Customer Reviews

Center of My Universe

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoy the music of many Christian artists, but Michelle Tumes is truly unique. Her music is ethereal, inspirational, relaxing and just fantastic!

I've been listening to her first release "Listen" from the time it came out and I was really excited about this new album.

I did give it 5 stars because I think it's really a great album (why do we still call them albums! <g>), but I was a little disappointed it wasn't longer. 35 minutes is a short CD! I agree with the other reviewers that it was just too short.

Michelle's music is great for having on softly in the background while relaxing or doing devotional reading, but it is also incredibly deep and if you can sit down with the liner notes, you'll be blessed for sure!

If you do put this CD on for relaxing background music, please note that "Do Ya" is one you might want to skip! I like the song, but it's very different from "classic Michelle Tumes".

I've only listened to it a few times, but so far "Heaven's Heart" is my favorite song on the album. "Immortal" reminds me of "Healing Waters" from her first CD.

Another CD I highly recommend is "Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship". It has two songs each from Michelle Tumes, Margaret Becker, Nichole Nordeman, Rebecca St. James and Jennifer Knapp. Michelle does the first song on the CD "For the Glory of Your Name" and that's my favorite song on the CD. Anyone who likes any of these artists would love "Heaven & Earth". A good way to get a bit more Michelle Tumes!

Michelle's debut was excellent, and she's adding onto what she has already established through her music with Center of My Universe.

The songs "Immortal" and "Deep Love" have the closest resemblence to the style and mood of Listen, her debut project.

"Christie Eleison" has a similar flavor, but raises the bar and is my favorite song on the album. I think it may be hers as well.

I've had opportunities to speak with Michelle a number of times, and as we talked about this new album, she really seemed as if she wanted to grow the scope of her sound. And probably faster than most people would expect.

The song "Do Ya" is a fun breakout from the Michelle Tumes you thought you knew.

"Missing You" is a personal song reminiscent of the song "Christ of Hope" from her first album.

"Chant" comes from the style of music you'd find in her CD player at home any given day.

It's an excellent album, and I highly recommend it for anyone who appreciates a talent far beyond voice and piano talents of an artist. The production is solid and the blending of Michelle's voice with her own voice on the accompaniment vocal tracks brings out the best of her gifts.

Wow! That's really all I can say. Michelle Tumes has done it again. As a 15 year old, you might be surprised to hear that Australia-native Michelle Tumes is my favorite Christian contemporary artist, and has been for almost 2 years. You usually might think a girl my age would be facinated with singers such as Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, or the Backstreet Boys, but hey-- in my opinion this young woman, with a passionate love for the Lord, is my favorite and always will be. "Center of My Universe" sort of begins where "Listen" left off. The CD opens with the stunning "Deep Love," and then moves on to the hit single "Heaven's Heart." "Lovely" was the song that caught my attention the most at a first hearing, and it describes God in the most poetic way. That song really makes me want to go outside onto green, rolling hills and gaze into the blue sky for hours, marvelling at God's creation. After "Lovely," comes "Do Ya" which sort of breaks the peace into a rock 'n roll ballad. Personally, this song was fun to hear at Michelle's concert and is a fun one to play when friends are over, but it usually is skipped in my CD player. The 5th song is "Immortal," where once again, Michelle's gift of songwriting is brought forth. It is similar to the song "Healing Waters" on "Listen." Following "Immortal" is "Missing You," a sad song about Michelle's longing for a dear friend. I believe this was written for Michelle's new husband, Doug. "With the Angels" comes next, and this song has to be the one I play the most. It has a very catchy tune and AMAZING background vocals. The way Michelle describes her seeing angels, really makes one feel like they're soaring high above the clouds. (I'm awaiting the day when I can play this song when I'm on a plane) "Chant" begins after "With the Angels," a song encouraging us to lay aside all worldy cares and rest in the peace that can only come from God. This song is a great one to hear when I'm stressed with school and life's hardships seem never ending. "Christe Eleison" abruptly begins after the chant, and then comes "I Wish For Peace," which closes the album with a sound much like that of "As You Lavish" and "Life Is Beautiful" on Michelle's debut album, "Listen." After awaiting many months for this new album, when I first heard this album I was a little disappointed. There are a couple of reasons. I think "Listen" was so excellent and so much time went in to polishing it and making it perfect, that no other album by Michelle will be able to surpass it. I have read somewhere that Michelle worked on "Listen" for something like 7 years. I can tell a little less work went into making this sophmore work. Don't get me wrong, though, IT IS A GREAT PIECE OF ART. The other disappointments regarding the album was the CD was just too plain short! It's only 35 minutes long. Most CD's nowadays are more like 50 minutes. I feel like at least 4 or 5 more songs could have been included, making the CD longer. That's my only complaint about this album. It really is too hard to narrow down my favorite songs. I'd have to say my favorite song for its beat is "With the Angels," but my favorite song for the lyrics is "Lovely." In all, my favorite songs are "With the Angels," "Heaven's Heart," "Christe Eleison," "Deep Love, and "Lovely." Although, it is really hard to narrow them all down, for I love them each differently in their own special, unique way. From all I have read about Michelle, and also what I have witnessed from her in person, it is obvious to anyone that this woman has a "Deep Love" for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I recommend this CD to everyone, the music is soothing and Michelle's voice is breathtaking. She's an encouragement to me in ways I can't explain. I desire to be a songwriter when I am older, and Michelle's given me a hope that it's a possible profession (after all, she was going to be a dentist before her sis stepped in!) for me. Hurry to your nearest bookstore, or order it online, for you will certainly not be disappointed. MICHELLE TUMES ROCKS! She's such a blessing!

