Love & War & The Sea In Between

Josh Garrels | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 15, 2011
• Label: Small Voice
• Copyright: 2011 Josh Garrels
• Total Length: 1:06:07
• Genres:
  • Dance & DJ > Electronica
  • Folk > Contemporary Folk
  • Miscellaneous
• ASIN: B0053R4I80
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,287 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)
  • #12 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Folk > Contemporary Folk
  • #74 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Dance & DJ > Electronica

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars FREE from Josh's website until around June 2012. Fantastic and infinitely replayable July 29, 2011

By Jason Meyer

Format:MP3 Music

This album has revived me in so many ways, I can't put them all into words. I was completely amazed at "Farther Along" as I was just expecting a gentle "cover" of a familiar song.
Then with "The Resistance", I immediately thought, "This isn't my kind of music." as it had too much of a hip-hop, rap feel that I've never found to be enjoyable to listen to. And yet, after repeated listenings (and taking my finger off choosing the tracks, and letting the album unfold in the order given), thankfully my mind was opened.

There is not a bad song on this album. By this, I mean that after a few listens you may not want to skip any songs as they all have their place.

"White Owl" - still remains a riddle I try to figure out and then give up and enjoy. It's almost as if it's telling the listener that what is to be found in the following Sea will require some effort to mine it for all that is contains.
"Flood Waters" - it was here that I knew I would really give the entire album a chance, as I enjoyed the gentle acoustic guitar foundations that seem to swim around.
"Farther Along" - close your eyes, get in a quiet place, don't be alarmed when the beat changes, give the entire thing a chance, and let the tears flow down the cheeks.
"A Far-Off Hope" - calming instrumental leading the way into the quite different landscape of...
"The Resistance" - I was entirely opposed to this song with my first listen. I skipped it so many times before giving it a chance. Now it's entirely essential.
"Slip Away" - The entrance into a somber portion of the album. This song is convicting and as long as you still have breathe in your lungs, you will find it seems to say just what you've never been able to say.
"Sailor's Waltz" - instrumental where the title says it all.... It slowly builds up and I think it acts as a bridge from the darkness of "Slip Away" the island in the center of this entire beast to...
"Ulysses" - With the background of Homer's Odyssey, this amazing tale manages walk the fine line of love to another person to love to the Creator of all things. With this, the somber, slower, portion of this Sea is left behind for the radiance of...
"Beyond the Blue" - This and "Farther Along" are the ones that I present to people when I ask them, "You ever hear of Josh Garrels?".
"For You" - very gentle and deceivingly simple sounding.
"Million Miles" - yet another song I was initially turned off to upon first listen. It just seemed too rough after so many comforting acoustic guitars swaying for the previous songs. Now I recognize it for what it is: A different style than what I would choose, but completely welcome and pleasing to these ears and this heart.
"Bread & Wine" - this soft acoustic gem seems to always get lost in my recollection of this album, and yet it's a shame if it were to get buried among its louder neighbors.
"No Man's Land" - instrumental. Upon repeated listenings, you'll hear this one as what accompanies you into the desert where there will be much to witness in the next few songs.
"Rise" - this anthem, this psalm, it just screams to be tattooed on our chests as we stand. It is bold and you will find unable to sit still with it's claims.
"Revelator" - this dream of what's to be revealed whisps through the air and should be essential listening to any study of what's reported that John saw as he spent time on the island. This song managed to both instill hope in this weary soul as well as scare me with the reminder of what the Lord is really capable of.
"Pilot Me" - this bounces as we're making our way back out of the album. With repeated listenings, this acts as kind of a sad farewell, similar to seeing that loved one board that plane and, while knowing you'll see them again, you still have to go through that Goodbye.
"Processional" - instrumental with some soaring vocals. The album has said what it needed to say. I guess Josh said what he needed to say, and the Spirit spoke through him and has accomplished this final task. This song will end, but you have it set to "repeat" anyway, so back to "White Owl".

Check out Josh's website and support him please, rather than purchasing his songs through here. It's dark out there in the music world and of course in the World itself. What actually gets exposed to the general masses as what is actually representative of what Jesus had to say is pretty sad at times. It would do a lot of good if these tunes found their way into some playlists or car rides with a co-worker or summer evenings of just hanging out with friends. We all really need to hear this stuff and be daily reminded of the Truth. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Short of Astounding September 1, 2011

By Zach M. Sevela

Format:MP3 Music

I'm not even quite sure what to say. The essence behind all of the tracks on this CD is so powerful, contains such depth, such REALness, such life, mysticism, intelligent philosophy and love that every time I listen to the whole CD or a single song I'm moved. This music transports me to the eternal truth of God's love, but not in an obvious way. It also dives directly into the simple facts and truths of this human journey, which helps me to relate to Mr. Garrels personally. Each individual track contains it's own unique message and character. Each track on this album has a unique artistic flavor, which keeps my attention- there are not many CDs that are able to consistently hold my attention throughout the entire album- plus there's 18 songs! Some songs are purely instrumental and are still just as captivating. The beats in the songs are funky, forward, grabby, and catchy. What other words could I come up with to describe what this CD has conveyed to me? Tender, compassionate, REAL, honest, driving, individualistic, eternal ancient truth, remembrance, straightforward, uplifting, teaching, humbling sincerety...I'm simply not able to completely convey the essence of the whole CD into words. Listen to it yourself- the entire album straight through if possible. It just does not get much better than this, for me. Bless Mr. Garrels for bringing realness and intelligence, and even some mysticism into "Christian" music. (For the record I wouldn't really categorize this CD as Christian, but rather epic truth philosophy with flavors of the Son)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Best Discovery of 2012 December 17, 2012

By Daisy Darcy

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

As forefront music now-a-days seems to depend on auto-tune and singers who need other people to write their lyrics for them, Josh Garrels came to me like a fresh breeze. He's a musician, he's an artist, he's a writer, he's a singer. On this album, every song belongs to him excpet for the hymn he brings to life. His lyrics are rich, they strike deep, they make me want to linger on them. On paper, they could be poems, each so carefully constructed, each lyric flowing into the other so effortlessly.

Garrels' music refreshes, revitalizes, and challenges.

My husband stumbled upon Garrels earlier this year, and we both were instantly fascinated by him. The sound of his voice, so unique and instantly recognizable on the radio, stands out among a sea of artists who all sound the same, who all sing the same kind of lyrics over and over. Garrels doesn't hide his faith; this is a CD based on his love for Jesus Christ, and his songs reflect the freedom, redemption, and hardships a human faces throughout life. They are the very essence of a man striving for something more in life, to not be satisfied by earthly things or desires, but to find the connection between the created and the Creator.

The music is haunting, ethereal, and like nothing else I have ever heard. He gives the instruments their own voices, their own stories, and they somehow connect to us.

I cannot say anything more upstanding about him; here is sheer talent, here is someone who is glorifying something greater than himself, who has his finger on the very pulse of humanity and that shines through his lyrics and music.

For that, he is my best discovery of 2012.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Music - I Can't Wear it Out! September 20, 2012

By Michael D

Format:Audio CD

I downloaded this album when Josh Garrels was giving it away free for a year (which tells you something out of the ordinary is going on here!). All 18 songs are uniquely different and the sound is fresh. I come back to this music over and over and it never fails to pick me up and take me on a journey. Another reviewer said this music grows on you and this is definitely true. It seems to have a life of its own. Finely crafted songs that will not disappoint. Check out joshgarrels.com.