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

JFH Music Review




Natalie Grant
Deeper Life



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks
Street Date: February 11, 2003


Things haven't always been easy for Natalie Grant. After changing record companies twice, Grant has finally found a home with Curb Records. And now, with the release of Deeper Life, Grant is sure headed in the right direction with a solid third album.

Albums are always opening with something upbeat these days, and "Deeper Life" opens things off in the right direction. With plenty of signature Grant sounds, the song really reflects what this album is all about: seeking the deeper life in Jesus Christ. "Days Like These", a song that is almost too bubbly bright, comes next with an upbeat, but more organic, sound.

Things take a drastic turn when the Latin-flavored "Love Without Limits" pounds through the speakers, reminding us that God loves without any reserve. Adding in a little brass instrumentation, combined with drum loops and guitar, Natalie Grant uses her vocals to really bring home the message of the song. Another sudden turn comes with the soft pop feel of "Within Me". This tender ballad gets a little help from the London Session Orchestra, providing a great string background.

The radio hit, "I Will Be" is next on the track list, bringing us back to the upbeat pop reminiscent of "Keep On Shining", a radio hit from Grant's previous album, Stronger. With a completely organic sound, "I Will Be" is a major highlight on this record, and a major highlight in Grant's musical career.

As a surprise for Father's day, Natalie Grant recorded "Always Be Your Baby", a sweet song dedicated to her Dad. While the lyrics are touching, the song sounds too much like "Within Me". "That's When I'll Give Up (On Loving You)" follows, another upbeat song much like the opening to the album.

Completely penned by Grant, "Salvation" is almost out of place on this album. With a Gospel/R&B feel, the song is basically Natalie's testimony: "I gotta talk about it, sing about it/ I can't face the world without it/ Sweet salvation/ It's not magical, not mystical/ It's purely supernatural/ Sweet, sweet salvation."

With the writing talents of Cindy Morgan, "I Desire" is another highlight on this album. A big sound, soaring vocals, and marvelous instrumentation sets this song above the others on the album, and reaffirms Natalie Grant's life goal: to serve Christ. The edgier, rocky "Live For Today" is another track written by Grant with a message of living for the day, and following God's leading.

"I Am Not Alone" begins softly, but really opens up later on when Natalie Grant brings out some more of her smashing vocals accompanied by strings and gentle guitar. The final "bonus" track, "No Sign Of It" has to be one of the best on the entire album. The slightly upbeat "No Sign Of It" was featured in the upcoming Gwyneth Paltrow/Mike Myers film A View from the Top. Grant says the song really describes her career in music – the ups and downs and everything in between.

Natalie Grant sure has something going for her. With this newest album, containing some of her strongest work to date, she's really outdone herself. A solid record, a solid message, and a solid musical base, Deeper Life is sure to please fans of Grant's previous work, and it's also sure to bring in new listeners. Trouble has come to Natalie Grant in the past, but now, there's no sign of it, and her skies are definitely clear today.

- Review date: 7/16/03, written by Shaun Stevenson



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Curb Records
. Album length: 12 tracks
. Street Date: February 11, 2003
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Deeper Life
  2. Days Like These
  3. Love Without Limits
  4. Within Me
  5. I Will Be
  6. Always Be Your Baby
  7. That's When I'll Give Up (On Loving You)
  8. Salvation
  9. I Desire
  10. Live For Today
  11. I Am Not Alone
  12. No Sign Of It (bonus cut)

     

     

    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 22, 2025
SINGLES
Phil Wickham Fear Has No Power - Single [Fair Trade]

This Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan Resurrection Power - EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure (2025 Remaster) [Resuscitation]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Hulvey HE WILL RETURN - EP [Reach]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Latter Day Exploits Within Consumed (Expanded Edition) [Charon Collective]
VaShawn Mitchell SOUNDCHECK [Fair Trade]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
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]
The Band JAREN Poetic - Single [Hit and Run]
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]
EJ Swavv & Jericko Love Like This - Single [Syntax]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
goodwill. REST - Single [Syntax]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mat Kearney Good Old Days - Single (independent)
Kelo Car Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Vic Lucas I Need You (ft. IsaiahLaRoi) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie Macdonald You Can't Take My Song - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro No Place - Single [Syntax]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea Breakthrough - Single [DREAM]
Razzie & Glenn Ray Second Chances - Single [Syntax]
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]
tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Wayne Klassik HOLY HOLY HOLY - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)
Unseen Faith Cold Resolve - Single [Rottweiler Records]
Kim Zamolo Your Ways Are Higher - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]

Next Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]


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