me lead / We’ll fall in love, / if you will hold to me / Never let go, / endure the pain to find no pain at all.”
Tracks two and three, “Surrender Saved My Life,” and “Learning to Fall,” are both about personal surrender. We’ve all got at least one war waging inside of us. Like the apostle Paul said in Romans 7:24, “What a wretched man I am! Who will save me from this body of death?” Sometimes we are so disgusted by ourselves we just want to cry out. There is no getting out of our self-dug pits without surrendering to God. But the passage continues on in verse 25 saying, “Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “Surrender Saved My Life” tells us to wave our white flag, give ourselves up, and give it all to God. “Must I open up again? / I don't need this / Healing hurts a little more, / but I'll be stronger than before…”
Track four, “Beautifully Broken,” is about being broken and made new by Jesus, and also how Jesus was beautifully broken on the cross for us. There is a lot of scripture filling these words. This song comes back to the theme of perception: difference between how we see us and how God sees us. “So You see me as Your own / Holy in the light of Your redemption / By the blood and by the thorn / We’re called to life.”
Track seven talks about how overwhelming the love of God can be. We can’t understand truly that Jesus loved us individually enough to die for us. We are so undeserving. Basically, it’s saying, I am such a sinner, how can I ever love enough? Why did Jesus die for me? It’s so beyond what we can understand. “For the life of me I can't explain / The reason You died and the reason You came / was for the life of me.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Throughout the album, Perceptions offers listeners serious questions that are asked and struggled with by most Christians, young and old. The last few songs deal with grace, second chances, changing the world, and death. Sometimes life seems desperate and we feel quite lost, but the answer always needs to come back to Jesus. Looking at ourselves and others the way Jesus does will make all the difference, no matter what circumstances life brings. This CD has something to offer everyone that will listen. It’s a great album, and I highly recommend getting your copy right away.
Rating: 8.9 out of 10 (89%, B+)
Review written by: Liz Zelinski | Review can also be found here.
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