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

JFH Music Review


Mandisa, Freedom
Mandisa
Freedom



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 7 seconds
Street Date: March 24, 2009


Mandisa has come a long way since her arrival into the spotlight as a 2006 American Idol finalist. Her Grammy-nominated 2007 release True Beauty made Christian music history as the first female artist to debut at #1 on the Top Christian Albums chart, and in just a few years, she has collaborated with some of CCM's biggest stars, from TobyMac to Michael W. Smith. Two years later, her follow-up Freedom is ready to deliver the next chapter in this gifted artist's career.

"My Deliverer" opens with a fun burst of energy and joy, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Her voice is bright and powerful, and when she sings "My Deliverer has set me free from all that's held me captive," there's no doubt that she believes it. This song nicely establishes the heart of the project's message. The theme of Freedom fills every song: Freedom from worldly beauty, from worries about life, and, ultimately, from death and suffering forever in Heaven. Keeping this lyrical thread through a diverse playlist is certainly one of the album's greatest strengths.

True, Freedom tends to revisit musical styles and lyrical themes common to Christian pop, but what sets it apart is Mandisa's amazing voice, the real star of this project. Her range is incredible, and she breathes life into every song she sings. On "How Much," she whispers and soothes as a dear friend offering encouragement ("These words go out to anyone / Who's ever felt so unlovable… That lie is so not true"). The sweet lyrics and gentle rhythm are a nice contrast to the funky, R&B flavored "Definition of Me," where she confronts the world's standards of beauty with humor and confidence ("Pretty is cool for a minute / But it always fades away / Trends are hot for a second / They'll be gone the very next day"). It sounds like nothing else on the album with a Beyonce style and guest rap section, but somehow it fits her perfectly. "Leave it in the Valley" is a cute, bouncy piano pop number with a charming whistle section (I have to smile every time I hear the line, "Tell your trouble 'bye-bye'!"). But one of my personal favorites is "He is with You," a song that speaks hope to some of life's most painful circumstances ("He is with you when your faith is dead / And you can't even get out of bed… there is love to see you through all of this"). Musically, it reminds me of some of Matthew West's best work; lyrically, it successfully walks the fine line between sadness and trust, and holds emotional power without the sentimentalism that songs like this can easily fall into. There's something in this song that just about anyone can relate to, and it will certainly become a signature of Mandisa's career.

Still, there are a few tracks that seem a bit awkward or out of place. "Not Guilty" and "Broken Hallelujah," while very pretty in sound, felt a little too much like 90's Avalon ballads. Of course the lyrical messages were great, but the music didn't pull me in the way "He is with You" or some of the more upbeat songs did. And though "Definition of Me" worked and brought some variety into the mix, "Freedom Song" was way too gospel in style, seeming mismatched with the overall album. Maybe this would be better on a gospel side project, something she could certainly pull off. Still, these are minor complaints that are easily forgotten when you hear Mandisa at her best. The final song "You Wouldn't Cry (Andrew's Song)" closes the album with just that. It's sweeping, passionate, and even epic in its portrayal of the glories of Heaven ("Blue has never been bluer / True has never been truer… if you could just see this place, / You wouldn't cry for me today"), and serves as a soul-stirring closer that grows more full and beautiful with every listen.

Overall, this is a solid pop album with some stellar moments, a diverse mix of heartfelt ballads and fun, summery grooves. Mandisa has proven herself to be more than just another "former American Idol contender"; she is a talented lady with a promising future of great music ahead.

- Review date: 3/18/09, written by Jen Rose of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(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: Sparrow Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 7 seconds
. Street Date: March 24, 2009
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. My Deliverer (3:16)
  2. How Much (4:02)
  3. He Is With You (4:04)
  4. Definition Of Me (3:30)
  5. Not Guilty (4:35)
  6. Leave It In The Valley (3:42)
  7. Victorious (3:27)
  8. Broken Hallelujah (5:06)
  9. Freedom Song (3:38)
  10. Dance Dance Dance (3:11)
  11. You Wouldn't Cry (Andrew's Song) (5:41)
spacer     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