Customer Reviews

Thankful

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have reviewed the comments from other amazon critics for this debut album. All I have to say is to remove the Shackles off what is defined as gospel music. These sistas are young and attractive, and yes this is appealing to an aesthetics driven seculiar world. However, the message of gospel is real and heartfelt. This women can really sing and they are also quite innovative. They have updated classic hymns such as "What a Friend we have in Jesus" and "Wade in the Water" (if you have seen Alvin Ailey - it is the final dance performance)and done it well! I originally bought the CD for the single "Shackles" which is getting a lot of airplay for its uptempo, infectious chorus "I just wanna praise you", and tight harmonies. Other noteworthy cuts include "Still my Child" - letting listeners know that God is still our father, "Thankful" and "Can't Give up Now"- a theme of ongoing spirit and determination with faith that God is on our side. For those who said that it was not religious, you are right - it is a spiritual album. One can take what he/she needs from it. Nonetheless, Mary Mary has taken the shackles off of contemporary gospel music and will become a major driving force in the new millenium - trust me. Buy this album - I really recommend it whether you are looking a new tight CD or you want to have your spirit lifted.

We are not familiar with Christian music in Europe. Some of us might remember Amy Grant had one hit single somewhere in the 80's, but she was classified in 'pop' section, just like Mary Mary are classified in soul/r&b section. This is why I did not pay much attention to the lyrics when the single "Shackles - Praise you" went on heavy rotation on a certain Music TeleVision. I just liked the communicative happiness and energy irradiating through the rhythm and the voices. I couldn't help clapping hands, dancing and humming along.

The same feeling goes through the entire album, between upbeat songs (the title track, "Joy", "I sings", "I got it", "Somebody", "Good to me", "Wade in the water") and slower ballads ("What a friend", "Can't give up now", "Be happy", "One Minute", "Still my child"). The album gives a nice impression of style and rhythm variations and all the songs are uplifting, conveying Tina and Erica joyful assurance that life is worth living even through the hardest circumstances.

I must be honest, I am not spending much time pondering the lyrics - mainly praising God and thanking him for being there in every moment of human life, good or bad - because I am not particularly religious. But if I wake up in a 'ready to bite' mood, I only have to play that album in the car to start my working day smiling and in a much friendlier mood... which make it much more agreeable for my colleagues and I. Shouldn't it be the purpose of a musician? Make sure your day has become a little bit brighter by listening to his songs? It works for me since I bought the album one year ago. I am confident it will work for you too, no matter if you believe or not.

Folks these ladies are going to BLOW UP! The wonderful part is they are going to do it singing the Lord's praises. Not only can these sisters(blood related sisters as well) sing crazy, Tina and Erica are seasoned song writers(they wrote along with there producer Waryn Campbell Yolanda Adams hit song YEAH).The first single off of the highly anticipated album SHACKLES is a funky praise song that is infectious and dares you not to bob your head or get your holy dance on.Also these ladies go for traditional as well and cover the late, great Rev. James Clevland classic"NO WAYS TIRED".Also, they have a tear jerker song that should melt even the hardest of hearts and I really think that the song is going to win souls for the kingdom called STILL MY CHILD.This song talks about someone who has strayed from Father God but wants to come back but doesn't know how to make their way back.God goes on to say that you always were and will be MY CHILD! To God be the glory! Folks.....these sisters are something to behold. They are the new faces of gospel and this cd proves they definitely have what it takes to cross over without ever missing a chance to spread the good news of Christ. This cd is an instant classic!

Mary, Mary consists of two very giftful and blessed young ladies. I was first introduced to their music because a local hip hop station plays "Shackles". I bought the single "Shackles" which I listened to every morning when I got to work (Great way to finish waking up!). Shortly afterwards I got the "Thankful" CD. "Can't Give Up Now", an awesome song. You should listen to it, a powerful message: "I just can't give up now, I've come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy and I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me" "Shackles" will remain my favorite, but "Can't Give Up Now" and "One Minute" are definitely in the running. Not religious? Don't believe? Get this CD for the beat, it's definitely there.

This is truly an annointed CD. The one thing that I am most proud of is that even though the production was BANGIN', the ministry of Jesus Christ was heaard, felt, and experienced in every song. I thank God for Mary-Mary because God has given them the ability to speak about the heart of man. Especially young people. Mary-Mary has given young people music that grooves and, at the same time, the TRUTH about Christ. To quote a line from "Thankful":"Where would I be without your love. Where woud I be without your grace. You didn't have to do it, but I'm glad you did."I can just praise God for that because if we really think about those words & how blessed all of us are, we can truly say "Lord, I'm Thankful!"Get it. It is truly worth it.Keep ministering Ladies! God's gotcha.Hope to work with you very soon...

I heard "Shackles" on the radio and knew immediately that I had to have the entire CD. I was pleasantly surprised to find the entire CD is wonderful. The song are so optimistic and these young ladies sing them with such obvious joy and an intensity that speaks to their own relationships with Christ. "I Sings" is a jam, I don't care what you say. I love it more than "Shackles!" And didn't they turn "What A Friend" and "Wade in the Water" into serious powerhouses? Most of the lyrics speak about humble beginnings and about the real need for God in our lives. That's what's really going on and Mary, Mary delivers the message loud and clear. I recommend this CD to everyone.

