MercyMe "Almost There"

Title: Almost There
Category: Praise & Worship
Artist/Group: MercyMe
Rating: 4 / 5

I Worship You Here Am I On My Way To You How Great Is Your Love I Can Only Imagine Bless Me Indeed Can Not Say Enough House Of God Call To Worship All Fall Down Christmas Carol In You

When I was asked to do a music review on MercyMe a while back, I played this album for a friend of mine who said, "Kind of reminds me of Chris Rice." Now, I don’t know much about Chris Rice, so I’ll have to take my friend's word for it. As for me, I usually have to listen to something for a while before I can really appreciate it. I’ve come to appreciate MercyMe. Before I go on, let me say that you should visit their website at mercyme.org (pick the Flash option if you can). Okay, my review/opinion on their seventh (and latest) album "Almost There":

What I really appreciated about this album is its good mix of upbeat, fun-to-listen-to songs along with heart-felt slower songs of praise. More importantly, I really enjoyed the worshipfulness of the songs. As I sit at the office listening to this album, I bob my head, and mouth the words as I work (as many of you already know, I am musically challenged!). Sometimes, I have to just be still as I am led to worship by some of the slower songs.

Most of the album is pretty upbeat. It starts off with an attitude of worship that’s very casual with "I Worship You" then goes right into a good song with a heart for missions called "Here Am I". They then slow things down a little with "How Great Is Your Love" and "I Can Only Imagine" (my favorite on this album). The next three songs pick up the pace and they end a little slower, with "Fall Down" and "In You".

As stated earlier, my favorite off this album is "I Can Only Imagine". It’s a song speculating on finally meeting our Lord Jesus in Heaven. The only way that you can sit and try to imagine something like this is if you achingly long for it. The manner with which it is sung is one filled with a heart of worshipful yearning. It reminds me of the joy and prize that is waiting for us.

My second favorite would have to be the first song, "I Worship You". I enjoy the way it keeps the worship a little lighter. It’s a reminder to me that the praise of our God is something that brings joy into our hearts and a smile to our faces; that we don’t always have to be in tears to really enjoy worshiping our Savior.

For third place, I’d say there’s a three-way tie between "Bless Me Indeed", "How Great Is Your Love", and "In You". "Bless Me Indeed" speaks of our need for Christ so that we might be a blessing to others by sharing the name of Jesus. "How Great Is Your Love" is another casual song of worship that’s a little slower, but full of praise. "In You" is a song about our Joy, God Himself, and how we will enjoy Him.

I’ve borrowed this CD from a friend to do this music review. As I do my Christmas shopping this season, I’ll probably stop by the local Christian bookstore and pick this up for myself. It’s worth getting. I give a 4 out of 5.

Discography: