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

JFH Music Review


Jason Gray, Order EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Jason Gray
Order EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop
Album length: 5 tracks: 17 minutes, 29 seconds
Street Date: August 16, 2019


READER RATING:   


To put it mildly, Jason Gray's sophomore major-label album, 2009's Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue, was a critical and commercial breakthrough. And rightly so, given the fact that the record showed the talented Minnesotan to be not only an absolute master of the folk and pop musical idioms, but also a songwriter capable of crafting lyrics which were alternately thought-provoking, heartrending and, in some cases, simply hilarious. Those who heard the second effort had no trouble believing the critics who labeled Gray as Christian music's best-kept secret and, even more notably, heir-apparent to none other than Steven Curtis Chapman.

Almost as soon as Untrue hit the airwaves and digital shelves, though, Gray began to reign in his outside-the-box tendencies and fashion offerings that more closely reflected the majority of that which tended, and still tends, to dominate the Inspirational Top 20 charts. While the three full-length projects released between 2011 and 2016 certainly found no shortage of radio-based success, more than a few fans lamented the perhaps inevitable waning of that which made Untrue so delightfully quirky and unique.

Gray's new EP, Order (the first in a planned trio), does show the occasional signs of the musical and thematic singularity that first brought its creator to prominence. The engrossing semi-ambient textures of the reworked "Becoming," which first saw the light of day on last year's The Kipper Gray Sessions extended player, are a perfect case in point. In the same way, "Order Disorder Reorder" ("I begged you again and again to send a miracle/ But the storm was the way you broke my heart open wide/ To get to what was hidden inside") shows at least a glimmer of the poignant self-awareness that rendered Untrue so absolutely engaging.

By and large, though, the better portion of the most recent release is given over to run of the mill radio-ready musical fare that does little to separate Gray from an ever-growing legion of like-sounding contemporaries. And the similarly ordinary phrasing and sentiments found on cuts like "Maker of Mornings" ("I opened a gift this morning/ When I opened up my eyes/ Oh it's good just to be alive") and "I'm Gonna Let It Go" ("You gonna lift me up/ When I pour it all out You gonna fill my cup") only serve to cement the EP's less than truly distinctive character.

In fairness, only the out and out unremarkable "Wonder" constitutes a bona fide miscue. And Gray's characteristic buoyant melodies and feel-good lyrics remain both uplifting and enjoyable. Nevertheless, while Untrue may acquit itself nicely enough when considered as a self-contained entity, its star shines considerably less brightly when viewed within the long and imposing shadow cast by Gray's far more impressive earliest works.

- Review date: 8/23/19, written by Bert Gangl of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Centricity Music
. Album length: 5 tracks: 17 minutes, 29 seconds
. Street Date: August 16, 2019
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Becoming (3:47)
  2. Maker Of Mornings (I Am Loved) (3:44)
  3. The Wonder (3:12)
  4. I'm Gonna Let It Go (3:09)
  5. Order Disorder Reorder (3:36)

 

 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