Though he doesn't have the name recognition of an Andy Squyres or Skye Peterson, Vancouver singer/songwriter Joshua Leventhal has been writing and recording wonderful, thought-provoking music for several years now. His last album, 2022's All Ye Lepers, received high praise from fans, and his singles since then have all been high quality as well. Now he's embarking on his most ambitious project yet, and it all begins with Tapiseri Volume I.

The three-album chronology of Tapiseri (the transliteration of the Greek word for "tapestry") will span the entire story of the Bible from start to finish. Volume I contains ten songs that begin with the creation story and end with the giving of the Law. But instead of just being Scripture sung word-for-word (like The Corner Room and Verses do so well), Leventhal takes a narrative approach, singing songs from various perspectives as characters within the stories. For instance, "Union" is about the creation of Eve, and it's written as a love song sung from Adam's perspective. Featuring Tenielle Neda, the song is a touching acoustic ballad from one lover to another, and is an early highlight of the album. Later, "Covenant" comes from God's perspective as He makes His covenant with Abraham and then asks him to sacrifice Isaac. God asks for Abraham's trust and promises to keep His side of the deal knowing that he (and, by extension, we) won't keep ours ("To tear you apart would shatter My heart / I won't make you do it son, I'll make a way / this is all part of something bigger than you could know or ever will / you see My word that I've kept from the moment you slept / ages on, I'm keeping still").

Most of Volume I portrays events from Genesis, which starts off with peace and joy and harmony before mankind quickly loses the plot. As Leventhal goes through the stories, he does a great job of matching the tone of the events with the tone of the music. Though I would say "Cursed" might sound a little too upbeat for a song about Adam and Eve's actions cursing the planet, everything else seems right on point. "Vagabond" sees a murdered Abel telling Cain about his cursed future, accompanied by a lower tempo and a somber acoustic guitar, which gets even lower for "Cover," where God floods the earth to start over, only to find mankind getting right back to their evil ways again.

Once "Covenant" rolls around, the tone begins to feel lighter, as God begins to discuss His plan for saving His people. The instrumental "Hesed (Union Reprise)" follows beautifully, giving the listener a wonderful chance to meditate on God's loving kindness and willingness to forgive. Through all the darkness, the album ends on an air of hope, as God sends Moses to lead the people out of bondage and into a covenant with God. The Law reads like a list of rules, but I love how Leventhal puts it in closing track "Tribes": "All these lists, laws, and feasts / they will serve as a ring / pointing yon to a day still to come / when the vows that we made / all I've kept, you betrayed / shall be rectified, sealed, and fulfilled in my Son / that in the end, this command is more like a promse / then you shall love the Lord your God with every inch of you."

Tapiseri Volume I is a lovely singer/songwriter album that nails the idea of a concept album and remains faithful to the Scriptures. I love the idea of putting the stories into a first-person perspective, and I appreciate the music direction that accompanies each song. It's an easy listen, and it's well worth your time, especially if you're a fan of the aforementioned Squyres, Peterson, or even someone like Chris Renzema. There are still 61 books' worth of Scripture left to cover, and I'm definitely curious to hear what Joshua Leventhal cooks up for them.

- Review date: 9/7/26, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

---

(JFH Sponsor Spot)

---