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

JFH Music Review


Cheri Keaggy, No Longer My Own
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Cheri Keaggy
No Longer My Own



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop / Adult Contemporary
Album length: 11 tracks: 43 minutes, 55 seconds
Street Date: August 7, 2015


READER RATING:   


If Cheri Keaggy's preceding album, 2012's So I Can Tell, nudged the California native toward the periphery of the musical ground inhabited by the ranks of Aimee Mann, Cindy Morgan and Amy Grant, her latest release, No Longer My Own, continues that trend; solidifying her spot within their ranks. Like those artists, Keaggy began her career singing catchy, radio-friendly pop songs before eventually branching out to create more unique and substantial works.

In the broadest sense, Keaggy's latest effort could probably best be described as her piano album. Although there are certainly a handful of cuts on the project that don't fit that category, and much of the piano-based material does feature other instruments, its most striking entries are nevertheless based around a foundation of Keaggy's sturdy vocals and prominent keyboard accompaniment.

"No Longer My Own" is easily as beautiful and awe-inspiring as any radio ballad in recent memory. "You Go Before," a first cousin to both the Eagle's "Desperado" and Elton John's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," proves that a truly grand piece doesn't have to be overly complicated. And the standout "Jesus, One and Only" travels in a straight line from "If These Walls Could Speak" from Amy Grant's absolutely transcendent 1987 Lead Me On record.

The non-piano-driven tracks tend to fare less spectacularly. The pop ditty, "Lucky to Be Breathing Your Air," although hardly a complete misstep, nevertheless comes across as slightly lightweight. "Be My Sabbath" is hampered by its meandering, largely run-of-the-mill rhythm and slightly clumsy lyrics. The mandolin-driven folk piece, "Whatever Is True," comes across as a bit paint by numbers. And even a handful of the piano ballads, including "I Love Your Company" and "Lead Me to Your Love," tend to be either precious or cloying.

Its weaker material notwithstanding, the album is blessed with a loose, jam-session sort of quality about it. While this sort of approach can often wind up submerging the best of releases, the more savvy members of the listening audience will find that No Longer My Own's unfussy, take-me-as-I-am aesthetic isn't so much a liability as it is a testament to its creator's confidence in the work they're committing to tape. Indeed, this is an album that, even in spite of its shortcomings, demands to be taken on its own terms, which, perhaps more than any other characteristic, renders it such a winning, albeit somewhat flawed, proposition.

- Review date: 1/16/18, written by Bert Gangl of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 11 tracks: 43 minutes, 55 seconds
. Street Date: August 7, 2015
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)

  1. Overcome (5:08)
  2. You Save Me (5:04)
  3. You Go Before (3:53)
  4. No Longer My Own (3:03)
  5. Lucky to Be Breathing Your Air (3:49)
  6. Lead Me to Your Love (4:13)
  7. Be My Sabbath (4:07)
  8. Jesus, One and Only (3:01)
  9. I Love Your Company (4:04)
  10. Whatever Is True (Phil. 4:8) (2:58)
  11. The Giving Song (4:30)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

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 Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images