Amy Grant, Vince Gill - Rock of Ages: Hymns & Faith
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Free Music Notes for Rock of Ages: Hymns & Faith
Free Music Review: Amy Grant Rock of Ages
Hit: 3 Stars
It's okay; just not as good as previous one. Wish there were more with Vince Gill.Free Music Review: Odd FollowUp to Her Great Legacy Album
Hit: 2 Stars
A longtime fan of Amy Grant, I eagerly awaited this album. I even bought an extra copy of this for my husband's grandmother, but I'll be returning it for "Legacy" instead. Anyone who didn't like "Legacy" will probably like this one as it has a slightly more contemporary sound than its predecessor. Anyone who loved "Legacy" will not enjoy this one as much.
This latest offering from Amy Grant is not what I expected as her second Hymns and Faith album. Part of what made "Legacy" so great and unique was the simplicity of production, the outstanding song choices, and the genuine sincerity of Amy's voice given the rocky part of life she had just come through. That doesn't come through on this new album. "Rock of Ages", produced over a longer period of time than "Legacy", sounds just that -- over-produced. It lacks the inspiration that made "Legacy" stand out, and the songs are less recognizable, by me anyway. Moreover, it can't decide what kind of album it is. Is it bluegrass (like "Legacy"), pop/rock ("Helping Hand" medley and "I Surrender All"), or soul/gospel ("O Love That Will Not Let Me Go")? The pop-style hymns would have been greatly welcome on a different album but they don't fit on this one.
There are a few jewels on the album that would be really stand-out as lone hymns on a regular contemporary Christian album ("Abide with Me", "O Master Let Me Walk With Thee", "Joyful, Joyful"). "El Shaddai" and "Carry You" are NOT those, though. Her 1997 version of "El Shaddai" was far-superior as was 1998's "Carry You" from the "Wow" CCM series. Amy seems to channel her inner Loretta Lynn on "Rock of Ages". I like Loretta Lynn, but it sounds odd with Amy.
Overall, the album is inconsistent and just does not rise to the challenge that "Legacy" threw down. I can understand they wouldn't want to rehash what was already done, but it could have been done better.
Free Music Review: Pulling It Out Again Reminds Me Why I Don't Listen to it Much
Hit: 2 Stars
I first bought this CD back in 2005 when it came out. I gave it a few listens and then stuck it away. I decided to pull it out again and give it another listen. Now I remember why I had listened to it in four years.
Yes, part of the problem is me. I'm not a big hymns CD person. I'm not sure exactly why since I love hymns and have several CDs of them that I enjoy listening to when the mood strikes. This CD focuses in on some of the lesser known hymns. Yes, we've got "Rock of Ages" and "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." But we also have "Sweet Will of God" and "Abide with Me." They just don't appeal to me as much as the songs I already know.
But then there's the style. I'm not a Country of Bluegrass fan, so you can imagine the problem when I put in the disc and immediately notice the twang of opening track "Anywhere with Jesus." It's even worse on "Rock of Ages" and "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." Amy obviously let husband Vince Gill have free reign with the production, and that was a poor choice on her part.
Having said that, there are a couple tracks I do like. The slightly updated version of "El Shaddai" is beautiful, although it does through me off when she changes the wording slightly.
The best song here is the only original track, "Carry You." It's also one of the lesser Country selections. This Amy Grant original is a song of encouragement straight from God to those who are struggling. It was worth pulling the disc out again to rediscover.
Aside from that one song, however, there truly isn't much of interest here. Unless you absolutely must own every Amy Grant CD, feel free to skip this one.
Free Music Review: Not Good Enough
Hit: 2 Stars
Amy lost much of her Xtian fan base when she defected from Gary Chapman to Vince Gill. This album is not going to help her regain what she lost, because it sounds too much like Mr.Gill. Granted, he is a pretty good instrumentalist and a tolerable singer, but not a good producer; not even the great Brown Bannister could rescue this album from the Gill influence. Coupled with the dismal sales of her previous 2 albums, this one does not bode well for Amy's musical future.Free Music Review: I really do miss the old Amy
Hit: 2 Stars
I did buy this CD hoping it would be similar to Legacy. . .where there were a few country-fied songs.
However, this CD is full of them - right from the get go. I am not a real strong fan of country music. I was a fan of the music Amy did several years ago.
So, I figure after a week of listening to this CD, I might get used to it. But why should I have to get used to it?