Mary Mary are the Atkins sisters, Erika and Tina. They seemed to have come out of nowhere to dominate the top video count-downs with their video "Shackles (Praise You)" in 2000. Everyone knew that song (at least everyone who watched BET). "Shackles" is what made me go pick up the CD and I'm glad I did.

1. Thankful (10/10) - Has a nice sound to it with great vocals.

2. I Sings (10/10) - One of my favorite songs. A gospel/rap song. What will they come up with next?

3. What A Friend (8/10) - A nice song with a good message. What a friend we have in Jesus.

4. Shackles (Praise You) (10/10) - The song that led me to purchasing the album. I love the lyrics, the beat, everything about the song!

5. Can't Give Up Now (8/10) - Has a real gospel feel to it compared to the previous songs.

6. Be Happy (9/10) - Another positive message given. I love these girls.

7. Joy (8/10) - Great song...enough said.

8. I Got It (8/10) - Pretty good.

9. Somebody (6/10) - Just OK. Nothing special.

10. Good To Me (featuring Destiny's Child) (10/10) - A great soulful sound. Combining Erika and Tina's voice with Beyonce, Kelly, and Michelle's is just magic!

11. One Minute (7/10) - Deep lyrics. Nice vocals.

12. Still My Child (5/10) - A slower song with great vocals and great lyrics, but it's still missing something.

13. Still My Child (Interlude)

14. Wade In The Water (10/10) - New school feel to an old church favorite. I love this song!

Overall Grade: A-

Personally I don't really dig gospel type music since i am not really sure about my beliefs on God, but all things aside this album makes me want to believe. The songs are so uplifting. "Thankful" shows the girls great voices and a great tune. The sisters wrote a lot of their songs on the album. My personal favorite is "Shackles", this tune is bumpin' and the lyrics are uplifting even through the dance-floor beat. The awesome groove of this cd is reason enough to buy it and the lyrics are even more. It's great.

It's been a long time since I have listened to Gospel, but these young ladies have definitely got me re-evaluating my views. This cd is so energizing and positive. I am an avid R&B and Hip Hop listener and I can't remember when I've heard a cd that I enjoyed to the same degree. I especially like Be Happy and Good To Me. After listening to this cd, I have vowed that I will begin going back to church. I only wish I could attend the church of these young ladies to hear them live, but the cd more than makes up for that. If you want a good cd to sit back, relax, or even keep the road rage down during rush hour, this is it. God blessed and will continue to bless them!

I must say that my soul was blessed when I first heard Mary Mary's songs "Shackles (Praise You)", and "Wade In The Water" before their album was released. It really gave me some anticipation to hear "Thankful", because I knew that these young ladies were two talented song writers and singers who blessed other artists with success with their music. I love this album even more now then when I first bought it, because I got to see Mary Mary perform live in concert a few times, and even got to visit their church (yes they still occasionally sing with their church choir). These women are truly blessed by God and you can feel it in their music. This is the type of music that gives the youth a true alternative to the secular music out there that can be detrimental to their salvation and give them positive focus on life and the issues that they deal with day to day.

The album starts off with some uptempo tracks that will make you want to get your holy praise dance on. "Thankful" and "I Sings" are truly annointed and filled with joy, plus B.B. Jay blesses "I Sings" with his lyrical gift. "What A Friend" lets you know about the true friend we have in Jesus. "Shackles (Praise You)" is truly a gem, and it let the whole world know of who Mary Mary is. We actually realize how easy it is to shake the shackles and burdens we have in life off of us through praise. "Can't Give Up Now" is a powerful song that encourages you to keep up the battle, because you're not far from the victory. We've come too far to turn back and God is always by our side. "Be Happy", "I Got It" and "Somebody" are all spiritually strong and uplifting songs that become more so through the powerful vocal delivery and production.

"Joy" truly expresses what it's about. You can't help but to feel joy while listening to it. "Good To Me" features Destiny's Child, and it's very smooth and lets you know why those girls sold over seven millions albums. It also proves that Mary Mary shows how God is good to them by singing for the Lord, and yet they're still blessed with mass album sales around the world. "One Minute" simply expresses the length of time it takes to ask for forgiveness from the Lord. "Still My Child" is a soul stirring ballad that reminds me of the prodigal son. No matter what we do, and no matter how far we stray, we are still God's children, and He always will welcome us back with open arms. I truly loved "Wade In The Water". It reminds me of the old negro spiritual that kept the slaves uplifted and bound in their faith, but yet Mary Mary's version is upbeat with a smooth instrumental track that will get you on your feet in praise along with their annointed voices.

"Thankful" is truly a blessed album by two young ladies who can actually sing! I've seen them many times in person, and believe me these young ladies can mesmerize you with their annointed voices that truly come straight from their souls. They chose to live and sing for God, and by that we should all be "Thankful" for their beautiful album that is a treasure to gospel music.