Customer Reviews

Take Over

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

 

 

I'm not great at writing reviews but I had to say something about this album. Just got this in the mail yesterday and I'm loving it. Had enjoyed what I had heard before its release (via the songs on his web site and his YouTube "leaks") but it's good to hear the whole thing in its entirety. In the liner notes he talks about how it was his most collaborative album to date, but nothing jumps out as "out of place" on this album (though the "pick the Brandon Heath-penned tune" game is an easy one. ;-). A great mix of songs and the refreshingly sparse arrangements really complement his voice well.

The lyrics are meaningful and from the heart, the music is solid. I don't think I can pick a favorite song yet. I know the 4 songs that were pre-released on the web site have all had their turn getting stuck in my head.

Another note: I've been one to buy mp3 albums with greater frequency lately, but I bought the physical CD for this one, and I'm glad I did. The liner notes from the CD are substantial, with Aaron offering up journals for each song on the CD. I'd highly recommend the "physical media" for this particular album.

Best New Artist of 2006 Aaron Shust returns with his 3rd album, "Take Over" on 8/4/09. The writer and singer of hit songs "My Savior My God", "Give Me Words To Speak" and "Watch Over Me" once again has written songs of praise and worship set to a nice soft rock musical style. Fans of Bebo Norman, Jeremy Riddle, Jeremy Camp and John Waller should enjoy this album. Aaron has a deep voice and sincere singing style that for me best compares to Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers.

Opening song "To God Alone" is my favorite song on the album. The song has an uplifting message captured in the chorus: "To God alone be the Glory, To God alone be the praise, Everything I say and do, Let be all for You, The Glory is Yours alone, Yours alone". I can imagine singing "To God Alone" in worship with fellow believers. The song has already made an impact on Christian radio charts and if you like Aaron's previous hit songs of worship, then you'll also enjoy this song and album. "Come And Save Us" is my next favorite on the album and is the most rocking song ever by Aaron and reminded me of Jeremy Camp's hit song "Speaking Louder Than Before".

"Take Over" continues with more signature style songs by Aaron including "Forevermore" with very biblical lyrics and a personal calling out to God in faithfulness. The words are inspired by Isaiah 46:9-10. The title song is another standout song for me and reflects my own desire to trust in God completely with the convicting lyrics "I surrender all I have, And I surrender all I am, As I remember what You've done to set me free". "Take Over" is a song I keep coming back to on this very solid album.

The album includes several more songs of personal worship which struck me, especially "Rest In The Arms" and "Still You Love Me". I especially love the confession in "Still You Love Me" where Aaron praises God for His grace and mercy for still loving us while we are still sinners. "You see everything I do, And still You love me". The album is filled with messages of hope, confession and worship to our Great God and Savior.

This is my favorite overall album by Dove Award winning artist Aaron Shust. For me, the standout songs are "To God Alone", "Come And Save Us", "Take Over" and "Still You Love Me". If you liked previous hit songs by Aaron Shust, then you'll enjoy "Take Over".

I own 2 of his albums but TAKE OVER in my humble opinion is his BEST so far. I have heard all of his albums so I can honestly say that. I can feel the Holy Spirit moving through his Music. I can say that I do not feel that way about all Christian artists. But Aaron Shust is a one-of-a-kind worship leader. His voice is original and his music doesn't sound like U2 like many Praise and Worship artists do, in my opinion of course. This is his best album to date and I have become a fan because of this CD. God Bless Aaron Shust!

I have always loved Aaron Shusts' music but his was the first album I had bought by him. At first the music seemed less inspiring than 'Anything Worth Saying' or Whispered and shouted had been but I found the more I listened to it the more I came to like the songs. "To God Alone'really starts the album out well and many other songs I love too. 'Forevermore' , 'Carry Me Home' and 'Take Over' just to name a few. I was really surprised at the number of songs I hadn't heard before, this album is very underrated in my opinion. He mentions God frequently unlike many other 'Christian'bands do. His music is inspired from the Bible and is very worshipful in my opinion. I think Aaron Shust has reached a great balance between the worshipful and entertaining to listen to. If you get this CD I can guarantee you will enjoy it.

His music and lyrics are fantastic. I can't recommend this album enough. If you have a chance to see Aaron in concert go see him. If you like listening to the album at home you'll like it that much more when seeing him in person. More importantly, he seems to be a wonderful person and very humble!

Can't wait for the next set of songs.

It is always nice to have music that you can listen to and feel good about. I love the beat and lyrics on all the songs.

Since I've felt that Aaron Shust's first two releases were uneven, I wasn't sure what I would think of his latest release. I've been listening to it for a few days now, and I've got to say I love it.

Since Aaron is also a music pastor at a church, there is a high focus on worship songs. But they aren't always corporate worship songs, but more songs of individual worship. Some would certainly work in both settings. For example, disc opener "To God Alone" could easily become a worship song in contemporary church services. But the lyrics are actually a personal prayer to be used by God and give Him the glory no matter what. Think of it as a contemporary "Take My Life."

Really, I guess most of these songs would work in a corporate worship setting. Even so, "Live to Lose" and "Still You Love Me" seem very personal songs. I especially love the second one as it takes its themes from the reminder that God knows all our faults in Psalm 139, one of my favorite Psalms.

Most of the disc is the soft rock/pop that we've come to expect from Aaron. He changes things up enough to make the disc interesting to listen to. It's all piano and guitar based.

The big exception to that is "Come and Save Us." This is a driving rock song with screaming guitar. And I can't get enough of it.

"Stars Will Fall" is an interesting take on the familiar theme of God's power. The verses actually talk about times of struggle with little to no hope. But the chorus reminds us of the incredible power of the name of Jesus.

An early favorite is "Rest in the Arms." It's a simple melody with a powerful reminder that we can always depend on God.

But my favorite song on the disc by far is "Ever After." It's an upbeat pop song written from a parent to his or her child telling him that happy endings and Never Never Land aren't real. It doesn't come out and talk about God and Heaven, but it hints that our happy ending comes after this life. I absolutely love this song.

Ironically, the only song I'm not crazy about is the title song. "Take Over" is a great song of surrender, but the melody is too repetitive and boring.

If you don't normally buy physical discs any more, I highly recommend you make an exception for this one. The booklet that comes with it include some extensive thoughts on each song from Aaron and are well worth having.

All told, this is my favorite release from Aaron. I know I'll be enjoying it for a long time to come.

I imagine the first impulse most will have is comparing "Take Over" to the two previous Aaron Shust offerings. I suppose that is fair to some extent; however I won't dissect it here. But, I think the important word from above is "offerings". With "Take Over" Aaron Shust is offering up more rich praise and worship to the King and we are simply fortunate enough to share in Aaron's love for his Savior. Aaron's music is engaging and his lyrics are Biblically sound. If you have bought Aaron's previous offerings, you have got to have this one too. If he is new to you, you owe it to yourself to let Aaron's latest offering bring you into the presence of God.

probably my favorite album so far. i like more songs on this one then the previous albums

Item got to in a very good time. Haven't yet listen to it but Aaron Shust is always amazing. I recommend two thumbs up.