Artist Info:Discography Album length: 16 tracks: 65 minutes, 56 seconds Street Date: January 28, 2003
There's a common phrase couples like to use in relationships when they have to be temporarily apart -- against
their own desires, of course -- that we have all heard before: "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." Well,
that might be true, but not after January 28th, 2003. Why? Because from now on, Steven Curtis Chapman's new
record All About Love makes the heart grow fonder.
Steven Curtis Chapman is no rookie in CCM. Steve holds the record for the most Dove Awards, as he probably
has enough now that if he melted them down and molded one giant award, it'd make the Statue of Liberty
look like a thimble. With several gold and platinum records, roughly 40 number one radio hits, and 4 Grammy
awards, Steven's approached his thirteenth project a little differently as he touches on one of the most
precious and painful subjects of all -- love.
Steven penned twelve of All About Love's whopping fifteen tracks (clocks in at over an hour of
musical Valentines from SCC) inspired by his birthday cards and letters written throughout his relationship
with his wife of eighteen years, Mary Beth. The end product is an amazingly encouraging album for young couples
and serves as a statement of love and devotion amidst a society where sin and immorality in relationships --
heartache and discord -- abound. But don't let the title and themes fool you, this isn't entirely a fluffy record
for his wife, Steven also makes sure to cover the greatest and most important and purist form of love -- God's love.
The album opens with the appropriate title track, slightly reminiscent of his previous album Declaration's
opener "Live Out Loud" stylistically. This upbeat number, destined for an addition to his successful tab
of number one singles, sums up the record's theme and messages and is the perfect opener for the project.
What follows is love -- SCC style -- with the highlight "How Do I Love Her," an honest and upbeat ballad
as Steven converses with God about his experiences and feelings about his wife. "Your Side of the World"
addresses the differences between man and woman and Steven's desire to get to know her better and her different
view of life. "11-6-64" is another highlight, a tender acoustic folk ballad written directly to his wife
expressing his adoration and how meaningful and essential her birthday is to his life.
"You've Got Me" has more of a "Next 5 Minutes" feel to it as Steven expresses how Mary Beth affects
his life on a daily basis and that he will always be there for her. "Holding A Myster" is another highlight
as Steven takes an almost anthemic approach to expressing the wonder he feels about his spouse. "Echoes
of Eden" has a tinge of 80's ballad flavor that enhances the love ballad feel while the piano trickles
through the delicate and moving gem "We Will Dance." Steven offers and SCC-powered rendition of The Proclaimers
original (and irritating) hit "I'm Gonna Be (5,000 Miles)." I had to laugh when I first heard Steven's
rendition, but he really does it justice. I only wish I never heard the original because Chapman's rendition
is infinitely better. "We Belong Together," "Every Little Kiss," and "Miracle of You" are classic Chapman
pop tunes while he tosses a curve ball and steps out of his normal zone for an excellent cover of the lounge-flavored
Ronnie Milsap original, "I'll Take Care of You." An excellent update of the wedding favorite, "I Will Be Here"
is a must for this project as it comes to a close with Steven's thankful offerings to his Heavenly Father in
"Moment Made for Worshipping."
All About Love luckily only comes away with a couple minor problems. While the album is consisted
entirely of love songs, making it the first of its kind for Christian music (and hopefully not the last),
that can be a problem itself. Steven's audience is limited to couples and hopeless romantics, while the brokenhearted
may find it painful to hear the pure and honest tributes to his wife. The other minor problem is there is little
stylistic change from 2001's Declaration and this year's All About Love. While his 1999 Grammy Award-winning
project Speechless was a leap from previous work and Declaration took that a step further,
All About Love only seldomly strayed from the recent norm for Steven. But while I may have liked
to have seen a little more change, I can understand fully why Steven did what he did here and the end product
is just fine and often downright beautiful.
With a wedding of my own just months away, I can have greater appreciation for Steven's expressions on
All About Love. It's about time a record like this was made, and I couldn't think of anyone better
for the job than Steven Curtis Chapman. Great job, Steven! Thanks for making this and setting an example
for Christian (and non) couples globally.
- Review date: 1/9/03, written by John DiBiase
Artist Info:Discography Record Label: Sparrow Records
Album length: 16 tracks, 65 minutes and 56 seconds
Street Date: January 28, 2003
Buy It:Amazon.com
Artist Info: 
