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

JFH Music Review


MercyMe, The Generous Mr. Lovewell
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

MercyMe
The Generous Mr. Lovewell



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 43 minutes, 7 seconds
Street Date: May 4, 2010


Ever since the discovery of MercyMe and their song "I Can Only Imagine" all those years ago, the sextet have become a band at the forefront of CCM. MercyMe is the band that's accomplished what every band sometimes only dreams of: millions of records sold and instant radio recognition. And sixteen years since their start, MercyMe is still at it, releasing records and touring relentlessly. With that aside, the sextet's sixth record as a signed band, The Generous Mr. Lovewell, offers exactly what's expected of them, which may or may not be a good thing.

Majoring on the adult contemporary side of things, MercyMe has never really been a band to break too many boundaries musically. However, The Generous Mr. Lovewell does a good job of starting out in ear-catching fashion. "This Life" makes use of synths and a catchy guitar riff, while "Move" is an upbeat rocker complete with an infectious handclap beat. The title track, while a little trite, has probably the most applicable message of the album. Telling the story of a fictitious Mr. Lovewell, a man with a servant's heart who treats everyone with respect and hospitality, it's an example any believer wants to follow ("Hey Mr. Lovewell, doing today what you do every day, no matter how small believing that it's all the same/come on Mr. Lovewell oh we could use a few more just like you, who care enough to give this life away.") The bass-driven "Crazy Enough" is probably the most distinctive on the album, almost having a Derek Webb-esque tinge attached.

From here on out, The Generous Mr. Lovewell seems to go on "autopilot mode." It would be too far to suggest that MercyMe fails in their execution of the rest of the album, but the experimentation as a whole continues at a minimum. The first half of the record is unique enough, but the second half does fail to follow up on the sound. "All Of Creation" sounds precisely like the successful singles that have made MercyMe famous, and while it's not a bad song by any means, there's nothing new that's offered that hasn't been heard before from the band. "Beautiful" and "Free" lack anything to be held onto musically, and they do tend to drag on for too long and therefore bore the listener. "Only You Remain" and "Won't You Be My Love" follow the same suit, but as the epic tracks on the album they work well.

Six albums after "I Can Only Imagine," MercyMe is still on top of their game. The sextet is indeed a talented group of guys and they do avoid getting stuck in their own rut for the most part; however, The Generous Mr. Lovewell is undeniably a pretty forgettable record, and while there are a few gems to be found, it's only going to appeal to the already-existent fanbase MercyMe has garnered after all these years. MercyMe still has great things to say and their musical progression has been adequate enough, but it's hard to see their sixth record as anything extraordinary and more desirable than their previous material. Dedicated MercyMe followers and fans of CCM hit radio in general have more reason to rejoice with The Generous Mr. Lovewell, but anyone else wouldn't be too hard pressed to pass this one up.

- Review date: 5/1/10, written by Roger Gelwicks of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: INO Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 43 minutes, 7 seconds
. Street Date: May 4, 2010
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. This Life (3:34)
  2. The Generous Mr. Lovewell (4:11)
  3. Move (2:58)
  4. Crazy Enough (4:07)
  5. All Of Creation (3:56)
  6. Beautiful (4:22)
  7. Back To You (4:11)
  8. Only You Remain (4:51)
  9. Free (4:09)
  10. Won't You Be My Love (5:16)
  11. This So Called Love (1:36)
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)

 

 

                 
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]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

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]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - 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]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
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