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

The Beautiful Gate

The Beautiful Gate
We All Need Jesus

Style: Acoustic Pop
Album length: 11 tracks: 46 minutes, 3 seconds
Street Date: January 28, 2014
Buy It: iTunes

The Beautiful Gate is the music of Guatemalan missionary Dan Ucherek. Dan has been a full-time missionary in Guatemala since 2012 and his lyrics definitely reflect his heart for missions. Dan writes the music and lyrics, plays guitar and drums, and sings on his debut album, We All Need Jesus. The Beautiful Gate brings an acoustic sound similar to someone like Jason Gray and compares himself to the likes of Big Daddy Weave and Matthew West.

The Beautiful Gate offers of up songs of devotion, God's love, and missions work. Musically, the album leans heavily on the acoustic guitar, but also has varying sounds including quite a bit of piano, some organ, and some slightly overdriven electric guitars at times. Dan himself has a smooth voice that flows nicely with his acoustic guitar. Songs like "Mission," "In My Place," "So the World Will See," and "Redemption is Here" stand out amongst the strongest on this 11-track outing; the latter of those is probably the album's best. While Ucherek's lyrics aren't always the most profound, they always proclaim Christ as King and serve his mission for spreading the message of hope to a lost world. Perhaps the weakest point of the album is when Ucherek himself isn't singing, as the guest vocalist in "Unashamed" takes away from the song a little. While Dan has a soothing voice, the female vocals are a little more harsh and don't blend as well with his own.

Overall, The Beautiful Gate has released an enjoyable album. We All Need Jesus isn't a groundbreaking effort, but Dan Ucherek has found himself in a nice little niche. There is definitely a following for this type of music and Ucherek does it quite respectably. If you're unsure on whether to give this unknown commodity a chance, a listen to "Redemption is Here" may sway your opinion. The Beautiful Gate is easily as good as many artists currently in the same genre and I can foresee Dan gaining a quick following if given the right exposure. Much respect is given to any person who is willing to give up "life as they know it" to become a mission in a foreign country, but even more respect is given to one devoted to that calling who wants to spread God's love beyond that country through the outlet of music.

- Review date: 1/28/14, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 11 tracks: 46 minutes, 3 seconds
. Street Date: January 28, 2014
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: iTunes

  1. Mission (3:52)
  2. Fully Devoted (3:44)
  3. In My Place (4:28)
  4. Step Down (3:16)
  5. God's Word (3:13)
  6. So the World Will See (4:39)
  7. Unashamed (feat. Brittany Nicole Mcclure) (4:26)
  8. Redemption Is Here (4:07)
  9. Wholly Yours (3:57)
  10. We All Need Jesus (5:46)
  11. Children of Destiny (4:35)

 

 

 

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]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [Provident]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
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