Customer Reviews

Signs of Life

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I originally bought this cd for the song "Free", but it didn't take too long to fall in love with other songs like "Lord of the Dance","Signs of Life"and "Land of Opportunity"! Steven always chooses the best songs to end with. "Hold on to Jesus" always continues to minister to me. This cd not only inspired me to take up learning the guitar, but has also introduced me to the best Christian music artist around!!

One of the best Christian albums I've ever heard, "Signs of Life" does a great job of combining pop, folk, rock, and even some blues into an enjoyable listen. Acoustic pop rock is the groundwork for the record, shining in such songs as the upbeat hit "Let Us Pray", the semi-urgent "Lord of the Dance", and the pleasant title track, (the lush harmonies on the final chorus are fantastic!). Elsewhere, "The Walk" throws a little blues influence in, with it's guiding chorus and Micah 6:8 reference. Two of the more thoughtful songs are the prison-inspired anthem "Free" and the delicate closing song, (and my personal favorite), "Hold on to Jesus". There are also some fine rockers like "Children of the Burning Heart" and "Only Natural" to pick the album's pace up a bit. All in all, this collection is a superb offering from one of Christian music's most popular artists.

Chapman makes a break with longtime producer Phil Naish in favor of Brown Bannister (White Heart, Amy Grant) and it seems the new combo focused a LOT of attention on making his musical backing more layered and interesting. Chapman himself also steps up to the plate a lot more, handling all the backing vocals, doing some electric picking for a change, and adding lots of "exotic" instrumentation personally (dobros,slides,mandolin,lap steel).

Lyrically, he takes some chances as well, using some unusual metaphors to get across his message (the alien theme in the title track, race cars for "Rubber Meets the Road",dancing for our life in general in "Lord of the Dance") that make this some of his most original writing yet. It landed 4 top 10 Christian radio hits: "Lord of the Dance" (#2),"Signs of Life" (#2),"Let Us Pray" (#5) and "Free" (#9).

HIGHLIGHTS:
"Lord of the Dance" gets things off to a great start. For the first time, Chapman's tunes feel loose and vibrant with an actual GROOVE to them musically. It's BLUEGRASS pop if you can imagine that...the fiddle and dobro play important parts in the arrangement though it's way too electric to be anywhere near NickelCreek territory. The song celebrates God's role in guiding our destinies. ("I move my feet, I go through the motions/But He gives purpose to chance/I am the dancer/He is the Lord of the dance") In contrast to another review here, the vocal scatting by Chapman lends to the vibe and the song would LOSE impact if that were just replaced by another guitar or something similar. It adds spice. The title track finds Chapman in the shoes of an alien, wondering about the significance of the lives of these Earthlings it's examining. ("Where are the signs,where are the signs of life/The love that proves there is a beating heart inside?") Shane Keister's Rhodes adds a somewhat jazzy touch to the song. Chapman takes a decent electric solo on this one. "The Walk" finds SCC sneaking a touch of acoustic blues into a nice shuffle tempo. The message (follow God with your actions not just your mouth) isn't a new one, but it's done with convincing swagger. The "do justly,love mercy/Walk humbly with your God" bridge is particularly tasty. "Let Us Pray" is probably the hookiest anthem to intercession ever. See if you don't find yourself singing "Let us pray, let us pray/Every moment of the day" after 1 or 2 hearings. "What I Would Say" is a rare introspective moment from Chapman, as he imagines how he'd have related to his late alcoholic grandfather he never got to know. ("I would say I wish I could have known you/And I would say I wish you would've stayed/But most of all I would say I forgive you") SCC uses a nice falsetto I didn't know he possessed at times here, and the strings are beautifully restrained..never manipulative (as has been the case at times on past Chapman outings). "Hold On to Jesus" harks back to Chapman's more acoustic roots and is beautiful in its simplicity.

