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Editorial Reviews
Over the last ten years Andrew Peterson has quietly carved out a niche for himself as one of the most thoughtful, poetic, and lyrical songwriters of his generation. More recently he's established himself as the grassroots facilitator of an online literary and songwriting community and an emerging fantasy novelist as well (The Wingfeather Saga). But it's still ultimately that sense of rootedness that listeners, readers and fans seem to respond to most deeply-- because Andrew's songs (and books) remind us again and again of simple, solid things like love and friendship and hope and redemption and beauty and how our stories were meant to be shared, and how the darkness will not always hold sway, and how we, being human, need to hear those things over and over again, because otherwise we become disconnected from the very stories we're living in. All of which brings us, in a roundabout way, to our real starting point, because somehow, Andrew Peterson's new, twelve-song project, Counting Stars (produced by Ben Shive, with Andy Gullahorn) manages to do all that without ever leaving home.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Prime Cuts: Many Roads, Fool with a Fancy Guitar, The Magic Hour
"If you step inside this great glass elevator it will take us up above the city lights" are the first words of invitation Peterson cordially issues at the start of this disc. "Counting Stars" is a ruminative sonic journey whereby Peterson offers us to take us to the top of life's tower and offers us a panoramic view of life. From the top, we are able to make sense of the intricacies of life and the things that matter to us and God. It's also from such height we are able to count the stars of God's blessings as Abraham did all those years ago in the Bible. And what makes this pilgrimage such an endearing one is that Peterson is a writer of the heart. With carefully crafted narratives, well-chosen images and scripturally informed messages, Peterson is never a soporific tour guide. This may also be attributive to the fact that Peterson is more than just a Contemporary Christian artist he's also a Christian writer of children and young adult books. Even the song titles like "The Magic Hour," "Fool with a Fancy Guitar" and "Dancing in the Minefields" are rifle with a C. S. Lewis-esque intrigue that makes you want to listen to them.
Sonically, Peterson holds his very own well. Instead of giving in to the cookie cutter and sounding like the next Steven Curtis Chapman or Caedmon's Call, Peterson has carved out his own niche. Unbounded by convention, Peterson would often experiment with rustic instruments (like the banjo) to the lush arrangements of strings. Yet, most of the time, he keeps things simple with a folk and country slant to most of the songs' execution. And such simplicity in arrangements in no ways dilutes the powerful messages of the songs. Case in point is the piano-led ballad "Many Roads." "Many Roads" is a fine illustration of Romans 8:28 whereby Peterson sings about how the various roads of our lives are not serendipitous but they are God-ordained. Gentle and soothing to the soul is "The Magic Hour" a worship hymn to God's creativity in creation packed with picturesque lyrics that is just adoringly sweet.
While many contemporary Christian artists are reticent to speak boldly about Scriptural truths, Peterson knows no such restraints. "In the Night" strings together the stories of the Bible whereby God interceded in the midst of the most trying times with the song culminating in the Cross. This is a magnificent epic that sums up the consistency of God's sovereignty perfectly. Also, affective is the autobiographical "Fool with a Fancy Guitar"--here Peterson explains that without Christ empowering all he does, he's just a "fool with a fancy guitar." While the guitar-driven anthemic "The Reckoning" (though quite weak in its melody) is heart's cry to Christ's second coming in the face of suffering.
Peterson has not cast his sight so lofty that he does not deal with everyday relationships. The ethereal "Dancing in the Minefields" addresses the need to persevere in the midst of the ups and downs of a marital relationship. On the other hand, the average sounding "Planting Trees" speaks of the need to make a difference by investing in our people's lives. Perhaps, the major weakness of this CD is that Peterson has fallen into the same trap as many singer-songwriters. Some of the songs suffer from a lack of identity melodically, so a few songs tend to flow into each other. Other than this quibble, "Counting Stars" is a worshipful sonic experience that will get us to count the stars of God's blessings with repeated listening.
"If you step inside this great glass elevator it will take us up above the city lights" are the first words of invitation Peterson cordially issues at the start of this disc. "Counting Stars" is a ruminative sonic journey whereby Peterson offers us to take us to the top of life's tower and offers us a panoramic view of life. From the top, we are able to make sense of the intricacies of life and the things that matter to us and God. It's also from such height we are able to count the stars of God's blessings as Abraham did all those years ago in the Bible. And what makes this pilgrimage such an endearing one is that Peterson is a writer of the heart. With carefully crafted narratives, well-chosen images and scripturally informed messages, Peterson is never a soporific tour guide. This may also be attributive to the fact that Peterson is more than just a Contemporary Christian artist he's also a Christian writer of children and young adult books. Even the song titles like "The Magic Hour," "Fool with a Fancy Guitar" and "Dancing in the Minefields" are rifle with a C. S. Lewis-esque intrigue that makes you want to listen to them.
