Customer Reviews

All About Love

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Over the years, Steven Curtis Chapman has become famous for many things, but one is the love songs for his wife he puts into every release. Now, he's decided to release a collection of nothing but love songs. It's not a best of, however, as 12 of the 16 tracks are completely new. And at over an hour, there's plenty of material here.

The songs range in topic and cover every aspect of a relationship from friendship ("We Belong Together") to physical ("With Every Little Kiss"). Along the way he also discusses the struggles of any relationship ("How Do I Love Her") and the joy that Mary Beth has brought into his life (the cute "11-6-64"). Among the covers are a new version of his wedding classic "I Will Be Here" and a fun cover of The Proclaimer's "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" that I really enjoy. The notes inside the CD give a very personal picture of Steven and Mary Beth's relationship that add a whole other level to the music on the disc.

Personally, this CD hasn't reached me the same way his other CD's have because I'm not married. Still, he deserves a lot of credit for tackling a subject very seldom seen in Christian music and for the honesty he brings to the table. Not his best, but still well worth checking out. I'm enjoying it and don't regret buying it for a minute.

I knew I would buy it. I'm a huge fan of SCC and have been since about 1989 when I heard his first 2 albums. His music has been a gift from God in many different circumstances. BUT although I knew I would buy the album, I wasn't sure if I would like it. I'm single and didn't know if I could enjoy & relate to the words. But the songs are great musically and I am now on my 5th listen in 24 hours. This CD will stay in my player for a long time and each time I hear it, it will help & remind me to pray for couples I am close to.

It's up there with Steven's best albums, and the liner notes by Steven & Mary Beth added a great dimension in terms of being able to really understand the meaning behind the lyrics.

I strongly disagree with the reviewer who thinks Steven has sold out or gone "worldly" with this release. As he said in one of his interviews about this album, his marriage & family life is the area that most challenges him to really live out his faith and helps him see his selfishness and need of Jesus. These songs flow out of the prayer he has poured into his marriage and it is deeply spiritual. Thanks Steven & Mary Beth for sharing your hearts with us and being willing to model a Christ-centered marriage in a culture where marriage is under attack.

Anyone that is familiar with Steven Curtis Chapman (SCC) knows why they should purchase this CD. Anyone who is not familiar with SCC, this is why you should purchase this CD. If you are in love, ever been in love, or hope to be in love again, this is the CD for you. Just as it says in the title, "It's All About Love". SCC hits the bullseye with his powerful lyrics and his musical talent that is off the charts. From his "rootsy" sound found in rocking songs like "All About Love" and "With Every Little Kiss" to his tender hearted ballads like "I will Be Here" and "I Will Take Care of You" SCC weaves the listener through various emotions involved with love. Furthermore, SCC reminds us that love is about more than just how feel about our significant other, but about our children, our family, and most importantly our relationship with God. This is an awesome CD and a must have for SCC fans and a great collection starter for those who want to know more about love and about this gift of talent known as Steven Curtis Chapman!

Steven Curtis Chapman is at his best in two ways: (1) his fun-loving pop anthems (e.g. "Dive," "The Great Adventure," "Live Out Loud," etc.) and (2) his deep & thought provoking ballads (e.g. "God is God," "Be Still and Know," "Free," etc). I expected to lose both of these elements on his CD "All About Love," but I was wrong. You're definitely going to find some toe-tapping crowd-pleasing pop songs (Title track, "You've Got Me," "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)," "With Every Little Kiss," etc.) as well as some incredibly deep ballads about faith, love, & marriage ("Holding a Mystery," "We Will Dance," "Echoes of Eden" etc). Here are my highlights of this album: "11-6-64" is a cute song about what a 2-yr-old boy might have been doing on the date his wife was born; "How Do I Love Her" is a beautiful prayer asking God for wisdom in caring for his wife; "Moment Made for Worshipping" is the bookend of the album and an encouragement that we can honor God best when we love our spouse and children well. This album surprised me... and it will go down as one of (if not) the best collections of Christian love songs ever! I recommend going on a road trip with your spouse and crank this album up. In one hour, you will fall more in love and be more deeply connected to your spouse without even saying a word to each other. I did it... it works... it's amazing! Way to go Steven!

What the "World" would have us believe is that Steven Curtis Chapman's new album is a step towards the pop mainstream and one step away from his Christian roots. Couldn't be farther from the truth. This is not a secular album. His love of the Lord comes shining throughout the album. His terrific uptempo numbers "All about love", "Your side of the world" and "We belong together" all contain his signature guitar driven sound. A truly great relationship cd.

