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JFH Music Review




Matthew West
History



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 39 seconds
Street Date: June 21, 2005


Matthew West can write a hit single. He proved it a few times over on his debut Happy two years ago. If you're not familiar with the name, he's the guy who wrote "More," - the "I love you more than the sun and stars" song (Everyone with a collective "Ohhh…that guy!). He also wrote the quirky "The End," and the sweet "You Know Where to Find Me." Playing an acoustic brand of pop/rock, he has a like-ability about his music that is hard to resist, and Happy perfectly displayed that potential. Now, in 2005, West returns with the equally likeable History.

The album is a little more epic and eclectic than Happy was. It starts on an almost epic note on the title track, which deals with redemption. The Matthew West that fans have come to expect returns on the next track, "Next Thing You Know." It's quick, catchy, and personable. Fans will have fun singing the "la la la"s of this already-hit single.

But that's about all they will get in the way of light, fluffy pop. The rest of the album is piano driven, or more rock-oriented. Regardless of which, the songs are decisively heavier lyrically. And to be perfectly honest, most do not really stand out, with the exception of a few quite exceptional tracks. "The Day before You" is a sweet ballad to either God or West's wife, Emily. Whichever way you want to take it, it's a beautifully thought out track that displays what West is capable of.

So in the end, History is a mixed bag. A song may start to bore you, but then the next one gets you singing along. And back and forth until the album concludes. Some songs are forgettable, but others are brilliant. Matthew West has obviously matured since Happy, but he hasn't lost his sense of fun or adventure. There's still some growing to do, and West hasn't solidified his place in CCM history just yet; but a few years down the road, and with a couple of more albums under his belt, things could be very different.

- Review date: 09/06/05, written by Josh Taylor




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. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Sparrow Records / Universal South
. Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 39 seconds
. Street Date: June 21, 2005
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. History
  2. Next Thing You Know
  3. Only Grace
  4. Get Away
  5. The Day Before You
  6. I Know You're There
  7. Nothing Else
  8. The Last Ones
  9. The Light Of Eternity
  10. Out Of Time
  11. A Few More Days
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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


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