Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Bethany Dillon, Beautiful: The Hits Collection
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Bethany Dillon
Beautiful: The Hits Collection



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 14 tracks: 52 minutes, 50 seconds
Street Date: August 9, 2011


For over seven years, Bethany Dillon has been one of the defining women in Christian music. With five albums and a handful of hits to her name, Bethany is known for her earthy, acoustic sound that is perfect for sunny days. Beautiful: The Hits Collection is the first greatest hits album released for Bethany and it's an interesting mix of music. The album starts out with the title track from her debut album self-titled album. "Beautiful" is a lovely song about honoring and blessing God. One of her biggest hits, it fits nicely here and works well as the title of the collection. "All I Need" comes next. Arguably her biggest hit of all time, this bouncy little ditty is a worshipful song about God's love.

"Lead Me On" is a fantastic rendition of Amy Grant's number-one hit. Bethany's vocals fit the song well and the production has an updated, rock feel to it. "For My Love" is a beautiful song about Bethany's once future husband (she has since married Shane Barnard of the duo Shane & Shane). It's a nice track, although I feel "Great Big Mystery" or "Exodus," also from her debut, would have worked just as well.

After the four tracks from her debut, the album launches right into her sophomore album, Imagination. Imagination was, in my opinion, a very dry album with only a few interesting tracks. "Dreamer" is one of the better tracks from the album; used in the film Dreamer starring Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell, the song is very reminiscent of "All I Need." "Hallelujah" is a worshipful hit from Imagination that sounds strangely similar to Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." "All That I Can Do," the biggest hit and my favorite track from Imagination, is an exciting pop/rock track that resembles Rebecca St. James or Joy Williams. The final representation of Imagination is the track "I Believe In You." This is one of the most boring tracks from the album and feels rather generic. "New" or "Vagabond" would have been a much better choice, but like I said, the pickings from Imagination are thin.

Two of the "rare" tracks follow. This marketing campaign of four "rare" tracks is a little misleading considering you can get all four songs off of iTunes individually. However, "Holy is the Lord" and "Hero" are both fantastic tracks that are definitely worthy enough to be included. Dillon's third album, Waking Up was her absolute best in my opinion and it's sad to see that only two tracks are lifted from it. "Let Your Light Shine" is a stunning piano-led ballad and "When You Love Someone" is a jingly pop/country tune. But where is lead single "The Kingdom?" It's nowhere to be found, which is quite a shame.

Even more distasteful is the shunning of Bethany's fourth album, Stop & Listen. Another solid release, only lead single "Everyone to Know" is included (which is fantastic). Where is "Stop & Listen" or "Get Up and Walk?" These two very strong songs would have made great inclusions. The final track of the album is a cover of "How Great Is Our God", which is a nice addition and a soft closing to the album.

Overall, Beautiful: The Hits Collection could have been much worse, but it is still not a perfect release. Bethany could have easily squeezed three or more songs on the album, preferably from her last two albums and maybe "We Can Work It Out" from 2008's So Far: The Acoustic Sessions, which has no inclusions. This is a probably an album worthy of skipping unless you are just discovering Bethany or are a diehard fan needing to complete your collection.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 8/13/11, written by J.C. for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Sparrow Records
. Album length: 14 tracks: 52 minutes, 50 seconds
. Street Date: August 9, 2011
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Beautiful (4:00)
  2. All I Need (3:14)
  3. Lead Me On (3:33)
  4. For My Love (3:12)
  5. Dreamer (3:44)
  6. Hallelujah (4:04)
  7. All That I Can Do (CHR Mix) (3:38)
  8. I Believe In You (4:07)
  9. Holy Is The Lord (4:49)
  10. Hero (3:58)
  11. Let Your Light Shine (Radio Version) (4:01)
  12. When You Love Someone (3:28)
  13. Everyone To Know (3:04)
  14. How Great Is Our God (3:58)

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

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, April 15, 2025
BOOKS
Sandra McCracken and Tim Nicholson Maker of the Mountain [B&H]

This Friday, April 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Darst In The Mighty Name (Live) [Fair Trade]
Richard Lynch Pray on the Radio: Songs of Inspiration [MTS]
Ronnie Martin Consume Like A Moth What Is Dear [Velvet Blue]
Myles Maestro Band-Aids on Broken Glass - EP [Syntax]
Sixpence None the Richer Live at Gruene Hall [Flatiron]
Anne Wilson REBEL (Revisited) [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Azeekah Father I'm Sorry - Single [Syntax]
Doulos Worship Jubilee Song - Single (independent)
Drenae Can't Be Cold - Single [Syntax]
Ariel Fitz-Patrick Angels - Single [Capitol CMG]
Forrest Frank CELEBRATION - Single (independent)
Fred Hammond, Khristian Dentley, Gabriel Preisser Via Dolorosa - Single [Tomb Slayer]
Free Worship Praise the Lord - Single [BEC]
Ken Holt I Did Not Know - Single [MTS]
iNTELLECT Made Men - Single [Polished Arrow]
LO CLOUD Dreams Fail - Single (independent)
Evvie McKinney Believe in Jesus (feat. DOE) - Single (independent)
Mountain Climer Not Friends Anymore - Single (independent)
Autumn Nelon God Won't (feat. The Isaacs) - Single [Daywind]
Peech. Don't Miss Your Moment - Single [Capitol CMG]
Procyse, JusJames God Is Enough - Single [Polished Arrow]
R.kitect Intent 2 Distribute (Remix) - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus It is Well - Single [Provident]
Marvin Sapp Close the Door - Single [Elev8]
Jordan St. Cyr Help (Acoustic) - Single [BEC]
Stars Go Dim A Little Light - Single [Curb]


Next Friday, April 25, 2025
ALBUMS
PJ Bostic Hope In The Winter Stage (independent)
Megan Danielle Grace - Single [Provident]
Disciple Skeleton Psalms (Deluxe) [Tooth & Nail]
Smokey Robinson What The World Needs Now [Gaither]
Stephen Stanley trustfall [Capitol CMG]
UPPERROOM 1350 (Live) [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Big Daddy Weave Stranger No More - Single [Curb]
bodie SAY SO - Single [Provident]
Bongo Chico Wrongside Right - Single (independent)
Dan Bremnes Cortado - Single [Curb]
Mainstream Worship CHANGED! - Single [DREAM Worship]
Xander Sallows superficial - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out the newest JFH Metal compilation - FREE!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images