Empty & Beautiful

Matt Maher | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Essential
• ASIN: B0014BECEY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,180 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #26 in Music > Christian > Rock & Alternative

Editorial Reviews

Empty & Beautiful [CD] - A breakout recording for Matt MaherEmpty and Beautiful was a breakout recording from the biggest name in contemporary Catholic music. Sporting a luscious pop-rock sound -- and a cross-centered Gospel message -- these 12 songs will go far beyond his usual circle of fans.Balances edgy and delicate, corporate and introspectiveThe album balances edgy and delicate, corporate and introspective. It's an appropriate context considering the paradoxes Matt presents here. Besides the beauty of "emptiness," he invites us to see and embrace the hidden gifts in life's challenges: "this thorn in my side is a grace," he sings in the title track.Mesmerizing title track features lushly orchestrated stringsThat mesmerizing song opens with a sobering confession: "In this prison there's a fight between who I am and who I used to be." Backed by solo piano and lushly orchestrated strings, Matt sings of the solution: let Jesus "fight the fight in me," and die to self: "A libation, I'm pouring out, empty and beautiful." A rock ballad of epic proportionsAt six minutes long, "Unwavering" is a rock ballad of epic proportions. Based on the Beatitudes, it opens by affirming God's unwavering voice, hand, heart, will and plan. Eventually its gentle tone and leisurely pace give way to a muscular, electric wall of sound. The song closes with this prayer: "send us out to be your hands and feet."Builds to an amazing intensity then ends with a hush Echoing the album's central theme, "Lay It Down" speaks of the total -- not partial -- surrender Christ calls us to. Over the opening acoustic guitar, Matt sings, "Everything I am, everything I long to be, I lay it down at your feet." The song builds to an amazing intensity then ends with a hush.Hard-driving songs in praise of God's "absurdly" generous love"Like a Fool" is a kinetic song of praise for God's "absurdly" generous, unconditional love. Humorous and homey, it gives us permi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My New Favorite!, April 16, 2008

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Empty & Beautiful (Audio CD)

The Pauline epistles inspire the title track of Empty and Beautiful, written in advance of the declaration of the year dedicated to the ministry of St. Paul. "In life, we end up having to empty ourselves to achieve that which is beautiful," Matt says. "If you don't, you never really get made beautiful. It's a weird dichotomy, especially in the world we live in because there's so much focus on beauty. The whole idea of having to empty one's self to achieve beauty is completely counter cultural, but that's what happens-marriage, service of the poor, sharing the beauty of the gospel. That's what Christ calls us to do, and I hope these songs will help inspire people to follow Jesus in that way." The title song envisions not only St. Paul's imprisonment and salvation, but also our personal liberation through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This moving anthem, beautifully arranged and produced, typifies Matt's artistry: songs that sound great and showcase lyrics that have the ability to change lives.

Some of my personal favorites on Empty and Beautiful include "Great Things", a twenty-first century recounting of the Magnificat with the slightest hint of a country twinge and "As It Is In Heaven", the sole non-Maher produced track on the CD. "As It Is In Heaven", produced by Ed Cash, gives brilliant testimony to a God who is Father of us all. Maher fans will be thrilled with the inclusion of "Your Grace Is Enough" on this project. This Matt Maher fan favorite, which has become a worship industry standard, has never sounded better. Each of the twelve tracks that comprise Empty and Beautiful underscores Matt Maher's message that our hearts are truly empty without our God, who lovingly and faithfully calls us to lay down our lives in service of His Gospel and our neighbors.

Having had an opportunity to chat with Matt Maher in the midst of his hectic touring schedule was truly a grace-filled encounter for this mom. With his music and with a life led "practicing what he preaches", Matt is responding to the very call about which he sings. Matt emanates a humility and a deep spirituality that is touching and affirming. As a parent, I am thrilled to have CDs such as Empty and Beautiful to share with my family - great songs with a great message that you'll love as much as your kids do.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are new to Matt Maher..., April 9, 2008

By 

Cade_One "of The Perseverance Podcast" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Empty & Beautiful (Audio CD)

I realy like the songs "Maranatha" and "Leave A Light On"! The song "Your Grace is Enough" and some others on this album are actually re-recorded form previous albums.

I recommend Matt Maher's "Welcome to Life", "The End and The Beginning", and "Overflow" Albums as well. "Empty & Beautiful" is the first album on the Sony/Provident/Essential label!

God Bless.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So glad I came across this artist, May 30, 2008

By 

M. Park "Mom of 4 boys & a girl" (Manassas Park, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Empty & Beautiful (Audio CD)

Awesome, upbeat, Catholic rock music. The kids and I are jammin on the way to baseball practice each night to Matt Maher. It's great when you can find music to please everyone and even better when Daddy is on board with the music!