You know how every time Steven Curtis Chapman or Michael W. Smith puts out a record, you always fly to the store to try and get the first copy? Ever wonder if another artist could catch your ear as much as Chapman and Smitty do? You don't have to wonder anymore. Reigning from a small town in North Carolina, Warren Barfield is clearly in the same ball park.

With his self-titled freshman release, Barfield doesn't fall short of a predictable future. If he doesn't make it as big as Chapman, he'll come pretty darn close. The first track on his ever-fresh release, "My Heart Goes Out," is about a girl who's in need of God or just someone who cares. The song is very well thought out and well written, which would explain its frequent air play on all major Christian radio stations. Next on the album is "Beautiful Broken World," fun, yet serious about the world we live in. The next track is undoubtedly one of the best if not the best track on the album, "Mistaken." "I shouldn't have to tell you who I am/ Cause who I am should be speaking for itself/ 'Cause if I am who I, I want to be/ Then who you see won't even be me/ Oh the more and more I disappear/ The more and more He becomes clear/ 'Til everyone I talk to hears His voice/ And everything I touch feels the warmth of His hand/ 'Til everyone I meet/ Sees Jesus in me/ This is all I wanna be/ I wanna be mistaken/ For Jesus" It's lyrics like these that truly move you and make you want to lead a life full of Christ. This song is nothing short of spectacular. More or less, the songs on this album won't do anything but uplift your soul. Some are heart-felt, like "Mistaken," and some are funny yet serious like "Pictures Of The Past."

If you love Smitty, Chapman, or even Bebo Norman, you will not be disappointed in this album. However, if you aren't really into the acoustic/pop, you might want to invest your money elsewhere. But not buying this release would deprive you of hearing a glimpse into the bright future of CCM.

- Review date: 11/11/03, written by Jessica (Jaye) for Jesusfreakhideout.com