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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Musician Working to Always Stay True to God, March 11, 2008
Roots has its ups and downs. Overall, I highly enjoyed it, but I don't believe it contains quite the same level of raw passion as his earlier albums. Shawn McDonald strays, dare I say, to sounding like N'Sync in the song Time, to a Baptist convention in Shadowlands and finally we get some of himself (which is all we really wanted) in Wash Me Clean. Wash Me Clean is my favorite song in the album, definitely give it a listen. Next best are Captivated, Clarity, Roots, Time, Winter and Greed, all very good songs. Though pleasant, Light and Waltz in 3 did little to move me. Winter, on the other hand, is emotionally moving, but the tempo is just so slow it is hard to stick with it, unless you set it as background music and then it's great. The fake vinyl crackle in Slow Down doesn't help the lifeless lyrics in that song. On another note, the Glockenspiel in Roots is very characteristic of Shawn's endeavor (or that of his producers) to branch out of the basic drums, guitar and bass; it perks you up and pulls you in. I also really enjoyed the strings in Captivated and the piano in Winter, two classes of instruments which work very well with Shawn's voice.
Shawn McDonald reaches success when he reveals his true heart by detailed example. He fails when he gets preachy and generalized. I expected a little more from this album, as he's been known to flawlessly show us his heart in EVERY song. I know that's asking a lot, but I only ask so much because that is his reputation. However, I can say that I really enjoyed Roots and think it an overall success for him. I'll never get tired of hearing about his heart and his relationship with God, and I'm thankful for all the times he's opened himself up so deeply to us listeners--something which few musicians do often--and which when he does, he does so very well.
However, I must ask: where did the songs like Open Me, Have You Ever and Take This Life disappear to? Roots doesn't match the same level of raw passion of his earlier albums (except for Wash Me Clean and Captivated) --that passion where he'd yell into the microphone and it was only him and God... no producers... no fans... just him and God. That moment in Take This Life where his voice struggled to reach the note on the words "take" and "change," but even so, it was utter perfection because of his connection to the words. When Shawn really feels it, he has a tonal inflection to his voice which says "I'm telling the truth," more than any of his lyrics can. Roots has some of that, but not to the same extreme.
Fans who've visited Shawn's Myspace page know that he took a break from music, delaying the release of Roots, to spend some time with his family. All I can say is: way to go! I think that choice was incredibly noble, smart and an amazing example to all of us. What if Shawn could really dig into his heart (as he's know for) and tell us about his family in his next album or single? Maybe that's too personal, but what if he was able to sing that out in the manner he did in Open Me and Take This Life? If he continues to be true to himself and God, as he has been, he will continue to be something rare in the music world.
Roots is excellent; many of the songs I've listed above are, IMO, its real strength. Also check out his earlier albums Ripen and Simply Nothing--they have a way of working their way into your heart and staying there for listen after listen. Sync it with you iPod or Mp3 player, sit back, close your eyes and listen in awe as his connection with God becomes as much a part of you as it is for him. This is the real value of his music.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sadly disappointing, March 17, 2008
I was so disappointed overall... I was so excited when I bought it but upon listening to it, it was missing the usual Shawn fervor and passion... The majority of the songs are just slow and lifeless with a few exceptions being more upbeat and challenging. Alot of the songs were also not very deep or challenging like his music in the past...
Sadly to say, but his first and second albums were so much better than this one...
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creative like................, March 12, 2008
Shawn, you music is inspiring and uplifting. This new album is your 6th album, Focal Point actually your first that everyone should know about and should be re released. This album though a little different than the previous ones, but none the less beautiful than the others. Your creativity shows you have grown spiritually and personnaly. The Creation of earth shows many creative wonders of God's heart and finger tips, and your music style is right on point, creative, personal, unique, full of emotion, love, and Genuine. Who ever buys this album will not be dissappointed. God Bless
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by William P. Young
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