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

JFH Music Review


Meredith Andrews, Worth It All
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Meredith Andrews
Worth It All



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 49 minutes, 34 seconds
Street Date: January 22, 2013


Worship leader and songwriter Meredith Andrews made an impression on audiences with her radio singles "You're Not Alone" and "Can Anybody Hear Me," personal songs displaying her big voice through intimate, heart-tugging lyrics. But for the Chicago worship leader, church music is the core of her work, the majority of her albums taking a vertical focus with her songwriter's touch. On her latest record, Worth It All, she brings focus to the leader role, perhaps even more than in her last two records, and delivers a set of songs designed for corporate worship.

From the start, the music here feels distinctly church friendly. While she certainly has the vocal power for big songs and high-reaching notes, this time Andrews opts for a gentler touch that is more like leading a congregation than performing for a crowd. The production is subdued, the melodies singable. Even the background vocals, lightly mixed in, come off as a congregation of voices responding to the choruses.

Whether the church-like feel is a plus or a drawback to the album is a tough call to make and mostly depends on what the listener is looking for. The overall effect, like many worship albums, is a production style that plays it safe. While the sound is even and relaxing, some variations come along, like "Burn Away" in the album's middle, one with a swelling chorus and passion to back it, or the subdued meditation "The Gospel Changes Everything," reflecting on how Jesus changed both history and individual hearts. Only the closing track "Pieces" veers away from the worship style into something more poppy and upbeat, giving the sense of a bonus track more than part of the record.

However, those looking for some new worship music could find it easy to get swept up into these songs. For one thing, even on the mellowest tracks, the choruses are singable and catchy. One listen to "Open Up the Heavens" or "Strong God" is enough to lodge the chorus in the listener's mind. The lyrics themselves, while simple to learn, are well thought-out and Christ-centric, honoring God's steadfastness ("Not for a Moment"), strength ("Strong God"), and transformative power ("Burn Away," "The Gospel Changes Everything").

It's hard to say if the songs on Worth It All are the stuff of classics, but as far as this sort of album goes, Andrews seems to have found her best, most comfortable place in gently reverent church music that focuses the listener on Christ. Her sincerity, singable tunes, and relaxed style offer some new options for the Sunday morning setlist, or perhaps a soundtrack for quiet time in the car. It may not be the most creative new worship album, but Worth It All sounds like a musician at home, in her element, leading others into God's presence.

- Review date: 1/22/13, 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: Word Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 49 minutes, 34 seconds
. Street Date: January 22, 2013
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Open Up The Heavens (3:54)
  2. Not For A Moment (4:01)
  3. Strong God (5:44)
  4. Start With Me (3:58)
  5. Worth It All (4:57)
  6. All I Ask (4:19)
  7. Burn Away (5:36)
  8. Your Kingdom Reigns (4:35)
  9. Wonder Of Wonders (4:31)
  10. The Gospel Changes Everything (4:49)
  11. Pieces (3:16)

 

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