Prime Cuts: The Power of a Prayer, Hello My Name Is, Forgiveness

Quipped with memorable lines, stocked with engaging stories, and imbued with life transforming Biblical truths, these are ingredients that make these 12 new cuts from West's new CD so alluring. After dabbling his toes last year in the festive waters with the release of his first ever Christmas release, Into the Light is West's newest effort following the hugely successful The Story of Your Life. Save for the title cut "Into the Light" being co-written by West and his producer Pete Kipley (Shane and Shane, Kutless and Mark Schultz), the entire album was written by West singlehandedly. This shouldn't come as a surprise as West is one of the most sought after writers in Nashville, having written cuts for Rascal Flatts, Mandisa, Point of Grace, Billy Ray Cyrus, Natalie Grant and 33Miles. And the sui genesis of this new studio album came out of the overflow of The Story of Your Life. Shortly after the release of "Story," West collected over 10,000 personal stories from his fans and their struggles with God and the Christian faith. Such narratives became the muses for his songs here. West needs to be applauded for sermonising these testimonies for us in interweaving the penetrating pain, frustrations and disappointments of these protagonists with heart wrenching Scriptural truths and profoundly thought out faith statements.

VIEW HERE Matthew West [Photos]

Stylistically, West has not deviated from his serviceable pop grooves that made him (in many ways) Contemporary Christian music's equivalent to Jason Mraz or Gavin DeGraw. Again this album is choke full songs of songs with soaring hooks including the lilting title cut "Into the Light." With the repetitive chant "Come on! Come On!" inviting us to leave our sinful lives to follow after Christ's light, this is the Gospel call made irresistibly indelible. Nestled in the soft stirring of strings, "Forgiveness" is a Godly response towards a lady by the name of Renee who lost her 20-year-old daughter when she was hit by a drunken driver. Remember to keep some Kleenex at the side when West warmly nudges, "So let it (the hurt) go and be amazed/By what you see through the eyes of grace/The prisoner that it really frees is you." Ultimately our pains can only be put down via the power of prayer, and this is the thesis for the piano based ballad "The Power of a Prayer." Somehow one would wish West would somehow include more piano ballads as he truly does them with utmost beauty.

West is not afraid to be creative in his story telling. Somehow reminding us of the Biblical story of Job where Job would quiz God about his sufferings, "Moved by Mercy" finds West and Caitlin Evanson treading lines in an imagery question and response between God and a fellow sufferer. While the perennial struggle of listening to voices of regret and defeat over anchoring our identity in Christ is the theme of the invigorating "Hello My Name Is." The crisp guitars, the assertive piano chops and the gutsy lyrics certainly make this one of West's ever cuts. "Do Something" is a Godly kick in the face of any couch potato complainer who is frustrated that God has done enough for humanity when we ourselves would not "do something" for His Kingdom. Despite the rollicking fun in this track, it never should crib us from the theological truth that we are God's change agents.

With his high energy performance and the propulsive nature of these pop songs, by the middle of the album one would wish for a quieter (or at least a different) change of pace. Though there's diversity in the stories and lyrics, some of the melodies tend to sound similar and tiresome especially towards the latter half of the disc. Maybe some variation in production or one or two outside songs might easily simply elevate this problem. Other than this quibble, "Into the Light" is one of West's best records to date. West never hides away from the brokenness of sin. But it's in the valley of our hurts, West brings us via these songs to appreciate how beautiful and high the mountains of God's love are.

READ HERE Acclaimed Recording Artist Matthew West Releases New Studio Album, 'Into The Light,' Today To Widespread Critical Praise
READ HERE Get a Sneak Peek to Matthew West Upcoming Album 'Into the Light'