Mark Schultz returns with his third project, appropriately titled, Stories and Songs. Schultz does little different this time around, the same teary-eyed songs of lost love and the like, but this album is brilliant artistically. Not saying at all that his previous work was not, but this is truly his peak performance.

The songs on Stories & Songs range from the utterly hilarious ("Running Just to Catch Myself") to the deeply moving ("Do You Even Know Me Anymore"). The touching "Letters from War" is performed in story form. It's the story of a boy captured in the war and the letters he writes to his mother.

But as aforementioned, this contemporary Christian album is a masterpiece musically. A top rate orchestra, wonderful piano playing by Schultz himself, and everything else come together to make this a wonder to behold.

Anyone looking for a smile, laugh, or a healthy tear would do well to look into Stories & Songs, as should those looking for a beautiful work of musical art. Really, this can be recommended to just about anyone. It has all the right ingredients to keep just about everyone happy. Maybe to those looking for something a bit edgier, this could be skipped. But, to everyone else, you have no excuse not to check out Stories & Songs, one of the best CCM albums of the year.

- Review date: 10/13/03, written by Josh Taylor