Customer Reviews

Love Out Loud

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

 

 

As a huge fan of Jaci Velasquez, I could never say I am disappointed by any of her releases. But this album left me feeling that it doesn't reach her potential. My favorite Jaci album is her debut, Heavenly Place, and with each new release I hope that it's as wonderful as her first album. But unfortunately it never is.

Many of the songs on Love Out Loud aren't bad at all- catchy melodies, smooth beats, and passable lyrics. But it sounds like Jaci is trying too hard to be a pop star rather than relax and rely on her amazing talent. The latin-infused rhythms in "Tango" are fun and exciting, but it seems like she is just straining to be mainstream.

I love the fact that Jaci doesn't restrict herself to one single genre or style, but I do wish we could get even a taste of those indescribable soaring ballads from her original release, like "On My Knees" and "Flower in the Rain". Or even "Imagine Me Without You" from Crystal Clear and "Look What Love Has Done" and "Speak for Me" from her self-titled album. The lyrics alone on those songs are incredibly moving.

Overall, this album is a great addition to any Jaci fan's collection. But it doesn't bring much new to the table compared to her previous releases.

I own all of Jaci's cd's and think they all are great she has a great voice, and great message and this CD is no dissapountment another classic and uplifting entertaining CD if you loke Jaci's other CD's this one will not dissapoint you a must have for anyones collection.

Prime Cuts: Por Escrito, Tango, Jesus (The Way)

Velasquez took a cataclysmal detour with her previous CD "Beauty Has Grace." In a keening attempt to abridge to the younger audience, the songs on "Beauty Has Grace" were a desperate attempt on hard rock in the veins of Barlowgirl and Plumb that totally stripped Velazquez from her individuality and heritage. Naturally, radio saw through the pablum and the album tanked without any hits. After being subsequently being dropped by her major label followed by a divorce and a re-marriage, "Love Out Loud" is her first CD under her self-owned Apostrophe Records. And for this 13th CD in her luminous career, Velasquez has learnt her lesson well. Hence, she has returned to her mother milk of vintage pop with its share of balladry that first nursed her to fame. Re-uniting with Mark Heimermann, the man who was helmed her first three CDs, there's a déjà vu feel to her earlier albums. However, despite a throw's back to yesteryear, Velasquez has opted to pen most of the songs here herself with Heimermann.

For those who have utilized Velasquez's ballads as church solo performances, "Jesus (The Way)" is a future candidate. Though not as ear grabbing as "Imagine Me without You" or "On My Knees,""Jesus (The Way)"is an understated worship ballad of self-surrender. Boasting a stately performance by Velasquez, she simmers in a quiet way with verve for the Lord. Going back to her Spanish roots and sharing the vocal spotlight with new hubby Nic Gonzales, "Por Escrito" is beautiful love ballad that is even made more amorous with the strumming of the Spanish guitar. Using the complementary steps of a dance as a metaphor of the give-and-take of marriage relationship, the relational "Tango" is not a delightful to the ears. But its message has moral repercussions for every couple. While the undeserving nature of true love (be it romantic or divine) is celebrated on the mid-tempo "A Likely Story" that may not have the lush of her trademark ballads but it's still refreshing to listen to.

However, not everything turns on the right direction. The first three tracks are your obligatory pop numbers that are by no means ropey. Yet, there's nothing that really stands out. The title cut, "Love Out Loud" though it expresses a much needed to hear message of living out our faith is let down by its average melody. "Weightless" as the title suggests is a feather light in terms of its melody. Despite its lofty message of resting in God's care, the song just drifts aimlessly from note to note. While "Into the Light Again" may find a re-charged Velasquez on a rock entry reminisce of Plumb or even Pat Benatar, there's nothing that rises above its screeching guitars.

Direction wise, it's good to see Velasquez return to her trademark form. However, material wise, she may do a little better with a Cindy Morgan or maybe Chris Eaton cut or two. If you have been enthralled by her stellar back catalog, this will disappoint. Nevertheless, the ballads are still worth a listen.

I have been a fan of Christian singer Jaci Velasquez since her 1996 debut "Heavenly place" (released when she was 16). She's been one of the best selling Christian artists of the last decade.

Her last album, 2006's "Beauty from grace", saw her moving in an edgier, British-influenced Alternative direction, and was my favourite of her albums. However, it appears most of her fans and Christian radio stations didn't feel the same way I did and gave the album a wide berth.

The result? She returns to her earlier, poppier, ballad heavy beginnings, with increased songwriting input from Jaci. Opening cut "Nothing but sky" is a driving rocker with a great riff. Very catchy and nice. Unfortunately, after that, things rarely ever rise beyond a tepid pace. Still, other outstanding songs are the tender ballad "Jesus (the way)", the rather epic almost symphonic song of worship "My Alleluija" (piano, sweeping strings and an angelic choir), and the Latin tinged pair of "Tango" (which does as it says on the tin and makes you Tango) and the acoustic "Por Escrito" (a duet in Spanish with her husband Nic Gonzales of the band Salvador).

Title track "Love out loud" finds her exorting us to "be His hands, be His feet, be the people we are called to be" (our love should be visible, in other words), and closing is the lovely, guitar ballad "Into the light". The ballads "It's not you, it's me", "Weightless", and "A likely story" complete the album. They are not bad, but only increase the feeling of ballad-heaviness.