Michelle Tumes has done it again! I have been looking forward to today, February 15, 2000, for several months. I bought "Center of My Universe" today with much excitement. So far, I have listened to this CD thoroughly only once since I just bought it hours ago. A couple of the songs were already familiar to me as I saw Michelle in concert in December a couple of months ago. I just love the songs "Heaven's Heart," "Lovely," and "Do Ya." Michelle's way of writing her feelings into music amazes me over and over again. She is an amazing young woman and I greatly respect her. Michelle is my favorite female Christian contemporary artist and this CD just goes to show how great she is! This CD is excellent. I would recommend it to anyone. Hurry up and get out to your nearest bookstore and get it! You'll appreciate every penny you spend on it. Congratulations to her and her new husband, Doug! We love you Michelle! You are certainly the best!

I was first introduced to Michelle via "Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship." Being immensely impressed with her, I remembered her name and face. As I was browsing through inspirational music one day, I came across this and excitedly grabbed it without hesitation. "Center Of My Universe" grows more meaningful and precious to me with each listen. Michelle has included a short, personal note about each song's meaning and/or where the inspiration came from. I love when an artist openly and courageously shares her heart like this! I feel like I know her through these notes and music.

Stand-out tracks are: "Lovely," "Immortal," "Chant," "Christe Eleison," (Latin for 'Christ, have mercy') and "I Wish For Peace," Michelle's prayer for this world. Also amazing, are "Deep Love", "Heaven's Heart", "Missing You" [o8E to all that have touched my heart--Love is forever!] and "With The Angels." My favorite track is "Immortal" and the main reason I am writing this review. I would like to thank you Michelle for this song that makes my "heart, soul and mind" (Mt.22:37) long and burn for Heaven! This song will be with me forever. It is a very rare occurence when I find a track that touches me so deeply.

"When seen through the eyes of God, the beauty of the world around us is more clearly defined. It is as though we are aware of the spiritual world beyond what we see in the physical realm. This lifts my spirit, because I am reminded that I will live eternally." (Michelle's notes on Immortal.)

"I walk; my soul is flying. I cry; but I'm rejoicing. I hunger; You're edifying. Bathed in light I roam this life 'til time takes me home. [Chorus: Immortal, immortal. Forever I will live Immortal, immortal, immortal.] I talk; my heart is singing. I kneel; and I'm ascending. I'm wounded; but You are healing. Earth is bright through Holy eyes that search from above. [Immortal Chorus] And my spirit's leaping Straight to the gates of heaven where I belong. My feet have journeyed longing to reach my home. I'll be safely home. I'll be safely home. [Immortal Chorus...]"

Oh man, I stepped out by faith after the 1st album listen which i adore very much, I never even heard 1 song from C.O.M.U. but when i got it the first song (i was briefly scanning) Heavens Heart smacked me in the face and i wanted to listen to it for 5 hours lol. Its awesome, Keep up the good work Michelle. Praise God :) Jerry

Somes friends of mine had purchased her first cd, which sounded good. Then I had heard of her new release, so I FINALLY bought it. Now I'm hooked to it. Not only is it chrisitan, but it's relaxing but also you can sing with it. If you've heard of ENYA...she's just like it in a way. If you like soft music or music that lifts your spirits, then add this to your collection!

I've never heard a really good sophomore (2nd) work by an artist. Until now. In this release, "Shelly" strikes out -- but not too far -- in more of a "pop" direction. "Heaven's Heart" and "Do Ya" are similar to her pop-christian hit from the "Streams" CD, "Hold On." The rest of the CD is pretty much classic Tumes, which means incredible soaring vocals, thoughtful lyrics, and production that illuminates her God-given talents, rather than obscuring them. One disappointment: too few tracks. She could have at least included her CD single, "Hold On To Jesus." More, More, MORE, Shelly! PLEASE!

I heard this CD before I knew that Michelle Tumes is a "Christian" artist. I was well into the album before I realized she was singing about "Him" and not just "him." By that time, I didn't care. (I'm Jewish.) Every song on this CD is beautiful, with multi-layered harmonies and rich arrangements. The music ranges from pop that could easily be on mainstream radio (hey, Sixpence None the Richer is a "Christian" group) to an Enya-like sound, but it is all very beautiful. Give Tumes a try...regardless of your beliefs.

This release is truly special. The first release of any artist is always a life long work resulting from its outstanding collection of songs to draw from. With this release, we are happily treated to more of the same quality songwriting. The production of this recording has noticeable stepped up a notch with the success of her first album and the resulting increase in funding of this project. A perfect example is the song "Lovely" which is such an amazing song in so many ways that words can't describe the experience! The only drawback to this release is it is a little on the short side with 3 songs under 3 minutes and the majority under 4. I guess I wish the experience would just last longer. Get out there and support this talent!