Customer Reviews

Never Picture Perfect

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Nowhere in his legacy is there a more perfect example of the humility and power of Rich Mullin's songwriting. The subjects range from simple family life to larger issues of politics and war. Rich never fell into the trap being too dogmatic though...even when he takes on the world's governments in "While The Nations Rage" or when he lays bare his own and our shortcomings in "My One Thing."

Beautifully produced by Reed Arvin, this CD is akin to having a modern day book of Proverbs to pop in the player and listen to the wisdom of a man who loved God.

Rich Mullins' music grew out of a heart that earnestly sought to be God's. Rich saw them largely as Christian entertainment. Yet as Jesus said, we know a tree by its fruit--and much fruit has come from the music of this remarkable man. Never Picture Perfect contains some of Rich's greatest songs. "First Family" was a song Rich wrote for his Mom and Dad on their anniversary. If it does not move you, nothing will. "The Love of God" is possibly the greatest song Rich ever wrote. "Somewhere" and "Bound to Come Some Trouble" are also up there in the pantheon of Rich's songs. Rich Mullins made some remarkable CDs in his time. Never Picture Perfect is as good as any of them. The greatest thing I can think to say about Rich or this disc is that he, like his parents, "worked to give faith hands and feet--and somehow gave it wings."

This is my ultimate favorite of all my Christian albums. You never tire of the songs. They are rich in melody, and the lyrics are honest. I think this CD is a great way to remember a great artist who lived as he preached. I can say this because I went to his concert in Northern California, and saw first hand the humbleness of this praise leader. This CD will move you to tears and inspire you in times of sadness. Get it, it's so worth it.

I've found in the world of "Christian" music that people tend to "strain at gnats and swallow camels". There is nothing on this disc that I can't very highly recommend but I think my absolute favorite is "Higher Education and the Book of Love". This song is pure genius. It's scary kind of modular "Star Trek" oration that begins with a "what does it mean to be human?" This piece in and of itself is more than worth the price.

For those who love Mullins music, this is a MUST add. This is as fine a collection of music as any Master ever put together and Mullins was a Master Musician.

The students I work with love it! It is ageless and timeless, like the man himself. Breathtakingly good!

I use 2 have all Rich Mullens CD until i wore them out!!! Was so glad 2 renew my collection!!! This is one of my favorite CD!!

I almost left this album without buying it because it wasn't found in TOP100 CCM albums and AMG gave it only three stars. Why? This is such a classic album. I would say that this is Rich Mullins' second best album - right after "The World As Best As I Remember It Vol.1". (I haven't got still enough time to listen to Vol.2 yet). My favorite tracks are "Hope to Carry on", "While the Nations Rage", "Bound to Come Some Trouble", and "Alrightokuhhamen".

I love Rich Mullins' music, and even now, 12 years after his death, still miss the wonderful music he used to make. This album is wonderful - personal songs (Eli and Let Mercy Lead both made me think that Rich had settled down, married and had children, he sings with so much empathy and love), songs that help us relate as regular human beings to the love of God. Definitely, he's leading choirs in heaven - too bad for us he got to go there so soon!

If you like Rich Mullins and don't have this album, your music collection is incomplete! The lyrics are extraordinary yet down to earth. Beautiful yet honest. They always point you to Christ and leave you with a little bit more hope than you had before.

"Somewhere amidst these ins and these outs, there's a fine line of purpose I follow even now. Through the haze of despair that confuses and hurts us I look to see that You're there; and I run toward Your light "... Rich Mullins sings these lines on the song "Somewhere," which is the tenth track on this remarkable recording. Each song on this disc expresses some aspect of God's light shining down upon us in our everyday lives.

I'll be right up front and tell you that I love all of Rich Mullins' CDs. He is my favorite singer/songwriter type of guy. Now that we've established that fact, let me tell you why you should get a copy of this album...

The songs. Never Picture Perfect is FILLED with good songs. From the opening rendition of the hymn "I Will Sing" to the reprise of "Love the of God" Each of these songs are individually worthy of multiple-nay, repeated listenings (although "The Book of Love" really, really, doesn't fit in sonically). Besides the afore mentioned "Somewhere," three songs really strike me as being particularly great.

The first is "Hope to Carry On." It describes the change that the Love of God brings about in the world. As Rich says in the song: "Love could make a beggar rich, He could set a prisoner free. I know He could do it for you-God knows He did it for me." The most moving part of the song for me is when Rich talks about love causing Peter to put away his sword. This strikes a cord in my life because I am the kind of person who is all too often ready to go to war over every little thing...Yet Jesus has called us to something much higher. Or, as Rich so skillfully notes: "Love has come-and He's given me hope to carry on."

The second song that blows me away is "First Family." It is awesome just from the standpoint of being a nearly perfectly written song. It is a song about Rich's own family that he wrote for his Mom and Dad's anniversary. It has caused me to take personal stock of the family God has blessed me with.

My favorite song on "Never Picture Perfect" is "The Love of God." It is truly a GREAT song. I give this CD my highest recommendation-and leave you with the words of the last verse of "The Love of God"--may they take root in your soul:

"Joy and sorrow are this ocean and in their every ebb and flow-now the Lord a door has opened that all Hell could never close. Here I'm tested and made worthy, tossed about but lifted up in the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God."

I have every one of his albums, I admit. But if you can only buy one or two, you should probably start with this one. The songs are so powerful and true.

This is the album that has meant the most to me out of all of them...I made it through some difficult times singing in tears to, "Bound to Come Some Trouble." "Hope to Carry On" still picks me up everytime I listen. This music has a way of touching you where you hurt and helping you heal. I don't know of another artist who does this without resorting to cliches or sickening sweetness. These songs remind me of God's love and truth that will always sustain.

What means a lot to me is that Rich didn't cover up poor musical abilities with "God-lyrics." He combined amazing talent and skill with powerful poetry and gave us beauty.