Customer Reviews

She Must and Shall Go Free

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is truly one of the best music CDs I have ever heard. That's saying a lot, considering that I'm not a big fan of folk and country music. However, I was absolutely sucked into this CD, and I still listen to it frequently several months after I bought it.

This isn't for the faint of heart or the "casual Christian." If you're like me, you'll find yourself indicted by Derek's blunt and forceful lyrics. His thesis--the unfaithfulness of the Church to Christ, her bridegroom--is one we are all familiar with to some extent.

There are so many good songs on this album that it's difficult to decide where the highlights are. "Lover" strikes me as having the best lyrics on the album; sung from Jesus' perspective, it expresses His love and devotion for His Bride. "Wedding Dress" confesses the adultery of the Church and of each of us in our walk with God; it is also intended as a criticism of the materialist doctrine taught in The Prayer of Jabez ("With one hand in a pot of gold / And with the other in Your side"). Derek does not appreciate the belief that whe should expect God to bless us--by God's saving grace, have we not already broken through to the blessed life? "Beloved" is a plea from Christ that His people follow Him and not be deceived by "salesmen and thieves." "The Church" is a response to those who would reject fellowship with other believers because of the church's hypocrisy; Derek argues that those who love Christ must also love His Bride.

There are certainly other excellent songs on this CD. Those who are concerned with the idolatry and spiritual adultery of the western church will be relieved to see that a stand is being taken against these practices. And if (like me) you love good theology in music, you will be delighted to find that Derek does not "dumb down" his songs but rather keeps them sharp and penetrating, straight from God's precious Word.

This album contains a message that everyone needs to hear. I recommend it highly for all Christians who are willing to take an honest look at the strength and focus of their faith.

"She Must and Shall Go Free" is a superb debut solo album from former Caedmon's Call singer/songwriter/guitarist Derek Webb.
It comes once in a blue moon when an artist releases an album that hits home lyrically and musically. "She Must and Shall Go Free" is such an album.
In a sense, this CD could be considered a concept album not in a progressive-rock sense but in a lyrical sense. Nearly every song on the album serves as a wake-up call to the Church and to bring it back to what it truly is, God's Temple. This theme is most apparent is the title track as well as "Take To The World", the controversial "Wedding Dress" and the closing track "The Church".
Musically, the album is close to the older style of Caedmon's Call (ie: the "40 Acres" album). Derek fuses a delightful mix of folk, rock and country influences and the overall sound is very much acoustic-based. Comparisons to Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter Paul and Mary immediately come to mind only this music has a slightly harder edge. There is even a hint of the late Rich Mullins' style in this music. All of it is very well-performed and arranged. Each track has enough hooks to bring a smile to anyone's face (even on the more serious pieces).
Guests on the album include Sara Groves, all members of Jars Of Clay, Phil Madiera and Caedmon's Call drummer Garett Buell.
This is a great solo debut from an extremely gifted singer/songwriter. Derek Webb's future as a solo artist looks very promising. "She Must and Shall Go Free" is one of my top 10 Christian albums for 2003. Listen to it and it'll probably become one of yours as well. Highly Recommended!!

Webb, formerly of Caedmon's Call, paints a dichotomous picture of the Church in his solo debut, "She Must and Shall Go Free." In it, he portrays her as both an unfaithful wife and as the beautiful, radiant bride of Christ.

While most of the album is styled in the familiar folksy tone of Caedmon's Call, he sometimes diverges into different sounds (the bluesy, Dylanesque "Nothing (Without You)," or the bluegrass-like "Crooked Deep Down," for example). The result is a truly beautiful work, both lyrically and musically, born out of Derek Webb's love for the Church.

Some overly-sensitive Christians may shy away from this album, as it contains some strong lyrics here and there (e.g.: referring to the Church as "a harlot and a whore"), but Webb writes and sings from his convictions and his heart . . . not from a "How To Not Offend Christians" manual. If you can handle realism and honesty in your "Christian" music, then give this a listen. If not, then look elsewhere.

