Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Jamie Grace, One Song At A Time
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Jamie Grace
One Song At A Time



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 35 minutes, 11 seconds
Street Date: September 20, 2011


Last January, Gotee Records president and producer-extraordinaire TobyMac unveiled to the public his newest signee: Jamie Grace. Producing her preview EP, Hold Me, for release two months later, he cited her diverse musical methods and a do-it-yourself enthusiasm (evidenced by videos on her YouTube channel) as his motivation for investing in and developing her talent. The real test of her musical prowess, however, has come in the form of her full-length debut album, One Song At A Time, and it sets a reasonable standard.

As her EP, Hold Me, already demonstrated, Jamie implements an "urban-acoustic" vibe that's hard to compare to anyone else. Undeniably an indicator of the presence of TobyMac's production, her musical fashion is immensely endearing. On one hand, One Song At A Time doesn't provide very many permutations of this style, leading to several tracks starting out the same way and not becoming completely unique in themselves. On the other hand, however, Jamie doesn't compromise her style to appeal to everyone; oftentimes pop albums will feature a song or two that greatly departs from the precedent, meant only for the radio crowd, but Jamie steers clear of this potential pitfall. And while staying true to her own musical personality, she changes it up just enough to create a complete record without duplicates or extraneousness. Most of the songs here are upbeat and positive in nature, but enough slower ballads are thrown in to balance things out ("Come To Me," "Holding On," "Not Alone").

Jamie appropriately matches her optimistic sound lyrically, and for the most part, it works reasonably well. They do lack in complexity enough to want something that digs a little deeper, and for her experience, they are ripe for a richer and more mature songwriting balance. One could easily point out the slightly corny lines here and there ("My left brain is racing free/and ADD's been chasing me all day/Wait, what did you just say?") and the very occasional cheesy pop culture reference ("And I won't stop until I know all my Facebook friends and foes look at me and only see one thing"), but honing in only on these individual lines misses the point of Jamie's admirable lighthearted approach. "Hold Me," "With You," and "You Lead" all rejoice in her relationship with Christ, while "Show Jesus" and "Not Alone" major on encouraging a friend in their Christian walk. Not without pure fun moments either, "1945" and the title track effectively show Jamie's easygoing side ("So just hand me my guitar and I'll play you a tune/me and all my friends, we can sing and dance the whole night through, over and over again/just give me six strings and I'll sing you the truth, note by note by line"). All in all, her musical and lyrical combination is a pleasing one, and one in which many listeners will have little problem engaging.

On its face, One Song At A Time is a promising start from a fledgling singer/songwriter. Though adequate enough for a full-length debut, her unique sound and lyrical approach beg to be developed further - advancements that more experience in the field will certainly provide. As of now, however, many listeners will indubitably connect with Jamie's captivating fun sound and lyrical honesty and transparency, and there's little doubt she'll go far with little improvements - one song at a time.

- Review date: 9/18/11, written by Roger Gelwicks of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Gotee Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 35 minutes, 11 seconds
. Street Date: September 20, 2011
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Ready To Fly (Prelude) (1:05)
  2. Hold Me (Featuring tobyMac) (3:33)
  3. With You (3:02)
  4. Show Jesus (3:38)
  5. Come To Me (3:30)
  6. God Girl (3:18)
  7. Holding On (3:23)
  8. You Lead (3:40)
  9. One Song At A Time (2:59)
  10. 1945 (3:44)
  11. Not Alone (3:19)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

Leave a Comment


 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



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]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images