The House You're Building

Audrey Assad | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B003N6DAX2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,937 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2010 debut album from the Christian singer/songwriter. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter stepped into the spotlight with The House You're Building, produced by Marshall Altman. Released in the summer of 2010 to critical and artistic acclaim, Assad's fresh sound was named among the best of 2010 from Relevant Magazine, Rhapsody.com, Gospel Music Channel online and more and was even profiled on CNN Online.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

173 of 179 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary, the start of something very BIG! September 4, 2010

By brendanstallard

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been an atheist for more years than I care to remember, although I've never had anything against sincere faith of most natures, most of it turns me off with the ear bashing they tend to give others.

Christian Rock, for me, tends to fall into this category, along with its mostly saccharine vile vulgarity, I wouldn't give it house room, no, street room.

I got the track, "The House You're Building" as a freebie, so I gave it a listen. While I could see it was Christian Music, it was too good sounding to delete, and I found myself clicking, and clicking again. LOL, like a guilty secret, or chocolate at the back of the fridge. Had to buy the album, didn't I?

So, I eventually bought the blessed thing, and a blessed thing is it. I'm not ever going to be a convert, but if more Christians went around with the plain, simple beautiful sentiment that runs through every line of this gorgeous record, there would be fewer people outside than in.

Every track is good, personal favourites are THYB, and "Restless", but then, young Audrey finishes off the album with maybe the most beautiful conjoinment of words and music I've heard for thirty years. The simply stunning, "Show Me" is music of the very highest order, and sung like an angel. The words would melt the heart of the hardest rude boy, the timing of the singing is pluperfect and the musicality of the voice peerless.

The search for spirituality within the words and music are as universal as the muezzin calling the holy to prayer, it is that powerful. To my ears, more beautiful.

That all this is done by a youngster of 27 is just mind blowing. My word, we are going to be hearing more of Audrey Assad.

Yeah, and crusty old atheist me will be first in line to buy the record....

This is a brilliant, brilliant album, on any level. The playing and the singing is superb, the music is great and the words are surely something that would make anyone stop and think for a bit.

brendan Read more ›

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Audrey Assad [The House You're Building] September 28, 2010

By Kevin Davis TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Singer/songwriter Audrey Assad, originally from New Jersey and most recently Florida, weaves her captivating voice into a thread of contemplative yet accessible music and lyrics on her debut release The House You're Building, released on July 13th. Individualistic. A free spirit. Untraditional. In junior high those labels are a death sentence. In adulthood, they usually describe people the rest of us wish we could be - creative, intriguing people like Audrey Assad. Truly one-of-a-kind, this intensely honest singer-songwriter is carving out her own unique path in the music industry and opening hearts to God along the way. She's passionate about songwriting as well. She also penned one song on her own and shares a co-writing credit with producer Marshall Altman. "The record is about faith. It's about the cross and fear and pain and how God is carrying me even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it," Audrey explains. "Marshall pulled things out of me emotionally that I don't think I'd ever accessed, making me realize that every time I sing these songs, I have to channel my pain and walk through it."

"For Love of You," the album's first single, was inspired by the Gerard Manley Hopkins poem "As Kingfishers Catch Fire" and is one of my favorite songs on the album. There's no struggling or wrestling, it's simply a celebration of the idea that there are traces of God everywhere. "The House You're Building" is arguably the album's most personal song. Written with Ben Glover, the tune finds Audrey comparing herself to a broken, misshapen stone. "It's about being a misfit, of not feeling fit to be a Christian, but then realizing that the walls of God's house are being built from oddly-shaped and misfit stones," she says. "He does that on purpose so I know I have a place.... There's a hole in the wall that I fit perfectly in." "Restless" was written with Matt Maher, and comes from the confession of Augustine. If there's any song I have that's relevant to this generation it's this one. We are so restless and transient and spread across so many social networks. Our relationships have increased in numbers and decreased in depth. Each generation has something that reveals the restlessness of the human heart, and I think this transience does that for our generation; it serves a purpose. My restlessness actually addresses that need. It's a reminder that God should be my first source. "Carry Me" has prayerful and very emotional lyrics, "As I carry this cross, You carry me". "Known" has very vulnerable lyrics "As a lover knows his beloved's heart / All the shapes and curves of her even in the dark."

