"There's only one bird that doesn't have its' own song. That's the mockingbird. I don't want to have my own song. I want to mimic the songs of Christ. I want to speak only where He speaks and be silent where He is silent." -DEREK WEBB

After releasing his first two solo albums, She Must and Shall Go Free and I See Things Upside Down, the former Caedmon's Call musician, Derek Webb, has progressed greatly in his songwriting abilities and produced one of his best albums yet, entitled Mockingbird. Musically, the album is full of Webb's signature mellow acoustic sound.

Mockingbird is very thought-provoking, making the listener consider deep life questions rather than push them aside. Derek Webb seems to confront all of existence with his strong lyrics about poverty, politics, and life altogether. Most of his lyrics address the way that people view the world in its current state. Some may consider Webb's views as insulting, others as truthful. His lyrics make you think, even if you don't agree with his outlook. In "A New Law," Webb proclaims, "I don't want to know / if the answers aren't easy / So just bring it down / from the mountain to me / I want a new law."

Everything that Webb sings about on Mockingbird are topics that He feels Christ laid on his heart. He doesn't want to have his own sound, but instead he wants Christ to speak through him. He wants people to know what Christ wants His people to know. The eleven track album is full of melodic acoustic songs that flow beautifully together. Derek Webb's acoustic folk/pop sound seems to blend with the lyrics perfectly and appropriately. Noteworthy songs on the album are "Mockingbird," "A New Law," "In God We Trust," and the piano-based closer "Love Is Not Against the Law."

Mockingbird is altogether a wonderful collection of songs that fans of Derek Webb and Caedmon's Call will enjoy. If you enjoyed any of the artist's previous works, you will definitely enjoy Mockingbird. Listen to the album with an open heart and your eyes will be opened to what God wants you to see.

- Review date: 12/23/05, written by Jessica Vander Loop of Jesusfreakhideout.com