Customer Reviews

Declaration

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's amazing. Steven Curtis Chapman continues to improve with each CD. Exceeding "Speechless," this CD is a sonic wonder filled with everything from simple compositions ("When Love Takes You In") to electronic game boy sounds ("See The Glory") to beatlesque tunes ("This Day") to rock ("Jesus Is Life")to full blown orchestral ballads ("Savior"). This one has a bit of everything, yet it holds together well. The real improvement is in the lyrics, though. They are thoughtful, Biblically based, and yet full of great hooks for singing along. There's inspiration here, too (if "Bring It On" doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet!). As always, the production and engineering are as good, or better, than anything you will ever hear on the popular music market. Yes, by all means, purchase it and enjoy it as you play it to death.

At a time when groups seem to sound the same album after album, Steven Curtis Chapman continues to grow and change his sound. Beyond the music, which ranges from a gentle piano solo, "Love Takes You In" to the driving "Wake Up(Gameboy)", there is such honesty in his words. "God is God" continues the journey started in SCC's last album "Speechless", dealing with the issue of life's pain and why things happen. In a later rousing song SCC says that if trouble is going to make him strong then "Bring It On". In light of recent tradegies it seems fitting that Steven Curtis Chapman should write the song "No Greater Love" dealing with the spritual truth that "there is no greater love than this...to be willing to die so another may live".

Although the album leans more toward a hard rock feel than previous albums there is a variety of styles. "Declaration of Dependence" starts with a fun catchy feel and SCC overhearing the conversation of a flower with the sky. "Jesus Is Life" has an 80 esque rolicky feel.

Sonically and lyrically "Declaration" is a winner.

I have been a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman's music since the early 90's. He has never failed to entertain and challenge me with his music, and this CD is no exception.

The CD opens with the driving song "Live Out Loud." This song, like several of his past songs, takes a current pop culture hit and uses it to make a point about Christianity. And it's fun.

From there, the project hits many more high notes. "No Greater Love" is a magnificent song inspired by the classic story told in "Through Gates of Splendor." Be sure to read the notes on that song.

My favorite songs are right next to each other. "God is God" tackles the pain we experience in life and reaches the same conclusion Job did - I don't understand God's way, but He is God so I need to trust Him. "See the Glory," the "Gameboy" song, is another fun song reminding us to stop looking at what's going on around us and remember who God is.

Looking back over the list, there are only one or two songs I don't like, and they're continuing to grow on me.

I have had this CD playing almost constantly since I got it. It's fun, yet manages to tackle some serious subjects in a mature way. I highly recommend it for any Steven Curtis Chapman fan.

Well, Steven Curtis Chapman has done it again! This is another great cd! he starts it out with the enthusiastic, high-energy "Live Out Loud." This song is just about living your life for God, and not being afraid to show it. My favorite on the cd is a beautiful slower song "When Love Takes You In" about adoption, but also about how God takes us into His family. He also throws in some fun songs like "Bring It On" and "Jesus Is Life." Bring It On incorporates GameBoy noises, but also has a neat message. "Carry You To Jesus" is another pretty song about a friend who is trying to help someone through a hard time.

I would definitely recommend this cd to anyone who likes Steven Curtis Chapman's music. A great cd for everyone to have!

I have been following this gifted singer/songwriter since his "For the Sake of the Call" days, so I was very excited to get this new release! Steven has such a way with words - his lyrics run the gamut from humorous and clever (Live Out Loud) to simple yet profound (Carry You To Jesus and Savior).

At first listen, I think I like this album better than "Speechless", which is saying a lot! If you have Christian radio in your area, no doubt you've heard the radio single "Live Out Loud." This song starts like this:

Imagine this...I get a phone call from Regis
He says, "Do you want to be a millionaire?"
They put me on the show and I win with two lifelines to spare
Now picture this...I act like nothing ever happened
And bury all the money in a coffee can
Well, I've been given more than Regis ever gave away
I was a dead man who was called to come out of my grave
And I think it's time for makin' some noise...

Wake the neighbors, get the word out
Come on...crank up the music...climb a mountain and shouto
This is life we've been given made to be lived out
So la la la la live out loud.
Live out loud.

