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

JFH Music Review




Sarah Kelly
Where The Past Meets Today



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 45 seconds
Street Date: August 15, 2006


In 2003, Christian music's sweetheart Sarah Kelly left a lasting impression on listeners everywhere with her unique vocals and memorable original worship songs. Her long awaited sophomore record has already been delayed a year but is finally seeing the light of day, bringing out a whole new side of Kelly. Worship is not the focus this time around as she draws more from the painful experiences in her life to bring forth a collection of songs about bridging the past with the present to start the process of emotional and spiritual healing.

Where The Past Meets Today showcases Kelly's classic rock roots more than on her previous record, and is likely to draw even more comparisons of her vocal traits to that of Janis Joplin. The album's clean yet raw production creates more of an intimate setting for her songs. While her debut, Take Me Away, used vocal layering to build more grandiose choruses, this more stripped down approach feels considerably more personal. This works to the benefit of the album's songwriting indeed as the songs are more straightforward and honest about the brokenness and pain Kelly has faced in life. As a whole, Where The Past Meets Today is a sorrowful look into the experiences of the brokenhearted. But through this process of self-examination and confession, there's still so much hope. "Hold On Love" is in many ways an anthem of the album, an answer to all the turmoil within its verses. "At About Midnight" is also a delicate piano-driven admittance to God that no matter what happens in life, no matter what changes are faced, He will always be sought after for solace and praise. "Out Of Reach" is another highlight, an emotional look at leaving yesterday where it belongs. Before the song concludes, Sarah cries out with hope for the future, "I see life, I see true life ahead, not behind."

Kelly pumps up the rock a couple notches for her second outing as well, but doesn't quite capture the energy the songs convey live. "Still Breathing," "Between The Lines," and "Believe Again" display a wonderfully raw, more edgy sound than we've heard from Sarah yet. But contrasted with the softer side displayed in some tracks, they pale in comparison. Kelly truly shines her brightest in more intimate moments like "Fall Into You" (which feels a lot like a slightly faster and more passionate version of Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me"), a longing for a love on earth like that with her Heavenly Father, and the heartbreaking goodbye to a friend in "Remember Me Well." The piano-driven "In Your Eyes" and the 'don't know what you have til it's gone' message of "What You Leave Behind" also more powerfully striking as slower songs.

While Kelly is already planning her third record to be a return to the worship she's become known for, Where The Past Meets Today is a bold album of finding beauty and healing through the valleys of life. As often positive as it is sad, Sarah Kelly shares some of her most personal experiences with listeners on this album to bring hope to those who may feel there is none. The honesty that is born out of facing our past trials and heartaches is just one of the steps we must take on the road to healing, and Sarah wants to take your hand and remind you that you're not alone in the journey.

- PReview date: 6/16/06; Review date: 8/12/06 written by John DiBiase



(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!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Gotee Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 45 seconds
. Street Date: August 15, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. The Beauty of It All
  2. Still Breathing
  3. Hold On Love
  4. About Midnight
  5. Between the Lines
  6. Out of Reach
  7. What You Leave Behind
  8. Fall Into You
  9. In Your Eyes
  10. Believe Again
  11. Remember Me Well
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

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