For those of us who have followed Steven Curtis Chapman's music and ministry, you are in for a real treat! This project is much different, in style and content, from the previous two, but so profound and very "Steven". He has always been a man who sings from his heart and this album clearly is no exception. While "Declaration" and "Speechless" were filled with awesome declarations of God and specifically focused on Him, this project is a beautiful tapestry of the lives of Steven and Mary Beth Chapman through 18 years of marriage and a celebration of what God had originally intended in the Garden of Eden.

If you are looking for catchy tunes, orchestral interludes, and special FX don't buy this album. The music is simpler, no mass choirs, crashing cymbals or Gameboy here.. If you DO want an invitation to look at what God has done in the hearts of two people joined in marriage, you will not be disappointed. You'll see a different Steven in "All About Love" and be touched by his tender, faithful, humble, and at times, perplexed reflections on what it is to be a husband and friend to his treasure, Mary Beth.

About the songs: anyone in a committed relationship will appreciate the depth and honesty of the songs, as well as SCC's humor in "Tarzan and Jane" and "11-6-64". "I'll Take Care of You" is masterfully performed, a jazzy new style for SCC. These songs tell a story of "the good, bad, and ugly" in their relationship, about learning to appreciate differences, weathering storms, and STILL being able to say to each other "how wonderful is is to be in love with you, with every little look, with every little touch, with every little kiss." SCC wrote a kissing song?! Yep.

"We Will Dance" is reminiscent of "I Will Be Here" in style and content. An older Steven, still true to his wife. Beautiful. He sings, "Even when our steps grow weak and slow still I'll take your hand and hold you close to me, and we will dance."

"Moment made for worshipping" is profoundly wonderful. It speaks of every moment of our lives being a living sacrifice to God, not just Sunday morning at church, but Monday at 6:30 am.

I love the lyrics in the prayer "How Do I Love Her," that say "... that's why I'm asking please will you teach me what she needs. I'm an earnest man when it comes to learning how to love this woman...Well I know it's gonna take a lifetime to answer this prayer I pray but that's okay, 'cause I've given you and her my lifetime anyway." The heart of this this man is gold. Steven, the "wordsmith" has combined his music and words to encourage others to be bold, committed, and yet humble in relationships with our spouses.

Perhaps some will criticize this album for not specifically focusing on God. But what is God, but love? And who are we to love first and foremost but our spouses? Steven's faith is not just for the stage, he Lives out loud through loving people in earnest. This album goes to prove it.

P.S. Read the notes! Mary Beth and Steven have practically crafted a book for you in the fine print and what a priceless look into their thoughts and hearts it is. You will appreciate each song so much better by not skipping over the notes.

Enjoy!!

Since he first appeared on the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) scene in 1987, Stephen Curtis Chapman (SCC to his fans) has released 10 studio albums, a Christmas album, a live album, and a couple of "greatest hits" albums. He is, arguably, the most talented CCM artist, with several Grammy and Dove awards to show for it.

However, SCC has never written music for the public. Instead, he has always written what is on his heart. Because of this, SCC has delivered several different types of albums.

"All About Love" contains nothing but love songs, most of which were written for or on behalf of his wife, Mary Beth. Some of my favorites include:

"All About Love" - The title track of this album reminds us that everything in life is about love, specifically God's love for us.

"11-6-64" - A song about the day his wife was born.

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - A remake of the song originally recorded by the "Proclamiers." He recorded this song at his wife's request. A very fun song.

"We Belong Together (Tarzan and Jane)" - Probably the most recognized song on this album since it was one of the main songs in the Disney animated Tarzan movie.

Although the above songs are my favorites, I like all of the songs on this album. It is obvious that SCC has written (except for the two he did not write himself) and sung these songs from his heart. This is a great CD to put in the player after a hard day and just let it speak to you.

SCC does it again with this beautiful album of his earthly love. I can listen to this CD over and over and be melted each time by the touching lyrics and outstanding vocals. Although I have not heard all of his other albums, this is by far one of my favorites. Anyone looking for sweet romantic music with a Godly influence, this is the CD for you. Guys, take notes on ways to impress your gal. SCC has got quite the way with words.

SCC offers up something a little different with this release. The focus, obviously, is love, and the majority of the songs are slower and more "romantic." All About Love and Moment Made For Worshipping pick up the pace a little bit, but that's about it. Yet, these songs are perfect to share with a significant other. I Will Be Here is so great and Your Side of the World explores the differences between male and female perspectives. Declaration and Speechless will still get a ton of play in my CD player, with All About Love getting selected time here and there. Looking forward to the next SCC album already.

A caring album, genuine with varied styles of songs from upbeat "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)" to slower songs like "When Love Takes You In". He is speaking from his heart either toward his love toward his wife or singing of the love of Jesus. I enjoy all the songs on the album, I do not skip any of them when listening to it.