Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review



John Waller
The Blessing



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 45 minutes, 58 seconds
Street Date: March 6, 2007


Beach Street Records' roster may be small, but apparently there's always room for one more. John Waller- a worship leader from Colorado and former frontman of the band According To John- brings his collection of inspirational songs to the masses, with the March 6th release of The Blessing.

The title track is already making the radio rounds, bolstered by guest vocals from Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall. "The Blessing" lyrically invites the listener to make that daily choice to positively affect the people around them, "This day / You set life, You set death right before us / This day / Every blessing and curse is a choice now / And we will choose to be a blessing for life."

Waller admits to gaining much of the inspiration for his songs from reading. "Something Big" is based off a popular quote by John Haggai- "Attempt something so impossible that unless God is in it, it's doomed to failure." He also received a challenge from Beach Street's owner, Mark Miller, to write a song about the prodigal son without using the term 'prodigal' in it- the result being the beautiful "Still Calls Me Son."

With the exception of the opener "Calling For a Flood"- which gives itself over to a chorus worthy of any Passion event- most of the tracks are self-contained sermons, delivering a thought on God and then exploring it. Fans of Casting Crowns, and similar artists will find a lot to like in John Waller's music. There's a pervasive spiritual longing in these songs- begging God for change, for something greater than the norms of Christian life- a change and experience that can only come with Divine involvement. A majority of themes are centered on the individual- our identity in Christ, times of waiting, our desire to do great things, needing forgiveness, our desire for His Holy Spirit…

The album is radio-friendly CCM at heart. Musically- it's rather conformist and non-explorative, sticking to established paradigms. Sonically quite similar to a hundred other modern Christian artists you've heard- however, these are the songs of Waller's heart, and it shows. Worth a listen.

- Review date: 2/20/07, written by David Goodman



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Beach Street Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 45 minutes, 58 seconds
. Street Date: March 6, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Calling For A Flood
  2. Identity
  3. The Blessing (w/ Mark Hall)
  4. Still Calls Me Son
  5. Ancient Words
  6. Breathe On Me
  7. Love To Say Your Name
  8. While I'm Waiting
  9. Something Big
  10. Sacred Pages (w/ Mark Miller)
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

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Wednesday, December 4, 2024
VINYL
Russ Taff A Christmas Song Vinyl [Girder]

This Friday, December 6, 2024
ALBUMS
Blessing Offor Covers - EP [Capitol CMG]
Various Artists DREAM Christmas Vol. 8 [DREAM]
Within Silence The Eclipse of Worlds [Ulterium]

SINGLES
Adriel Cruz Falling For You - Single [Syntax]
Jon Foreman Stay Wild Wildflower (feat. Kyndal Inskeep) - Single (independent)
No Vain Glory Praise (ft. Mapalo the Girl) - Single [Syntax]
Sidewalk Prophets I Apologize - Single [Curb]

VINYL
Flyleaf Flyleaf Vinyl [Smartpunk]

Next Tuesday, December 9, 2024
ALBUMS
Relentless Pursuit Ascension (independent)

Next Friday, December 13, 2024
ALBUMS
Shaun P Live at the Jesus Dome [DREAM]

SINGLES
Leslie Jordan Golden Thread (for Jess) - Single (independent)
Stars Go Dim Mama Don't Lie (Alright) - Single [Curb]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new album from Within Silence!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images