Release Date: 7/27/2010

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In 2008, Tooth&Nail Records introduced us to Ivoryline and their album “There Came A Lion”. After waiting for 2 years, Ivoryline has sailed back into our auditory canals with “Vessels”, a 13 song collection that clearly places them at the top of the pack among many of the other bands in christian music. Over the past few years, it has become customary to release a 10 track album. It’s almost industry standard now. With 13 songs, the album reads almost like a book, with its natural progression from introduction, to predicament, to solution.

The first thing that you will notice about this album is that the lyrics are even more open “spiritually” than on “Lion”. While you could easily find the message in the songs on “Lion”, the honesty in who Ivoryline is and what they believe is very apparent. With the help of Aaron Sprinkle, who produced “Lion”, the intensity that is felt in the opening track, “The Healing”, is carried through the album. Also notable are the guest artists that appear on the album, including Jason Vena(The Healing), one of this writers favorite vocalists and lead singer of the new defunct Acceptance. Aaron Sprinkle also makes a guest appearance, lending his vocals on the title track, Vessels.

“Vessels” is both more lyrically mature and instrumentally proficient than their previous album. Jeremy Gray, the lead singer, says that “it’s been four years since some of the songs on There Came A Lion were written. Our tastes in music have changed, and we have changed as people.” This is more evident in the issues that are covered in the songs.

We can’t earn God’s love, no matter what we do. It’s a free gift, if we choose to accept it, whenever we choose to accept it. (The Healing)

Trusting in God’s hand to change us and purify us from the darkness that is still inside when we focus on self, instead of God and others. (Search Me Out)

How we live our lives as followers of Christ in a world where we are called to be salt and light. (Vessels)

And thats barely scratching the surface. For almost any area of life, there is almost certainly a song on this album that addresses it. Overall, we are the Vessels that carry Him into the world, and each song challenges you to grow and strengthen your ship.

The Bottom Line: It’s often hard for a band to top their previous album, especially when its of the calibre that “Lion” was. Ivoryline certainly has done that. Fair warning: put your big boy pants on when you listen to this album, because you will be confronted with some tough, personal questions. Don’t let this album pass you by…. pick it up today.

9.0 Out of 10
Reviewed by Wes Brawner of RockTheCross.net

Release Date: 5/4/2010

Twitter:@mercyme

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One can not venture far into contemporary Christian music without bumping into something written and performed by MercyMe. The Generous Mr. Lovewell is the latest effort from the super group and they have received much of the same resounding success. Momentum is a funny thing and with a big mover like MercyMe it’s nice to see them championing a cause as noble as this one.

“The Generous Mr. Lovewell,” revolves around a fictional character we created who reminds us that we simply need to love others well,” explains MercyMe frontman Bart Millard. “For some of us, it means that we need to put hands and feet on our ideology and rhetoric. For others, it means that we need to continue in doing well, but to not stop there.” (taken from the band’s blog on 2-10-2010)

So there’s the mission, now what of the music? MercyMe seems to have a knack for creating songs that radio stations are unable to shelve. So I guess the real question might be, is Mr. Lovewell like his predecessors; in my opinion no. All tracks have a different feel than what I have heard before; all tracks except for “All of Creation” their Christian chart-topping single.

The album begins with a quirky sounding tune in “This Life.” The song is blatantly made to get you to do the bunny hop. “The Generous Mr. Lovewell” follows this tune with the theme of the album. The band carries this theme on the back of an acoustic pop sunny day style anthem. Think Christian Beach Boys. Mr. Lovewell is not with out its surprises. “Move,” the third track on the work, pleasantly shattered my preconceptions. MercyMe got it right with this one.

Now I can’t say that there is a poorly made track on this CD, however; like many, MercyMe tends to lack something that others like Downhere, or NeedtoBreathe have to spare. It must be hard to be in their position. They have to create something new without deviating much from what they know everyone loves.With that said, did they accomplish this; yes, they did. The theme of the album is right for our time and the music is ideal for the larger audience. They even wrap it up with the most important of statements. “But if all that we do / is absent of Jesus then this so called love…is completely… in vein.”

7.0 Out of 10
Reviewed by Greg Rutledge of RockTheCross.net

Release Date: 3/9/2010

Twitter:@sanctus_real

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Sanctus Real has had definitely paid their CCM dues and enjoy plenty of success with almost every album they make. It doesn’t come as a surprise that their first single from this album was making the radio rounds well in advance of the album’s release. While they are not in the do-no-wrong group of Christian music, they are certainly on their way to becoming the favorites of many. Pieces of a Real Heart is a more accurate album title than most. Who doesn’t appreciate a healthy dose of honesty in the slick music mainstream? However, sometimes honesty is simply unremarkable. Our lives can move by without event and not every moment is filled with turbulence. Therein is the conflict with Pieces of a Real Heart. The band’s heart comes right through; but the music content borders on bland.

“Forgiven” is probably the most musically engaging track on this album. Vocal layers and a natural song progression add distinction, which is something that tends to lack further into the album. “Take Over Me” begins with some nice guitar tones, but when compared to other artists within their genre’, fail to stand out.

Where Pieces of a Real Heart grabbed my attention is its profound lyrics. “I look around and see my wonderful life / almost perfect from the outside / In picture frames I see my beautiful wife / always smiling / but on the inside oh I can hear her say.”

This song beautifully illustrates, without reservation, a struggle that is felt in every marriage. “Lead me with strong hands / stand up when I can’t / don’t leave me hungry for love chasing dreams / but what about us.”

The author, and by extension his wife, let the listener into their struggle. They took a sensitive subject and brought it out in the open for the listener. “Show me your willing to fight / that I’m still / the love of your life / I know we call this our home but I still feel alone.”

This is probably not an issue they will ever escape, “Lead me cause I can’t do this alone / Father lead me / cause I can’t do this alone,” but one they will know how to fight. (lyrics from “Lead Me”)

Pieces of a Real Heart, while beautifully honest, fails to come out of its musical shell.

6.5/10

Review by Greg Rutledge of RocktheCross.net