` Jesusfreakhideout.com: Jameson McGregor, "A Terrible Gift" Review
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Jameson McGregor, 'A Terrible Gift'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


Jameson McGregor
A Terrible Gift

Street Date: November 15, 2024
Style: Singer-Songwriter / Alternative



Jameson McGregor is a singer/songwriter who has been quietly releasing excellent music for over 13 years now. His third full-length release, A Terrible Gift, is all about dealing with grief after losing his father last year. Jameson's characteristic deep vocals, unassuming melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics are all present for his most emotionally heavy release yet.

We are blatantly introduced to the album's theme within the first lyric of the opening track "Scales," "When I first heard the news / My father was to die / Something much like scales fell from my eyes." Listening to each song is not an easy journey, but it is a deeply rewarding one. Just like the "broken and mended" feeling Jameson expresses listening to old voicemails from his dad, the storytelling and music of A Terrible Gift both cut deep but also offer encouragement.

Throughout the album, you'll hear a combination of acoustic guitar, piano, synths, or strings. The instrumentation is relatively subdued and only on a rare occasion does the energy pick up. Interesting musical choices will pop up on occasion, such as a toy piano in the outro of "Dissolve," or layering throaty backing vocals underneath his regular vocals on "Scales." Everything you hear is created by Jameson, which makes A Terrible Gift feel that much more personal. These lovely melodies, along with his deep voice, not only match the weight of the emotional songwriting, they amplify it. Even with many of these songs forgoing a traditional chorus, they stick with you after listening.

There is so much poetic imagery of his father's impact on his own character - from being a part of the shadow Jameson cast from the streetlight in "Scales," to the final lyric of the album expressing a desire to preserve his dad's kindness in "Dust." While not as deeply theological as some of his previous recordings, we also get some direct and indirect songwriting on how his faith shapes his perspective - most notably "What It Meant" and "Dust."

There are a handful of tracks, especially in the back half of the album, that are not only some of the best songs Jameson McGregor has released, but some of the best songs I've heard all year. "Hourglass" recounts significant events his father went through in his past and then beautifully closes with the poetic yet poignant lyrics, "The years of pain and the years of joy share one stream... You tell me through tears, you'd do it all over again." "Letting Go" is possibly the saddest song on the record; backed by an acoustic guitar riff that is reminiscent of the hymn "How Deep The Father's Love For Us," Jameson shares how he opened up to struggling with everything about his dying father and how he responded. "You did not then need my strength / Just wanted one last time to be for me / A comfort within reach / To parent me within my grief." Using that specific melody is a clever way of saying, without words, that his dad exuded the fatherly love of God. Other album highlights include "What It Meant," with its mesmerizing storytelling, "Scales," with its energy-filled bridge, and "Dissolve," which deals with overwhelming anxiety.

Typically, a weighty album like this would be difficult to listen to often, but despite its emotionally steep buy-in price, it keeps drawing me back in. The way you can sense Jameson processing through his thoughts and feelings in the music is vulnerable and refreshing. He often sits in the pain and shies away from offering answers. And yet, through it all, there is a thread of hope. For as raw as everything feels, the songs are strangely accessible. Possibly some of that is due to the good production value where everything feels appropriately mixed and engineered. However, a larger part is that Jameson has expertly crafted each song in a way that is immensely engaging. A Terrible Gift is an incredible achievement. Not only is this a great tribute to Jameson's father, but it is also a wonderful artistic resource to help others process their grief.

- Review date: 11/12/24, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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


 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 11 tracks: 44 minutes, 44 seconds
. Street Date: November 15, 2024
. Buy It: Bandcamp

  1. Scales (3:47)
  2. Unwinding (3:01)
  3. Dissolve (4:03)
  4. Overwhelm (4:20)
  5. Remain (2:53)
  6. Hourglass (4:24)
  7. Letting Go (6:23)
  8. Stare Into The Dark, Part 2 (2:21)
  9. What It Meant (3:58)
  10. A Terrible Gift (4:35)
  11. Dust (4:54)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

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

Search JFH



This Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
Planetshakers Weight of Heaven [Venture3Media]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Aaron Cole Mercy - Single [RCAI]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [RCAI]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You - Single [Capitol CMG]
Influence Music How You Do It - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Paul and Hannah McClure Holy Hands (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Lizzie Morgan Can't Help But Praise - Single [Provident]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Shekts Nelson Your Love - Single [Churchboy]
Blessing Offor Crying Out Loud - Single [Capitol CMG]
Remedy Drive Brighter Than Apathy (Reimagined) - Single (independent)
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship The One Who Saves - Single [Integrity]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images