This CD grabs you with this song, but what you'll find is a range of marvelous new songs, all very meaningful. I really appreciate SCC including Bible verse references for each song in the liner notes.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the album was the song "No Greater Love". When you first hear it, you might wonder if they patched in some weird ancient chanting from a different world and time! It turns out that one of the Auca Indians from Ecuador who killed the 5 missionaries back in 1956 is the person chanting at the end of this song! This man, Mincaye, and many of his tribe, have become believers in the same Jesus Christ that Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and 3 other men came to Ecuador to tell them about! In the lyrics of Steven's song, you'll hear a "beyond the gates of splendor", referring to the book "Through Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot. If you haven't read this book, be sure to order a copy from Amazon, along with "Shadow of the Almighty" and "The Savage My Kinsman", to get the whole picture. Mincaye's "praise song" which he chants is translated for us and you can read the English words in the liner notes.

Probably my two favorite songs on this CD are the last two - "Carry You to Jesus" and "Savior". "Carry You to Jesus" starts like this:

I will not pretend to feel the pain you're going through
I know I cannot comprehend the hurt you've known
And I used to think it mattered if I understood
but now I just don't know

Well, I'll admit sometimes I still wish I knew what to say
And I keep looking for a way to fix it all
But we know we're at the mercy of God's higher ways
And our ways are so small
But I will carry you to Jesus
He is everything you need
I will carry you to Jesus on my knees.

I find this song to be extremely relevant given the tragedy of September 11th. I'm sure this song will give much encouragement.

"Savior" is a beautiful piece with lush orchestration. At the end, the orchestral section reminds me a lot of the Prelude to "The Great Adventure", which came out back in 1992!

Steven and his wife Mary Beth adopted a little girl from China named Shaohannah and at the time of the 9/11/01 tragedy, they were in Washington DC to accept an "Angels in Adoption" award in front of the US Congress on Wednesday, 9/12. After the plane hit the pentagon, Steven and Mary Beth and Shaohannah were able to get out of the city in a rented car and return home to Nashville.

You won't be disappointed with Steven's latest release!

Just when you thought he couldn't get any better, Steven Curtis Chapman picks up right where he left off from "Speechless" and rolls out another superb album. This is also another very diversified album, featuring both fast and slow songs. Once again, every song is excellent in its own way. Here's a quick run-through of each song:

"Live Out Loud": A terrific, fast hard rock song, with a chorus as catchy as "Dive" and a lyric that reminds us why we worship.
"This Day": This is a very moving song, a prayer for faith to be able to accept whatever tomorrow has to offer.
"Jesus is Life": Another fun fast song. I consider it to be a bit more of a kid's song than the others.
"No Greater Love": This slow song tells the story of five missionaries who lost their lives on a mission in Ecuador. Features heart-wrenching lyrics and a wonderfully interposed South American chant in the end.
"God is God": This song describes a feeling of subordination towards God. It somehow reminds me of "Great Expectations" from the "Speechless" album.
"See the Glory": This song is unlike anything I've heard from SCC before, with its Game Boy sound effects and hard rock beat. It also presents a thoughtful message on how to treat God's gift for us.
"Bring It On": This hard rock song talks about being able to accept pain that will bring you closer to God. I love the part with the piano playing!
"When Love Takes You In": A very slow and quiet song, dedicated to SCC's adopted daughter. A great song, but a bit of a misfit on this CD.
"Magnificent Obsession": A powerful, passionate worship song. It's sure to be one of SCC's greatest hits ever!
"Declaration of Dependence": A fun and bouncy worship song, with an addictive "cha-cha-cha" beat. Sort of reminds me of "Whatever" from "Speechless".
"God Follower": Tells the story of a South American tribe of feared people who came to be believers. A very inspiring song.
"Carry You To Jesus": As close to a post-9/11 song as they get. This song also reminds me of "With Hope"; in fact, it may very well have been a continuation of that song.
"Savior": A poignant, worshipful cry to the heavens. Like "Be Still and Know", but louder and less subdued.

As great as this CD is, however, this album is different from his previous albums in many ways. This album was released after SCC temporarily lost his singing voice, and many of the songs express a feeling of pain, i.e. "This Day", "Magnificent Obsession", "God is God", "Bring it On", and "Savior". Thus feelings of turmoil are a recurring theme in this CD, although the CD does have some happy moments too, i.e. "Live Out Loud", "Jesus Is Life", and "Declaration of Dependence".

I'll also warn you that this CD is ...loud.... It seems as though this CD is definitely for the new generation--it features a lot more techno than his other albums. Even the slow songs have loud moments (except "When Love Takes You In", the only song on the CD with absolutely no loud parts).