CLOSING THOUGHTS
Audrey has a phenomenal singing voice which reminds me of the top female vocalists in the business, Brooke (Fraser) Ligertwood, Christy Nockels and Adie, which is amazing company in my opinion. "For Love of You," "The House You're Building," "Restless," "Carry Me" and "Known" are all stand-out songs on this album, which is one of my top albums of 2010. I expect multiple GMA nominations for new artist and female vocalist for Audrey Assad, my choice for top new artist of the year. I haven't heard an album that has struck me like this album since Albertine by Brooke Fraser. If you like that album, you need to get The House You're Building. Read more ›

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely AMAZING! July 24, 2010

By Monagui3

Format:Audio CD

Every single song is perfect. From the lyrics, to Audrey's beautiful voice, to the actual music itself. Well thought-out and meaningful music that is sure to keep you entertained and striving for a better relationship with God for a time to come.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful! June 27, 2011

By TSV7

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Yes, even a Godless heathen such as myself can recognize beautiful, moving music when I have the good fortune to hear it. I listen to a very wide variety of music and I love, love, love good female vocals. Audrey is absolutely amazing. Her range, her tonal quality, her timing... all impeccable.While I don't subscribe to formal religion, I do believe that each and every living soul has the inherent right to believe as they wish and seek out whatever makes them feel happy and fulfilled in this very limited time we have on earth.OK, enough of that. This album is well recorded if a tad over-produced.But honestly, it's all about Audrey's voice and song-writing that, for me, lift this CD way up above so many other artists out there today.I purchased this CD a few weeks ago and can't seem to get enough of it... of her. So pure, and clean, and emotionally impactful. While I love each of the songs, I am especially taken by the last cut... just Audrey, her piano, and a touch of harmonic voicing... gorgeous!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemplative Lyrics, Great Voice, Catchy Melodies May 17, 2011

By Trisha Niermeyer Potter

Format:Audio CD

I've been playing and singing along with The House You're Building practically non-stop when I've been in the car since our favorite brother in Christ introduced me to the album and artist a couple weeks ago. For a number of years, I've found that I'm deeply moved by music that is well-written, contains a Christian message, and is beautifully performed. Assad's first album which debuted last summer fits all three of those qualities which describe most of my favorite music.

This singer/songwriter combines contemplative lyrics with magnificent melodies to produce songs that will make you think, sing aloud, and thereby pray twice to the Lord. Assad's Pop/Contemporary style and voice are appealing to me because both seem to carry with them a depth reminiscent of those who have actually tried to live out the Christian virtues, sometimes successfully, other times not, but with a commitment that is steadfast.

For me, one of the marks of a masterfully done musical endeavor is that I find the lyrics popping into my mind during my personal prayer time, in Church, during Mass, and elsewhere. I know a song has resonated deeply with me when the words become part of my prayers because they fit so perfectly with what I'm experiencing and feeling in relation to God and those He's placed in my life to love, learn from, and serve. This has happened a number of times with the songs from The House You're Building.

Many of the songs include blends of different quotes from Scripture. Others remind me of the Biblical values espoused by certain saints.... For example, whenever I hear, "Restless," I always think of Saint Augustine who was clear that until we are in full communion with and therefore resting in the Lord, we will be restless.

"Everything is Yours" is definitely one song that has stuck with me and been a good reminder for me. "If everything is Yours, I'm letting it go...It was never mine to hold" are the lyrics that replay in my mind when I find myself holding too tightly to a person or situation that clearly belongs to the Lord (in short, everyone and every one).

I highly recommend The House You're Building by Audrey Assad. To listen to some song samples or purchase your own copy, click The House You're Building. Read more ›