Open Web Player
I want to preface this review by saying that I am not a frequent listener of Christian Contemporary Music, so my knowledge of the genre is limited to the few minutes I will turn on K-LOVE in my car before becoming quickly bored with the bland, pop-styled music that still sounds like it was produced in Hanson's heyday, and often recycled lyrics that too often seem to lack the genuineness that normally accompanies live musical worship.
On that note, if other artists in the CCM industry are producing music that is as genuine, fun, and God-glorifying as Moriah's debut 'I Choose Jesus,' I have plenty of reason to reevaluate my assessment of the industry. Just from the title of her album, Moriah makes clear her motivation for singing, and her lyrics are refreshingly straightforward when it comes to communicating the gospel of Jesus and encouraging believers without compromising or resorting to singing about a nameless, generic love. If you have ever watched an interview with her, you can see that Moriah is a young woman that absolutely radiates integrity and isn't ashamed to sing about her God.
On the other side, while I find Moriah to be more forthcoming about her faith than I've seen other artists in her industry to be, I think the album would be highly accessible to believers of different faiths or non-religious folk. I am a male in my early 20's and I really could not help singing along in my car and just feeling GOOD. What might be the most refreshing thing about this album is that it's just exciting and new and it doesn't sound like it was mass-produced. The first couple several tracks, "Know Us By Our Love," "Well Done," and "Sing in the Rain" are just incredibly fun and well-produced and NOT over-produced, a huge problem I find in music today. The instrumentation strikes the right balance to display Moriah's vocal and lyrical talent while creating something that is just fun to dance and listen to in the car. "Well Done" and "Sing in the Rain" are definite winners.
There are a few more mellow tracks like "Haven't Even Kissed", which has a bit of Moriah's personal testimony and her answer to the tween pop love songs, but Moriah's depth and maturity shifts the tone from cutesy to something that is genuinely honest and very sweet. "No Shame" is a strings and piano piece that also really shows off her range and versatility- very jazzy and worshipful song with some great lyrics.
All in all, I took a gamble on purchasing this record and I came up richer for it. Moriah Peters is 20 years old at the time of writing and she has one record out, but that record is one of my favorites of 2012. I am blown away that a 20 year old in the music industry is making this type of music that is catchy and fun while singing from a place a personal integrity that is both genuine and God centered. Her debut makes her sound like an old pro at this- it's musically polished and lyrically deep, and I can't wait for more.
Frequently bought together
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
Marlies Blättler
Moriah ist eine super Sängerin!
Reviewed in Germany on January 10, 2014