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JFH Music Review




Shawn McDonald
Simply Nothing



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks
Street Date: August 10, 2004


Shawn McDonald, one of the newer artists in the Christian music industry, wasn't always a laid-back Seattle-based singer-song writer. The Sparrow Recording artist is a living testimony of God's grace and wonder. Six years ago, as a lost kid on the streets of Eugene, Oregon, Shawn fell into a depth of sin involving nine felony charges for possessing, growing, manufacturing and dealing marijuana, LSD, and other controlled substances. After his second drug bust, McDonald made a total 180 turn in his life when falling to his knees and accepting Christ. Now, with his truthful pretensions, McDonald shares his testimony through his sophisticated, sensible, and yet simple album, Simply Nothing.

Simply Nothing, produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Paul Wright, Cadet), is McDonald's first piece of art, which has the creativity yet simplicity of an album written by an artist who has been in the business for awhile. McDonald's unique acoustic-soul sound blends with hints of hip-hop, organic instrumentation, rich vocals and emotion filled lyrics to produce an amazing new album.

Starting off the album is "Take My Hands", an upbeat genre-bending song which begins the thinking process for the album. With themes ranging from a need for God to the desire for the hard truth over a lie, this album is full of eloquence and emotion. The string-like acoustic and folk blend in "Gravity" follows. As the project's first single, the song shows Shawn's yearning to have a deeper relationship with God. Later in the album is Shawn's expression of worship with "Here I Am". Drawing comparisons from a variety of artists and styles of music, you may find an appreciation for Shawn McDonald's music. With a few repetitive yet deeply intriguing lyrics throughout the songs on the record, we can see that McDonald is still a rising artist but that his progress will be interesting to watch in the near future.

- Review date: 7/26/04, written by Jessica Vander Loop



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. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Sparrow Records
. Album length: 12 tracks
. Street Date: August 10, 2004
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Take My Hand
  2. Gravity
  3. Hold On
  4. Simply Nothing
  5. Beautiful
  6. Don't Walk Away
  7. All I Need
  8. Take This Life
  9. Have You Ever
  10. Here I Am
  11. Yahweh
  12. Open Me
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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

 

 

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This Wednesday, October 8, 2025
SINGLES
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)

This Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
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SNT. VINCENT Final Greetings [Syntax]
Razzie Digital Psalms - EP [Syntax]
Josh Wright LEAD (Deluxe) (independent)

SINGLES
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Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Jeff Knox Deja Vu - Single [Syntax]
Kelo Memory Lane - Single [Syntax]
MAYIA Pass Me Not - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Like You - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Decipher - Single [Syntax]
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]

Next Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
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]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]


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