Review

Kathryn Scott is the voice and writer of the modern classic song "Hungry". After a 2003 debut album ("Satisfy"), Kathryn has now come out with her first studio entitled "I Belong". With this new release comes a deep message of God's love and our identity in Him delivered in a crystal clear audio experience of music and lyrics. Even after listening to this CD about 20 times, I am more captivated each time through this beautiful project. The album runs along two paradoxical axis- music and lyric content.

Musically, the album starts at the top of the perfectly layered radio playable sound prevalent in many modern worship recordings. Bristling acoustic guitar strokes, wistfully layered electric guitars with melody and low end power chords, simple drum rhythms and bass lines. As the album progresses, the arrangements gently slope into a simpler, pensive sound that ends with everything stripped away- leaving some songs that rest perfectly in just piano and voice. Along the way we encounter interlaced strings, upright bass, mandolin and solo cello contributions. Each part is well placed, and the whole album has that synchronicity of perfect sound and space that musos would say "it just breathes".

Thematically, the album is a beautiful representation that flows from declaration of God's works and power ("Everything Changes", "Thank you For the Cross", and "You Gave Your Live Away") to His identity ("Only True God" & "What a Friend") and our identity in Him and His love ("I Belong", "Grace Has Called My Name", and "Love Rescued Me"). Songs of praise ("How Could I Ever Say Thank You") and prayer ("Will Justice Rain") are perfectly integrated. The themes on this recording will bring you in ebbs and flows into a clear revelation of God's love and our enviable position of favor in His eyes. Frankly speaking, I also appreciate, on this album, the avoidance of so many overly-clever lyric attempts that seem to be cropping up on other worship albums-void attempts to grab a tired audience of worshipers. This mature songwriting keeps Kathryn in the echelon of writers who maintain a strong connection with scriptural renderings of ancient truths.

As theme and arrangements intersect, I find this recording a perfect oasis in the desert of so many over-produced, over-thought, and over-hyped albums hoping to provide a drink of the songs of heaven to parched-weary worshipers. If you are just thirsty for drinking in great truth about God, while raising your heart in thanks and contrite declaration of His grace, you will really love this album. With music accessible for literally every age group, but beautiful enough to have several cuts on radio ("Everything Changes", "No Turning Back", and "Thank You For The Cross"), this project deserves time spinning in your car or stereo.

More than anything be sure to make it to the last three songs on this recording. Here you will find a thundering soul in pensive perfection (with a Ginny Owens-esque lilt) singing my favorite song on the album "Grace Has Called My Name". This is followed by a clarion call of gut wrenching prayer put to song- "Will Justice Reign" paints the honest picture of our choice we have to reach out to a broken world with Christlikeness lived through us. Wrapping up the album is a partial re-write of that 19th century hymn "What A Friend" (We have in Jesus). Keeping the original verses, Kathryn adds a singable hook for a sparkling new chorus.

What else can I say? I absolutely loved this album, and I think you will too! Enough said.

Blessings
Kim Gentes