Get Your Music on Amazon!
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, August 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Various Artists Songs We've Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven't), Vol. 14 [JFH Music]

This Friday, August 15, 2025
ALBUMS
Mark Bishop Grandkids - EP [Sonlite]
The CCC Collective Brooklyn Culture (independent)
Equippers Worship Awe [DREAM Worship]
The Final Witness Beneath The Altar [Rottweiler]
Grammatrain Flying Collector's Edition CD [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition CD [Girder]
Katy Nichole Honest Conversations [Centricity]
Relentless Pursuit Apocalypsis (independent)
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Johan Åsgärde Coming Home - Single [Gotee]
Dave Barnes Everything But Mine - Single (independent)
Jeff Deyo There is a Fire - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm All God - Single [Curb]
Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, & Elevation Worship So So Good (Live) - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
Grammatrain Flying Vinyl [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition Vinyl [Girder]
Newsboys Going Public Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 22, 2025
ALBUMS
Lecrae Reconstruction [Reach]
Lizzie Morgan Not My Will [Provident]
Josiah Queen MT. ZION [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Dust and Grace Hallelujah - Single [MTS]
Good Weather Forecast Today (feat. Elijah Thomas) - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Invitation - Single [DREAM Worship]
V1 Worship Been So Faithful - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images