Since hitting the Christian music scene in 1999 with her self-titled debut, Natalie Grant has been making beautiful music about life as one who has faith and that includes songs about the bad times as well as the good. "Held," one of her biggest hits, shared the story of a mother who had just lost her two-month-old baby. While Natalie could sympathize, being a mom herself, she couldn't empathize because she has never experienced the loss of a child. "Hurricane," the lead single and title track off of her newest (7th studio) album, is a horse of a different color. The song is about being sucked into the storms of life (postpartum depression, finding out a family member has a heroine addiction and then learning your father has cancer) and it's not just hard times she's singing about ... it's the story of a year and a half of her own life. Hurricane, Grant's most personal release to date, shares her story more fully than any other project. She co-wrote eight of the ten tracks, clearly baring her soul, her storms and her struggles. But this isn't a sad and depressing album at all. It is a snapshot that we can all relate to in one way or another and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
Mixing musical styles, Natalie raises the bar on every one of them. Kicking off with the cheerful "Closer to Your Heart," you get a taste of what is coming. The music is upbeat but the lyrics pack a powerful punch as you hear a sincere cry to God, begging Him to ease the emptiness. The beautiful pop ballad, "Whisper," reminds us that we find Jesus in the quiet - not just in the roar. "Born to Be" which features Gary LeVox from Rascal Flatts, is an earnest prayer that asks Jesus to help us remember the love that we were created to share with the world and lead us back to the path we were intended to walk. With an upbeat, dance sound, "Dead Alive" is joyful praise to the max. Closer, "In the End" has a tent revival feel that will get you up and moving.
This is a release that will touch you in a compelling way. Her beautiful voice, combined with glorious music and stories that are pure gems, make it a real winner in my book.
GENRE: Contemporary / Pop
RECORD LABEL: Curb
RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2013
TRACKS: 10
Title Track List:
- Closer to Your Heart
- Hurricane
- For All Of Us
- Whisper
- Burn Bright
- This is Love
- Born to Be (featuring Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts)
- Dead Alive
- When I Leave the Room
- In the End
STAND OUT TRACKS:
- For All Of Us
- In The End
- Hurricane
