Where does SLTB stack up with JC's other efforts?

[Restored]

The first thing that stuck out after listening to a few spins, was the production of this CD. Big thumbs up to Bannister. I love the theme and the message of the CD and it's pretty tough to find any issues with the music. IMO...The guitars are turned down on a few of the songs and the strings almost sound too perfect. JC has written some of his best material to date and his Love for our Saviour shines through. Seems his vocal range is growing and he has never sounded better. I have two teenage daughters that I have dragged to several of J's shows , but they are not big fans. I pray that this CD will speak to them. The youth of the world needs to hear this message and I pray that they do.

As I listen to the CD daily, it continues to speak to me and could very well produce some of my Fav J tunes.

My favs at this point...

There Will Be A Day
You Will Be There
My Fortress
Giving You All Control

When it's all said and done, SLTW maybe JC's best effort. Yet as of now ...

Fav CD

Stay
Restored
SLTB
Beyond Measure
Burden Me
Carried Me

The great thing about JC , is he is one of the biggest artists on the planet and is one of the most humble people I've ever met. Can't put a price on his gift and how he uses it to speak to the youth of this earth. Not that he cares, but anything short of a few Doves would be laughable.

JC...Rocking for JC!

[giveyouglory]

Those songs on SLTB you said you liked just happen to be four of my favorites!:D
(With You Will Be There being my favorite)

[drake71449]

this is up there with restored....i mean i like the other albums too but wait ....lemme just say this one and the unplugged dvd/cd...so there i covered all the albums basically :)

:p

[inthesilence27]

WELL LET ME JUST SAY THIS after reading your post. Just remember that this is another book of blessings in Js life. bc i heard in one of his interviews about this record it was a look back ablum as to say where he started . his highs , lows and in betweens so its another new chapter. of where God has bright him. (could some reinrate this better. ) c i dont know if that makes since

[Convicted]

Hm... from all the albums as a whole, Restored is still probably my very favorite, then it's a tie between Beyond Measure and Speaking Louder Than Before, can't really decide at this point. Then Stay, and afterwards Carried Me, then the Live & Unplugged CD/DVD.
But I love many different songs from each CD - I should make a list of my very favorite songs.

[LauraA]

It's so hard to decide because each album is special in it's own right. They are all powerful and I really enjoy every single one of them. I think the lyrics and music in SLTB go deep and are rich. The raw power of Stay is moving to me. I don't know. I can't put them in any sort of order. SLTB is a blessing, that I do know!

[Toddrick33]

Nothing will ever beat Stay.

SLTB is definitely better than Restored.

After speaking with J and his heart about Beyond Measure (have not gotten to see him since the new album!), I believe that SLTB is right on par with his goal of putting his heart back into the lyrics and writing for God instead of just for selling records.

I also love the "fringe" albums (Carried Me, Unplugged) but those can't compare with new originals!

[Convicted]

I think it's really a toss up - something everyone personally decides for themselves. Whether they rate the album on artistic quality/songwriting, vocals, the message, the diversity of the different issues addressed, the heart behind the songwriting, the production, and the personal experiences & connection to the album and song, or if they rate all of these characteristics & more. But one thing I do know, every CD (and song) holds special meaning in different ways. And really, everytime I buy a new CD from someone I think about their journey in the process of the writing; because we're watching them continue to grow in their walk with God and their experience with music. In the same way we can relate, because there's a message we need to hear at the specific time we listen, that relates back to our individual journey.

[drake71449]

I think it's really a toss up - something everyone personally decides for themselves. Whether they rate the album on artistic quality/songwriting, vocals, the message, the diversity of the different issues addressed, the heart behind the songwriting, the production, and the personal experiences & connection to the album and song, or if they rate all of these characteristics & more. But one thing I do know, every CD (and song) holds special meaning in different ways. And really, everytime I buy a new CD from someone I think about their journey in the process of the writing; because we're watching them continue to grow in their walk with God and their experience with music. In the same way we can relate, because there's a message we need to hear at the specific time we listen, that relates back to our individual journey.

well said...i agree

:p

[Toddrick33]

Whether they rate the album on artistic quality/songwriting, vocals, the message, the diversity of the different issues addressed, the heart behind the songwriting, the production, and the personal experiences & connection to the album and song, or if they rate all of these characteristics & more. But one thing I do know, every CD (and song) holds special meaning in different ways.

That is awesome! Well-said! And that's why Stay will never, ever, ever, ever, be topped in my opinion. Just the time and way that album came into my life, not to mention the heart of the artist... I may just tear up. :)

[LauraA]

I just listened to Stay today and wow...the POWER!

[drake71449]

Stay is awesome!!!

:p

[Toddrick33]

I just listened to Stay today and wow...the POWER!

Not for the first time, I hope! :eek: ;)

[drake71449]

probably the first time that day :p

[LauraA]

Not for the first time, I hope! :eek: ;)

No, not for the first time. It's one of my favorite CDs. I've had it for a few years and listen to it often. But I'd been listening to SLTB and BeMe, and then Stay, and there is such a different feel to each one of them. The word that kept coming to me while Stay was on was "power". Love that J growl.

[thatJB]

Ahhhh, God is being so hilarious again.

Hi Laura, Todd, Leigh (cross thread post), et al. The new triva person hasn't arrived to show how SLTB completes the circle back to Footstool...like Glowing did back to Free for SP?

No comments on(?):
Matt getting a vocal credit, come on, that's funny.
No band members, including J, played on the album.
Who or what the producers did before.
No Dodd & Watts, but hey, that's a Lajoi bro there!

And I'll expand on Todd's earlier comments...
Not a Sprinkle credit to be found, woohoo and finally! I'm one, of more than one, who never found the Camp/Sprinkle relationship compatable. As proof, I offer up Tonight. While it is a great song/message, no one could sing along live...not even the recording artist.

BM/Stay, CM and, SLTB are different from Restored and Beyond Measure. I can feel the struggle to write hits in the latter. The former are just J and his Lord. Beyond Measure does have a great 'rage against the machine' moment w/ Give Me Jesus. Restored is better than Beyond Measure, but neither compare to BM/Stay, CM and, SLTB.

No, Stay will never be topped b/c of the pure, raw intimacy. That being said, I love me some worship...so my faves are CM and SLTB.

Thanks for the Worship album J!

Wait, where's Cara? Labby? Wizbang?

[LauraA]

Howdy Jean! I've missed ya.

It's always interesting to read the different views and thoughts on music. We all seem to look at different aspects of it. For instance, I'm very much a "feeling/emotions" type of person. So when I listen to music, I truly feel it, feel what the artist is or seems to be feeling when he or she sings it, or at least what they are wanting us to feel when we listen to it. So I rate music according to what I feel when I listen to it. I can go from weeping before the Lord to laughing with joy before Him. (No, not hysterics. LOL) The bad thing about that is my mood or frame of mind can affect my perspective on it. And the music can also change my mood, which can change my mind. LOL. See. I'm a mushy thing! :rolleyes:

Some people rate or judge music by comparing it to other albums, or other artists. Some by how it touches their lives where they are at, or by memories it seems to be connected with, and still others rate it logically. I had to chuckle, Jean, because you make lists...like my hubby. Love it!

Cara and Steve are on pretty often. I don't see Dave though. Hey Dave...if you're lurking, come out of hiding. We miss ya! :)

Psalm 99:5
Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Yes, worship is where it's at! Praise God!!