Simply put, this is the sort of honest self introspection the Church needs today. Webb highlights the me-first attitude and other problems in the Western, American Church today, but he does so while leaving himself open. In an interview he spoke of music that "cuts you to your knees" while understanding that the artist is being cut to his knees as well. Webb has spoken of himself as one of the many people who are frustrated with the Church, but then turns around and tells us that we must love Church, because Christ did, and died for her. It is one of the most powerful CDs I've ever listened to.

Former guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of Caedmon's Call, Derek Webb has embarked on a mission to wake up the Bride of Christ, show her the rags she wears, and open her eyes to the Groom who loves her still. Generally speaking, he succeeds admirably.

The album opens with a personal statement, "Nobody Loves Me", a sort of "damn the torpedoes" declaration of Webb's purpose in writing this album. A number of songs, such as "Nothing (Without You)", "Wedding Dress", "Saint and Sinner", and "Crooked Deep Down" lament the church's duplicity and adultery in this day and age. Others, such as "Lover" and "Beloved", speak of Jesus' love for the church despite its problems. "Take to the World" and "Awake My Soul" proffer the proper focus for the church's gaze. Lastly, "The Church" takes one last look at Christ and His relationship to His Bride.

Lyrically, the songs are all top-notch. Most are penned by Derek Webb himself, including playful and sassy "Nothing (Without You)", plaintive yet uplifting "Lover", confessional "Wedding Dress", and "Beloved", that breaks the heart with the blow of just two words. "Take to the World" is a nice song by Aaron Tate, former songwriter for Caedmon's Call. Written by Sandra McCracken, Webb's wife, "Awake My Soul" is perhaps the finest wrought song on the album and merits inclusion in worship services; this rendition is at least as good as that on Caedmon Call's "Back Home" album--maybe even better.

Musically, the album is eclectic: folk, country, snippets of world music, hymn tunes, and some old-timey styles I can't name. The music seems timeless with its use of banjo, accordion, and cello. There's no showmanship, no fancy solos; all is subordinated to the message. Despite the different styles, it all works together to hammer the lyrics home.

My only criticism is that the album sometimes seems more like a collection of songs than the concept album it's meant to be. Finely bracketed by "Nobody Loves Me" and "The Church", the other songs don't seem to follow a clear narrative order. The album's message would have been stronger if indicting songs "Saint and Sinner" and "Crooked Deep Down" had been placed between "She Must and Shall Go Free" and "Nothing (Without You). "Take to the World" seems out of place as song #3, near where the indictment of the church begins; it might have been more effective between "Beloved" and "The Church". Given that the indicting songs are more uptempo than the redemptive songs, I suspect the songs' order reflects a desire to maintain musical interest. This is a minor criticism, given that a progression from problems to solutions might have been too hard going--Webb doesn't mince words in his indictments, and his redemptive songs aren't all sweetness and light, either. (As he puts it, the truth is "not an easy sell.")

This album is highly recommended for its thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful message and engaging music. Be warned, though: what you see in the mirror of this album may not please you, but you will be better for the seeing.

Oh, the depths and heights that describe the Church. Derek does a brilliant job of bringing the two sides of that coin out in songs like "Saint and Sinner", "Wedding Dress", and "Take to the World."

This music sounds more like Caedmon's of old (My Calm//Your Storm), but with a distinctly Derek sound. His live concerts are wonderful, as well, with his stories, and wonderful style.

This is a hard-hitting album, lyrically, that has the potential to offend some, and radically change, for the better, many's view of the Church, and what she was, is, and can be.

It took me awhile to make the connection, but it's there -- in the voice, in the lyrics, in the attitude. Derek Webb is Bob Dylan -- not literally, of course, but his spirit permeates this disk like water does a sponge. These are protest songs that strip away the veneer of gloss and wash away the honey-coated character of much of what passes these days for Contemporary Christian Music. While a couple of songs could probably be sung in the context of worship, I doubt if most congregations would actually dig on singing "...I am a whore I do confess, put you on like a wedding dress, and run down the aisle..." or even "...no one is good enough to save themselves..." As Derek says, "Truth is never sexy" -- especially True Truth presented in a straightforward way. The tunes are indeed catchy, the production is clean, the arrangements are imaginative, and the mood is one of self-examination and challenge. No Christian elevator music here. Just good stuff that will keep the brain engaged and focused -- and just maybe (gasp!) cause Christians to consider their life in a different light. Thanks, Dylan, er, I mean Derek!

