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

JFH Music Review




Bebo Norman
Try



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 44 minutes, 24 seconds
Street Date: August 24, 2004


Bebo Norman's fifth studio album Try releases two years after his last acclaimed effort Myself When I Am Real. Norman's sound has evolved nicely from his signature stripped-down folk pop to catchy pop/rock, never once losing the transparent, open, and honest approach Norman has become known for. Norman has always stood out from the rest with his textured folk backdrops accompanying his deep, intimate vocals and genuine lyrical poetry.

Lyrically, Norman has become popular for his openness to write about the loneliness he struggles with and fear of forever remaining alone. His ability to wear his heart on his sleeve makes his music inviting. But while Bebo has solidified himself as bachelor's-best-friend, a recent marriage and renewed outlook on life has turned his newest release Try into a whole new affair.

The themes on Try range from straight-up heartfelt worship to expressions of love and happiness, a far cry from the fragility expressed on Myself When I Am Real. So is this new side of Bebo a bad thing? Of course not, but his music does lose that beautiful edge that made some of his best songs that much better. The title track, however, shows Norman addressing his bittersweet feelings about getting older and growing up. The sound is more pop while being more folk this time around but all the while never losing the sensitivity that makes Bebo Norman such a joy to listen to.

In the past, Bebo's songs like "Great Light Of The World" have proven he's a fine worship songwriter. "Nothing Without You," featured in two different recordings on Try, and "Disappear" are humbling worship songs, offering a fresh and more intricate approach to the praise and worship genre than most other songs available. "The Other Side Of Day" is another album highlight, a song about looking to our future in Heaven, while "Standing In Your Silence" expresses Norman's thoughts on falling in love. "Drifting" is a real emotional gem in the same vein as "So Afraid" and "Break Me Through" as Norman writes once again about his experiences with loneliness, however this time meditating further on the love and peace that comes when God lifts us out of it. "Yes I Will" is a simple acoustic love song to Jesus written following a screening of The Passion Of The Christ that reaffirms Bebo's heart to follow Him.

Try succeeds on many levels as Bebo Norman continues to write relevant and meaningful songs for listeners to associate with and worship along to. While maybe not as powerful in some respects as Myself..., Try marks a new chapter in the life of an incredible artist and musician, and like in any good book, continues to carry the listener along Bebo Norman's life story quite nicely.

- Review date: 8/22/04, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Essential Records
. Album length: 12 tracks, 44 minutes and 24 seconds
. Street Date: August 24, 2004
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Finding You
  2. Nothing Without You
  3. Disappear
  4. Try
  5. Standing In Your Silence
  6. Other Side Of Day
  7. Soldier
  8. Drifting
  9. How You Love Me
  10. Yes I Will
  11. Borrow Mine
  12. Nothing Without You (Alternate Version)
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]

SINGLES
Tikae Maestro Dwell (ft. Kingdmusic) - Single [Tribe Rua]

This Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
1K Phew What's Understood 3 [Reach]
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
Vic Lucas The Journey [Syntax]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
SEU Worship What A God [Live at JOGS] (feat. Abbie Gamboa) - EP [Provident]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Alphein Working - Single [Syntax]
Chris Caro It's Okay - Single [Syntax]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Still - Single [Syntax]
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
Dust and Grace He Made It All - Single [MTS]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Jericko Skeletons - Single [Syntax]
Kingdmusic Speed Dial (ft Mégan Rose) - Single (independent)
The Light Superior Ghost - Single [Rottweiler]
Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
My Place Was Taken Rude Awakening - Single [Rottweiler]
No Vain Glory ROYALTY (CHOSEN) - Single [Syntax]
Polished Arrow Music LOTW - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Poor Old Lu The Hurting - Single (independent)
Razzie & Joz NEW PETRO (ft. 4KL) - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile Pain is My Best Friend (At My Best) [ft. THE EXILED] - Single [Syntax]
Jordy Sam Hard Days (ft. IAN) - Single [Syntax]
Silent Reflection The Air - Single [Syntax]
Still Remains The Wound and the Weapon - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]

This Saturday, November 1, 2025
SINGLES
Relentless Pursuit He Is Coming - Single (independent)

Next Friday, November 7, 2025
ALBUMS
Biscuits Country Fried LoFi - EP [Circle Back]
Jekalyn Carr JEKALYN X LEGENDS [WayNorth]
DAMIAN DAMIAN [DREAM]
Josh Garrels Peace To All Who Enter Here, Vol. 2 (independent)
Amy Jay Mnemonics (independent)
(UN)WORTHY From the Belly of the Beast - EP (independent)

SINGLES
Damian If I Should Fail - Single [DREAM]
Hillside Recording Everlasting Father - Single (independent)
Ian Austin, Heather Suzanne Somewhere Far - Single (independent)
Life.Church Worship Tanto - Single (independent)
Sacrificial Betrayal Take Risk - Single (independent)
Zane Walls YOU ARE THE FIRE (feat. JontheKid) - Single (independent)


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