MercyMe

By Jenny Bennett, contributing writer, gmclife.com 

As one of Christian music’s most likeable and relatable hitmakers, MercyMe is poised for success with its brand new album, The Generous Mr. Lovewell. The project’s intriguing yet easy-to-grasp theme has smart packaging to match, and more importantly, the songs deliver the charisma that the visual appeal suggests.

The title track sets the theme in motion by introducing “Mr. Lovewell,” a fictional character who reaches out daily to show love to the people around him – and does it well. As lead singer Bart Millard shares in a video blog, the way society defines love is often the opposite of the Gospel message.

Although “The Generous Mr. Lovewell” acts as the obligatory theme song and is one of the happier, shinier pop tracks on the album, it still manages to deliver more than just a catchy hook. “Crazy Enough,” a smooth, appealing song with a Latin beat, reinforces the theme, suggesting that if we follow Mr. Lovewell’s example, it might be just crazy enough to change the world.

Continuing the trend of creating outstanding worship tunes that connect with a broad audience, (“I Can Only Imagine,” “Finally Home”) Millard and the gang have produced yet another excellent example of the exciting things happening these days in modern worship. Much like the 2010 Worship Song of the Year at the Dove Awards, “Revelation Song” by Jennie Lee Riddle, “All of Creation” has that certain something, in the form of potential to usher in the presence of God for listeners across the globe.

Several other songs on the project cement the worship slant, and it sounds as though the Dove Awards performance with David Crowder*Band may have been the culmination of some behind-the-scenes collaboration. I hear some definite hints of Crowder, and that’s a good thing.

The creative diversity of this project – from electric guitar-infused lines on the road trip-worthy “Move,” to pop dance beats on the project opener “This Life,” and gorgeous heartfelt tunes like “Won’t You Be My Love” – MercyMe has indeed lived up to its position in the industry.

As a fan of mostly acoustic rock and modern bluegrass, I became a Bart Millard fan with the release of his hymns projects, but despite radio success I never paid much attention to MercyMe until now. This one’s a keeper.

Click here to read our favorite "love well" stories sent by readers.

More Reviews