So although this CD is excellent, it is a little different from the other SCC's out there. There aren't any love songs on this CD, which is too bad since I feel that SCC has written some of the sweetest love songs I've ever heard. However, I have recently attended one of SCC's concerts, and I am pleased to inform you that his next CD, which will be released in January, has a theme of love and features many songs dedicated to his wife. I look forward to its release with eager anticipation!

Great CD!!. Of course I haven't found one of his that isn't.
You have the upbeat songs of "Life Out Loud", & "Jesus is Life"
To the mellow ones like "No Greater Love" & "When Love Takes
You In" & "Carry You to Jesus".
There are more upbeat songs than mellow ones on this CD than others.
Just roll down the car windows and enjoy the ride!
Steven: Thank you for another wonderful work of art!
My rating of each song:
1. Live out Loud: 5 stars
2. This Day: 5 stars
3. Jesus is Life: 5 stars
4. No Greater Love: 5 stars
5. God is God: 5 stars
6. See the Glory: 5 stars (My personal favorite)
7. Bring it on: 4 stars
8. When Love takes you in: 4 stars
9. Magnificent Obsession: 5 stars
10. Declaration of Dependece: 4.5 stars
11. God Follower: 4.5 stars
12. Carry you to Jesus: 4 stars
13. Savior: 3.5 stars

I never thought I would say this, but I love songs that touch my heart, and a little on the gentle side. That is why I really like "Love Takes You In", "Magnificent Obsession", and "Save Me" on this CD, and I know the more I listen to them, my appreciation will grow even deeper. I also know that I will be glad I bought this CD, just for those songs.
I'm of the generation, that was weaned on Eric Clapton, Hendrix, and the like. I have a 1966 Fender Telecaster, that I bought new back then, similar to the one he has on the face of the CD. Great guitar.
I feel I have a responsibility to comment that if you are not into todays younger music, you are not going to appreciate the rest of the CD. If you are into todays younger music, then you will love the whole CD.
The early songs on this CD, which generally speaking, have a lot of performers in them, have a recording quality to them, that is reminiscent of a boxy, early sound. I know from recording, that once you add 50 different microphones to a cut, you are getting 50 more people in, but you also get 50 times the noise. It is a recording basic.
I never thought I would be writing anything less than the highest praise, when it comes to him, but this is the first time I have mixed emotions.
I'm a devout SCC fan. I have turned so many people on to him. I see people a month later, they grab my arm, and say, "That is all I listen to any more." He is that great.
If your gently moving up in the years as I am, you will appreciate all of SCCs earlier CD's, and another one of his recent (1999) CD's called Speechless, all the more. I just bought all three of these CD's with "The Music of Christmas" being the third.
I listened to Speechless just once so far, and know I will be wearing out a CD player, playing that one, again and again.
I have all of SCCs CD's, and he really is a shining Dove in a sea of confusion.

I have a special edition two-disc set, so I'm reviewing each seperate disc:

DISC ONE: DECLARATION
Steven Curtis Chapman is in my opinion the greatest singer on the face of this planet, and he continues to to inspire me through times like this. Thie new CD features some great work. Kicking off with the rousing LIVE OUT LOUDE, Chapman once again weaves a tapestry of deeply meaningful and spiritual lyrics accompanying very powerful background music. I was deeply moved by the songs NO GREATER LOVE, GOD IS GOD, and MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION. The rest of the album is very solid, and makes this an exceptional album. It's not as good as his last album, SPEECHLESS, but it's awesome in it's own right. Buy it, and enjoy it. Grade: A+

DISC TWO: BONUS DVD VIDEO
The bonus DVD Video features the music videos to Chapman's songs DIVE, NOT HOME YET, and LORD OF THE DANCE. Each video features an optional commentary track by Chapman himself. A great bonus if you're able to find it. Great sound quality, and picture perfect. Grade: A+

I've been a SCC fan ever since For the Sake of the Call. I've watched the way his music has gone from steady contemporary to the faster rock based cd Declaration and it's safe to say that one thing hasn't changed, the impact of God on this man's life. Steven Curtis writes from the heart and bases the music on truths from Scripture. Just look at the lyrics sheet in the cd and you'll verses he used in the writing of these songs. Some of the verses are outright quoted in the lyrics of the song as well. That is my favorite thing about SCC. He doesn't make room for musical expression at the expense of God focused lyrics. The Lord has blessed him tremendously for this and SCC will be the first to admit it.