Beauty Will Rise

Steven Curtis Chapman | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 3, 2009
• Release Date: November 3, 2009
• Label: SPARROW RECORDS
• Copyright: (C) 2009 Sparrow Records
• Total Length: 49:51
• Genres:
• ASIN: B002SXS84C
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,548 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Agnostic Perspective, March 25, 2010

By 

KJS (Maumelle, AR United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beauty Will Rise (Audio CD)

I bought this album for my wife's birthday. As someone who has struggled with my faith for many years I have been quite cynical towards Christian music. I have often said that it's a watered down version of secular music with a one-dimensional theme. "If you've heard one contemporary Christian song, you've heard them all".

However, I was interested to listen to this album after hearing about the circumstances surrounding it. Being a father of two myself, I can't imagine going through what SCC has endured. I wanted to see how a person could craft songs around such a personal experience.

What I heard was nothing short of a true artistic masterpiece. Every time you listen to this album you find a new message to receive. On one hand it can be overwhelmingly depressing and it is very difficult to listen to without tearing up. And yet on the other hand it is one of the most truly inspirational collections of music I've ever heard. And like all great art not only does it contain several layers of depth, it only gets better with time.

As I said before, I struggle with the Christian faith I was raised under. I have questioned God's existence and even dismissed all religion as an easy way to explain complicated truths. But one thing I realized after hearing this album is that it's easy for a person to turn away from their faith when the unspeakable happens. And no one would blame a person for doing so. But it takes great strength to publicly affirm your faith in the face of such adversity. I have seen no better vehicle of ministry in recent years than this album. It has compelled a guy like me to write a review of a "Christian" album. Unfortunately I think the Christian label will prevent it from receiving the wide exposure that it should get. I think everybody has something to gain by giving "Beauty Will Rise" a listen.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope For Despair, November 3, 2009

By 

Shakiel D. "Aspiring Novelist" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beauty Will Rise (Audio CD)

After the tragedy that struck the Chapman family in May 2008, I knew that Steven's next album was sure to be a completely different experience, and I was very curious as to what Beauty Will Rise would sound like.

The day I watched him perform the song "Beauty Will Rise" live on YouTube, I was blown away. The words and the message spoke right to my heart and comforted many of my personal despairs & troubles . . . God spoke to me amazingly through that song and it became my instant favorite.

Of course I was eager to hear the rest of songs---and having heard them now, I still am astonished at how much the lyrics seem to have been written exactly for my problems---God used and is using these songs to remind and comfort me.

"I Will Trust You" is a another favorite of mine. The opening lyrics describe how desperate Steven felt ("I don't even want to breathe right now") , and yet he continues on with hope ("I will trust you/Even when I don't understand")---("Your plans for me are better than my own").

In "Our God Is In Control" , "Jesus Will Meet You There", & "Faithful", we are reminded that no matter how terrible and wrong things are going, even worse than we could have ever imagined, God is there, in control, and He is faithful.

"SEE" & "February 20th" are tender, wholly heartfelt songs that triggered many emotions in me. Just the way Steven sings "SEE" was enough to move me deeply. These are the sad and tearful songs---especially "SEE"---gently comforting and reminding us that joy is coming ("Just wait and SEE").

"Heaven Is The Face" & "Just Have To Wait" are sort of bittersweet songs that both deal with Steven's intense longing to get to heaven, where he can dance, laugh and play his daughter again---all the things he misses and can't wait for once more. ("But I/Oh I/Just have to wait/Cause I know that day's coming")

"Questions" & "God Is It True? (Trust Me)" both tackle all the struggles, wrestles and questions that appear through all our pains and tribulations, and again assures us that God is there, and He is saying "Trust Me".

Finally, "Spring Is Coming" is an uplifting and deeply encouraging song that is the perfect ending to the album. Even though things seem dead and lifeless now, "Spring is coming/And all we've been hoping and longing for/Soon will appear/"

Steven's style is as unique as ever, this time centering heavily on acoustic guitar, supported by piano and cello.

A truly wonderful album, more than words can say.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, November 4, 2009

By 

Kyle C. Bueermann (Kermit, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beauty Will Rise (Audio CD)

Wow. I can't think of a cd filled with as much raw emotion as this one. Steven Curtis Chapman lays all his heart-wrenching questions about life, faith, and God out there. Knowing all that his family has been through over the last year and a half since the tragic death of their daughter, this cd is difficult to listen to, and yet it serves as a reminder that there is hope in Almighty God. He brings us into his world of pain and hope. The music is great, to be sure, but it's the lyrics that will grab you and bring you in. Through this cd, the Gospel came alive for me in a way that it has not in quite some time. This music will be a reminder that God is faithful even in the most unbelievable circumstances.

Chapman's conclusion, even in the midst of questions and circumstances I pray I'm never faced with, is found at the end of the song SEE: "Taste and see that the Lord is good," from Psalm 34:8. May you catch a small taste from this music.