Former guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of Caedmon's Call, Derek Webb has embarked on a mission to wake up the Bride of Christ, show her the rags she wears, and open her eyes to the Groom who loves her still. Generally speaking, he succeeds admirably.

The album opens with a personal statement, "Nobody Loves Me", a sort of "damn the torpedoes" declaration of Webb's purpose in writing this album. A number of songs, such as "Nothing (Without You)", "Wedding Dress", "Saint and Sinner", and "Crooked Deep Down" lament the church's duplicity and adultery in this day and age. Others, such as "Lover" and "Beloved", speak of Jesus' love for the church despite its problems. "Take to the World" and "Awake My Soul" proffer the proper focus for the church's gaze. Lastly, "The Church" takes one last look at Christ and His relationship to His Bride.

Lyrically, the songs are all top-notch. Most are penned by Derek Webb himself, including playful and sassy "Nothing (Without You)", plaintive yet uplifting "Lover", confessional "Wedding Dress", and "Beloved", that breaks the heart with the blow of just two words. "Take to the World" is a nice song by Aaron Tate, former songwriter for Caedmon's Call. Written by Sandra McCracken, Webb's wife, "Awake My Soul" is perhaps the finest wrought song on the album and merits inclusion in worship services; this rendition is at least as good as that on Caedmon Call's "Back Home" album--maybe even better.

Musically, the album is eclectic: folk, country, snippets of world music, hymn tunes, and some old-timey styles I can't name. The music seems timeless with its use of banjo, accordion, and cello. There's no showmanship, no fancy solos; all is subordinated to the message. Despite the different styles, it all works together to hammer the lyrics home.

My only criticism is that the album sometimes seems more like a collection of songs than the concept album it's meant to be. Finely bracketed by "Nobody Loves Me" and "The Church", the other songs don't seem to follow a clear narrative order. The album's message would have been stronger if indicting songs "Saint and Sinner" and "Crooked Deep Down" had been placed between "She Must and Shall Go Free" and "Nothing (Without You). "Take to the World" seems out of place as song #3, near where the indictment of the church begins; it might have been more effective between "Beloved" and "The Church". Given that the indicting songs are more uptempo than the redemptive songs, I suspect the songs' order reflects a desire to maintain musical interest. This is a minor criticism, given that a progression from problems to solutions might have been too hard going--Webb doesn't mince words in his indictments, and his redemptive songs aren't all sweetness and light, either. (As he puts it, the truth is "not an easy sell.")

This album is highly recommended for its thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful message and engaging music. Be warned, though: what you see in the mirror of this album may not please you, but you will be better for the seeing.

I had doubts about this album since I felt that Caedmon's Call had been slipping for a while but I immediately recanted of that nonsense when I heard this album. This is a soulful album with a fire that I haven't heard since Andrw Peterson's Carried Along. The recurring theme of the bride is so beuatifully done. This is good because I feel that iamges like that are many times over-used by musicians. It's nice to be able to say that music with a Christ-centered mesage does not have to be lame.

Derek Webb is an artist on a mission with She Must& Shall Go Free. His desire is to confront the church with its own mediocrity. His song Wedding Dress says it all. "I am a whore i do confess, I put you on just like a wedding dress, and I run down the aisle. I'm a prodigal with no way home, I put you on just like a ring of gold, and I run down the aisle."

Derek isn't afraid to get in the church's face. To challenge them to look within. This album will have you asking, Who do I really live for? and Where do I draw my lines with my God?

His songs also bring the timeless message of God's love and forgiveness. Empowering, contemplative, and catchy at the same time, Derek Webb's music is a hit.