Sonically, Peterson holds his very own well. Instead of giving in to the cookie cutter and sounding like the next Steven Curtis Chapman or Caedmon's Call, Peterson has carved out his own niche. Unbounded by convention, Peterson would often experiment with rustic instruments (like the banjo) to the lush arrangements of strings. Yet, most of the time, he keeps things simple with a folk and country slant to most of the songs' execution. And such simplicity in arrangements in no ways dilutes the powerful messages of the songs. Case in point is the piano-led ballad "Many Roads." "Many Roads" is a fine illustration of Romans 8:28 whereby Peterson sings about how the various roads of our lives are not serendipitous but they are God-ordained. Gentle and soothing to the soul is "The Magic Hour" a worship hymn to God's creativity in creation packed with picturesque lyrics that is just adoringly sweet.
While many contemporary Christian artists are reticent to speak boldly about Scriptural truths, Peterson knows no such restraints. "In the Night" strings together the stories of the Bible whereby God interceded in the midst of the most trying times with the song culminating in the Cross. This is a magnificent epic that sums up the consistency of God's sovereignty perfectly. Also, affective is the autobiographical "Fool with a Fancy Guitar"--here Peterson explains that without Christ empowering all he does, he's just a "fool with a fancy guitar." While the guitar-driven anthemic "The Reckoning" (though quite weak in its melody) is heart's cry to Christ's second coming in the face of suffering.
Peterson has not cast his sight so lofty that he does not deal with everyday relationships. The ethereal "Dancing in the Minefields" addresses the need to persevere in the midst of the ups and downs of a marital relationship. On the other hand, the average sounding "Planting Trees" speaks of the need to make a difference by investing in our people's lives. Perhaps, the major weakness of this CD is that Peterson has fallen into the same trap as many singer-songwriters. Some of the songs suffer from a lack of identity melodically, so a few songs tend to flow into each other. Other than this quibble, "Counting Stars" is a worshipful sonic experience that will get us to count the stars of God's blessings with repeated listening.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
ALthough I'm not a fan of any god, nor of many of their followers, it doesn't mean I don't recognize beautiful music of people who believe otherwise. Peterson writes poetic lyrics, sings beautiful melodies and the sincereness of his words and voice makes it a joy to listen to.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By PaulH
Format:Audio CD
I can't get past being taken up in the Great Glass Elevator and being left there to enjoy the journey through thought and scene, place and time.
You are brought in closely to Andrew's marriage at the same time made to look at what you hold dear to your heart, to their kids at bedtime, then to a back seat of a van/car with all the young Square Pegs with their dreams and hopes full of expectation, to a ground level view of the woman caught in adultery and then to cry for the Lord Jesus' return. You are comforted by Andrew's admittance of his faults but yet still somehow given the promise of how God views you as one of His children.
This is a very intimate album both from Andrew's point of view and the tone of the music. It is traveling music for the heart, mind and soul.
I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO IT.
You are brought in closely to Andrew's marriage at the same time made to look at what you hold dear to your heart, to their kids at bedtime, then to a back seat of a van/car with all the young Square Pegs with their dreams and hopes full of expectation, to a ground level view of the woman caught in adultery and then to cry for the Lord Jesus' return. You are comforted by Andrew's admittance of his faults but yet still somehow given the promise of how God views you as one of His children.
This is a very intimate album both from Andrew's point of view and the tone of the music. It is traveling music for the heart, mind and soul.
I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO IT.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Album
After falling in love with Behold the Lamb, we purchased this CD and really love it. My whole family enjoys listening to it. Recommended.
Published 2 months ago by Everly Pleasant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Great
This album is definitely one of my all time favorites. "You Came So Close" is a very emotionally touching song. Read more
Published 3 months ago by C. Madison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure Music!
Without a doubt Andrew Peterson is one of the greatest song writers of out generation. It is too bad he is grossly underrated and hardly unknown. Read more
Published 4 months ago by E.M. Bravo
5.0 out of 5 stars
great listening
THis music has a more country blue grass tinge to it. I enjoy the lyrics and am glad to add this music to my collection.
Published 6 months ago by Vaughn Bender
5.0 out of 5 stars
great cd
Andrew Peterson is a poet, musician and a wonderful believer. These are poignant and inspiring songs that give glory to God and are a joy to hear.
Published 7 months ago by Hayward H. Chappell Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, haunting, and relaxing
This CD is played every single night in my nursery. I can't tell exactly what I love about this collection, but it seems to be a perfect collection of songs about marriage,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by beaglemama
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Music, Fabulous Artist
I bought this CD as a gift for a friend. She had seen Andrew perform one of his songs and loved it. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Jami
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this CD
I bought this for my brother and his wife (they are both pretty young) because the song "dancing in the minefields" totally reminded me of them. Love this CD!
Published 19 months ago by Michelle L. Hisey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Counting Stars...counting until the next CD
Loved this CD by Andrew Peterson! He is an incredible lyricist. The instrument work is also fabulous. Highly recommend this CD!
Published 21 months ago by golowjo
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent musician
I love Andrew Peterson's music. This CD is a continuation of his fabulous work and touching lyrics. Read more
Published on February 22, 2011 by captainkirk
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