Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Cameron Moore, Alpenglow
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Cameron Moore
Alpenglow



Genre(s): Indie Pop
Album length: 10 tracks: 44 minutes, 12 seconds
Street Date: January 26, 2018


READER RATING:   


With the dawn of the New Year comes Alpenglow, the first full length album from North Carolina native Cameron Moore. In case you're wondering, the title is in reference to an optical effect where a rosy light appears in the sky (usually seen on mountain peaks) at dawn and dusk when the sun is just below the horizon. Moore's 10-track record is a journey through the night beginning at sunset with "Alpenglow (Part 1)" and ending with the sun's return in "Alpenglow (Part 2)".

The album begins suddenly and dramatically, underscored by chords pounded out on the piano while Moore sings, "In hindsight I could've walked away/But I closed my eyes/Closed them all the way." It's the beginning of a dark night of the soul for Moore as he wrestles with his faith and the way he expresses it is helpful. Most tend to view the walk of Christianity as either moving forward or backward. But Moore stands still and closes his eyes, neither progressing nor regressing. It's a gray area that he stands in through the night on this record. Two metaphors that Moore leans on through the course of his journey are roads and rain. The road is an obvious picture of how we live life, but the rain seems to reference the cleansing grace of God making all things new. The sound he crafts is an atmospheric pop/rock that bolsters the mood of the songs.

Through "P.S. Love Awaits," "Hold On" and "Storm the Bastille (20 Years a Slave)" Moore wrestles with the night, taking turns addressing the listener in "P.S. Love Awaits" and giving his perspective in "Storm the Bastille." Though much is made in these songs of the futility of life and the weariness of wandering along the road, a light of hope and the presence of rain always hang in the background. Moore approaches these topics in a poetic way that is at once approachable on a surface level but leaves enough a few feet down for repeat listens.

With "12, Rain," Moore begins a turn toward the dawn. Though feeling bogged down by current events, he looks forward to Christ's return, singing, "But I know there will come a day/When the skies break/And rain." This sentiment is beautifully hammered home in the bridge as he declares, "Some time out/Post the pain-filled drought/We'll turn around/And watch it fall." Life begins to warm in his bones again on "Wayfare" while he revels in God's pursuit of him in "You Found Me" and "Still We Run." "You Found Me" contains one of the few hiccups as Moore rests on an overused cliché in the first verse, though the rest of the song is not hampered by this. "One-Nine" finds him drawing strength and encouragement from Joshua 1:9 and challenging himself, "As you look ahead/Do you reminisce/Of a different time/Or God's faithfulness?" These songs are layered also and feature Moore testing his vocal range to good effect.

As the rosy sun dawns, Moore emerges from his darkness to say "Hello sunrise/As I open my eyes." He did not walk away, but instead found faith to carry on. His overarching journey on Alpenglow may not be ground-breaking, but I found it very enjoyable. The way he wrestles with darkness feels fresh, weaving poetry with heartfelt emotion that never strays too deep into depression. He closes his eyes and struggles, but opens them again with renewed hope. I could write on and dive deeper into this near-perfect album, but I'll leave that exploration to the curious listener who will allow Moore to take them down this road and walk in the rain. You may not have been anticipating this release, but it is one you should pay attention to and look for more from this artist in the future.

- Review date: 1/24/18, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: DREAM Records / Red Label
. Album length: 10 tracks: 44 minutes, 12 seconds
. Street Date: January 26, 2018
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Alpenglow, Pt. I (2:10)
  2. P.S. Love Awaits (4:41)
  3. Hold On (4:09)
  4. Storm the Bastille (20 Years a Slave) (5:16)
  5. 12, Rain (4:12)
  6. Wayfare (4:27)
  7. You Found Me (5:40)
  8. Still We Run (4:32)
  9. One-Nine (5:44)
  10. Alpenglow, Pt. II (3:20)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images