LOWS:
"Free" isn't bad, but some changes would make it a stronger song. It takes a little too long to build. (The first and 2nd verse and chorus don't have a lot of "kick"..it doesn't really blossom until the "And if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed" bridge) and it goes on far too long at nearly 7 minutes. I would still keep the nice coda (with Chapman's phased vocal over the jazzy piano) but eliminate at least 2 minutes earlier in the tune to tighten up the song.

BOTTOM LINE:
This CD features so much of Chapman's singing, playing and writing (all but 3 completely self-penned) that it serves as a great way to decide if you like him or not. If you're just beginning to check him out, this is probably a great place to start.

Steven Curtis Chapman is one of Christian music's most popular and best selling artists, but even the best grow stale after a while. While HEAVEN IN THE REAL WORLD was a very good CD, it lacked some of the punch and clarity of Chapman's earlier efforts. SIGNS OF LIFE was released with much ado about the 'reinvention' of Chapman's music, and it played true to the hype. "Lord of the Dance" is an opening knockout, and "Children of the Burning Heart" and "Let Us Pray" are both catchy, driving songs with outstanding hooks and great lyrics. Chapman sang the majority of the backup vocals on this CD, and the vocal layering is really intense at times, giving excellent depth to the songs on the album. There really isn't a stinker in the bunch, and Christians and non-Christians alike should be very pleased with the musical qualities of this CD, which is not always the case with contemporary Christian music. But then again, this is Steven Curtis Chapman, and dedicated fans have come to expect nothing less.

With each new release, Steven Curtis Chapman expands his ability to express passion through his music. More and more he moves beyond the soft, contemplative, predictable songs of his early career and ventures into stronger lyrics and more soulful music. He hasn't quite hit his peak yet, but the growth is really starting to show.

Edgier songs include Lord of the Dance, The Walk and Rubber Meets the Road, songs that challenge with their lyrics and motivate with their music. Some softer but equally good tunes include the moving Free and inspiring Let Us Pray. Most of the rest seem to hover in the vanilla zone, not bad but not outstanding either.

Again, if I had rated this back in 1996, I probably would have given it 5 stars. Knowing how far along Chapman has progressed, and the level of his ability that this album represents, I give it a strong four.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

This Cd is one of Steven Curtis Chapman's greatest other than Speechless. I would strongly recommend this wonderful album to anybody and everbody.

In this Cd SCC reflects on life and how God has a part and should be part of it. He kindly reminds us that with the compassion and concern of Christians, we can change the world. Around us. Get this one, you won't regret it.

My first SCC CD was Speechless, and I absolutely loved it! But then I got this CD, and it blew me away!! Most CD's I get I listen too for awhile and then not again. But this CD has never left my CD player!! All the songs are so beautiful and upbeat and very heartfelt!

I was so used to listening to Michael W. Smith that I wouldn't give any other contemporary christian music artists a chance. One day I finally gave in when my parents bought my brother Steven Curtis Chapman's 'Sign of Life' CD. I think anyone who likes Michael W. Smith's music would like Steven Curtis Chapman's. They have nearly the same music style (I personally think...). My personal favorite is the song 'Free' it is a slower song (which I normally dislike), but the lyrics touched me. It's about how "God's love has taken off our chains and given us these wings" (those are part of the actual lyrics). So if you like Smitty, I encourage you to try Steven Curtis Chapman. You don't want to scratch your precious MWS CDs because you use them so much now do ya?

Who can say this CD is not great!!!??? I absolutely love this CD!!!! And usually you don't expect that from old CD's, not that its really THAT old! I read a review where someone said that this CD did not take them further in their Christian walk. I am here to tell you, "Ha!" Sometimes I can't even get past the first song! Steven is a wonderful singer, and so upbeat! It makes you happy to listen to him!

At least, the best of his CDs that I've heard thus far. Every song on this CD is excellent, but my favorites are "Lord of the Dance", "Free", and "Let Us Pray". However, my all-time favorite SCC song is and always will be "I Will Be Here". God gave SCC a great gift in music and we are all blessed to hear it and enjoy it!