I have to confess, I prefer all her other studio albums to this. Still, this is a great CD and I'm glad I got it.

If you didn't know the words, you would think this is bad rock-n-roll. The continued argument of "Christian music with a rock beat to reach young people" is a bad attempt of "doing evil that good may come" and fails miserably for me. IF Jaci must insist on producing such albums, how about backing off the driving rock beatm and mix the voice track a bit louder (I refer to tracks like track 1) I would take one hymn like "Amazing Grace" to all of this noise.

Although Beauty has grace, is one of the best christian albums, but this cd is very good. She has matured, evolved, and a singer who has a message Love is one of the most powerful thing in the world if you let it enter your life, you'll change forever.

I am giving this album 4 stars because I think every song is solid and has a special message. Altogether, that may equal a 5 star album, but there are a couple of songs I skip over. The songs are more mid to slow tempo, but thats just Jaci's style and her delivery is still achingly beautiful. Here's a run-down:

1. Nothing But Sky - "Its clear, what doesn't kill you makes you strong." You can tell she's been through it and she tells us that despite the past, there's nothing but sky in front of her. Its a freeing song, it makes me feel like there are endless possibilities waiting to be experienced and taken advantage of. Mid-tempo.

2. It's Not You It's Me - "Hold on! I would miss you so much...don't go over something so little." She says in the record booklet that this song was dedicated to her father and their once estranged relationship. This song is amazing...she takes the responsibility on herself to take the step forward in a positive direction. Its a selfless song, despite the title. I love the way Jaci sings it, you can feel ALL of the emotions in her voice. Mid-tempo, but it fills a room.

3. Love Out Loud - "That touch...is loving more than words. Its living out for all to see the light that shines through me." This song right away reminded me off "Show You Love" lyrically and "Crystal Clear" melodically. It talks about loving out loud, being a representation of Christ to those seeking love. Mid-to-Slow tempo

4. Jesus (The Way) - "You direct the path that seems astray...assuring us that we will find You." Amazing lyrics. This has to be the most strong song on the entire album, lyrically. Its an out-right, honest and genuine adoration of Christ the Savior. My fave part of the song is how Jaci sings "Your mercies new everyday"; she has a slight lilt to the word "new". You'll know what I'm talking about when you hear it. Slow-tempo

5. Alleluia - "Hear my prayer when my words fail." Wow. She prays that the Lord will hear her deepest prayers through this song. The bridge is beautiful when you hear the swooning, "oooooh". A worship song. A simple yet spot on and poignant plea to the Father to understand us where we are at. Slow-tempo


6. Weightless - "A sea of tears my shame has made...I'm soaring high above. ...Your mercy has come, I am weightless." This song captures the feelings of being completely free in the mercy of our only heavenly Father, the Most High. No more bogged down, heavy feeling on our shoulders, just free. Not a fan of the melody, but I do love the lyrics. Mid-tempo

7. A Likely Story - "Don't tell me a likely story. 'Cause no one like you could love someone like me." MY FAVORITE SONG OF THE WHOLE CD. The reason: her voice, the background vocals and the melody and especially, especially, esPECIALLY the chorus. Its so simplistically beautiful and airy. She's fighting the love that's awaiting her from her beloved, her husband Nick Gonzales. She can't believe a love like this is possible for her. At first I thought the song was about Christ (which I would have loved more ;)) but not according to her description. Nonetheless, its a "Cinderalla fate" type-song that takes your heart and breath away. Slow-temmpo

8. Tango - "We'll find the rhythm if we meet halfway..."I only like the bridge in this song. It sounds like a Ricky Martin song with less appeal...and I like Ricky Martin. I will say, it is a fun song, but I'm sure more thought could've been put into the musical production of it. The "Tango" is the dance of marriage and all that comes with it. Sometimes you have to be a little passionate and let the feelings come out...Its all for the best in the end. Mid-Tempo

10. Por Escrito - I don't speak Espanol, lo siento, so I can't review the lyrical content of the song. I will say Jaci and Nick's voices are beautiful together. I usually skip over it, not because its in Espanol (me encanta la idioma) but it doesn't enrapture me or pull me in. Slow tempo

11. Into the Light Again - "Paralyzed in comfort by the venom from your shame...come out, come out, get out of your grey's...back into the light again." I do love this song, from the melody to the lyrics. Its time to come back to the light even if you've been gone. The clouds are breaking, the sun is shining, G-d's arms are open, the Savior is calling us and the light of His love is warm and comforting. I always listen to this song in the summer with the windows rolled down and the wind blowing. Its just that kind of song. Mid-tempo

Growing up, Jaci Velasquez was my favorite Christian singer. She was and still is easy to love, the proof being in this album. I have fallen off her bandwagon for a while, and I am looking forward to buying "Beauty Has Grace" after listening to this album. I bought "Love Out Loud" for my 13 year old neice for her birthday, but it seems like I am getting the most out of it at this time.

after reading the other reviews i felt compelled to write this. i actually thought this was one of her better albums. i definitely liked it better than "beauty has grace". judge for yourself. to be honest, i liked it as much, if not moreso, than "unspoken".

This is in fact the most perfect work from this talented singer!!! Don't think twice and buy it for Christmas!! She deserves 5 stars for this album, which brings a more urban and rockier side of her musical style, although not leaving apart the sweetness sound of her voice.