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

JFH Music Review




MercyMe
Coming Up To Breathe



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks
Street Date: April 25, 2006


MercyMe has a success story so many young bands can only dream about: gold and platinum certified records, astronomically huge radio hits (including the breakout "I Can Only Imagine" as well as "Word of God Speak"), jam-packed concerts, and a growing Dove Award collection all within only a few years. So what would most find as the next logical step? Follow the same formula to build upon an already impressive track record? Release a greatest hits record and call it a day? Neither of those seemed to fit just right. Instead, MercyMe made a change in direction, headed back to the studio to rediscover their "rock roots," and crafted together a project, for the most part, unlike anything we've heard from them so far.

Produced by music veteran Brown Bannister, Coming Up To Breathe just may be that breath of fresh air MercyMe seems to be longing for. While the Texas-based band has always displayed quality musicianship paired with the strong vocals of frontman Bart Millard, things appear to be a bit different this time around, still keeping those qualities intact. The title track is one indicator of this, showing Millard and Co.'s readiness to break free from any chains that have been holding them and explore new territory singing, "I'm in way too deep again/ I've forgotten how to swim/ I can't tell which way is up or down/ Save me before I drown down here/ I just need some help... I've held my breath for all my life/ And I am breaking free tonight/ And I'm coming up to breathe."

Lead single "So Long Self" is one the best tracks Coming Up To Breathe has to offer. With a lyrical hook sure to have radio listeners singing along, this song finds Millard bidding farewell to sinful nature and moving closer to Christ ("So long self/ It's been fun but I have found Somebody else/ So long self/ There's just no room for two so you are going to have to move... Farewell, oh well, goodbye, don't cry/ So long self"). Another impressive number, "Last One Standing," is one of Coming Up...'s edgier, standout tunes showing off a different side to the six-member outfit we've come to know. "No More, No Less" is rather unique considering it sounds something similar to the standard pop/rock fare favored by Christian radio, but takes a rather surprising turn by ending with a gospel-influenced choir singing underneath Millard's voice. Other noteworthy tracks include the southern rock inspired "One Trick Pony," the witty "3:42 A.M," and the worshipful "Bring The Rain." Of course, it wouldn't be a true MercyMe album without that show-stopping, "I Can Only Imagine"-type ballad. In this case, "I Would Die For You" fills the almost obligatory spot with enough emotion to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned hit.

Coming Up To Breathe is an undeniably strong project from MercyMe. Nevertheless, it does have its slight flaws. Occasionally the lyrics from the latest batch of songs seem to be predictable. That's not to say the whole album comes off with that "overused" feeling; in fact, some places display some of the best songwriting we have heard from the band so far. It's just those few disappointing spots that seem all the more unfortunate because we know what the band is capable of penning.

MercyMe's fresh new sound and approach gives Coming Up To Breathe the potential to collect several more number one singles and be one of 2006's best new releases. So where are they headed next? We can only imagine.

- Review date: 4/22/06, written by Lauren Summerford




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 


. Record Label: INO Records
. Album length: 13 tracks
. Street Date: April 25, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Coming Up to Breathe
  2. So Long Self
  3. Hold Fast
  4. Something About You
  5. You're to Blame
  6. No More No Less
  7. Where I Belong
  8. Bring the Rain
  9. Last One Standing
  10. One Trick Pony
  11. 3:42 AM
  12. Safe and Sound
  13. I Would Die For You
spacerspacerspacerspacerspacerspacerspacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



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