This Is What We Believe

Aaron Shust | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Centricity Records
• ASIN: B005CAAU0S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,979 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Produced by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Leeland, Chris August), This Is What We Believe retains a poetic simplicity, even amidst a warm and sometimes adventurous sound architecture. It's vintage Aaron Shust, to be sure, but with Cash at the helm, the familiar textures seem to fall together in new ways.

"Ed really pushed me out of my comfort zone," Aaron explains. "He could hear possibilities in the melodies and even in my voice that I hadn't explored before. He had me singing more passionately, less precisely, higher, louder and even more quietly than I ever had before. And it worked. This Is What We Believe is an honest reflection of who I am as an artist, but Ed managed to draw that out and express it in ways that never would have occurred to me. It was a great collaboration."

The dynamic of that collective chemistry seems to have yielded Aaron's strongest collection of songs to date. The entire project feels seamless and intentional, including standout recordings like the hauntingly accessible "My Hope Is In You" (written by April Geesbreght), and the lose-yourself-in-the-moment singability of "Your Majesty".

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Aaron Shust [This Is What We Believe] August 23, 2011

By Kevin Davis TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

GMA's Dove Award winning artist Aaron Shust returns with his fourth album, This Is What We Believe, his first album on Centricity Music. It's vintage Aaron Shust, to be sure, but with Ed Cash at the helm, the familiar textures seem to fall together in new ways. "Ed really pushed me out of my comfort zone," Aaron explains. "He could hear possibilities in the melodies and even in my voice that I hadn't explored before. He had me singing more passionately, less precisely, higher, louder and even more quietly than I ever had before. And it worked. This Is What We Believe is an honest reflection of who I am as an artist, but Ed managed to draw that out and express it in ways that never would have occurred to me. It was a great collaboration." The entire project feels seamless and intentional, including standout recordings like the hauntingly accessible "My Hope Is In You" (written by April Geesbreght), and the lose-yourself-in-the-moment sing-ability of "Your Majesty."

First single "My Hope Is In You" is similar to The Museum's "My Help Comes From The Lord," in that the song is based on the truth of the Psalms. I can't get enough of the Biblical truth of the song and I love when artists take Gods' Word from the Bible and turn it into a great and catchy song filled with truth. I sing this song to God with all of my heart and know that "My hope is in You, Lord, all the day long." The timeless passages, Psalm 25 and Psalm 121, have application for us today as we live in uncertain times. Know that God is your refuge and your hope comes from the Lord. Amen. I find myself singing the song to myself throughout the day, very much like Aaron's Dove Award winning song, "My Savior, My God...." The album was recorded while Aaron's two-year-old son, Nicky, was living in a hospital where he was being fed through tubes because he couldn't keep down any food or drink for more than two seconds, and the doctors were running out of options to treat him. He was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a rare and extremely painful condition, where he was unable to take in any nutrition. Doctors tried multiple food formulas but his body rejected all of them. What was considered to be a permanent disease one day suddenly seemed to have disappeared. The doctor could offer no explanation as to why. But the Shust's were confident they'd just received a miracle.

Title track "This Is What We Believe" is one of many songs that are vertical worship declarations about who God is and who we are in Him because of His great love for us. Other examples are stand-out songs "Your Majesty," "Sing Of My Redeemer" and "Wondrous Love." I could imagine singing many of these songs with fellow believers and they are all proclamations of worship. One of Aaron's strengths is the strong biblical Truth of his songs, and he prays and calls upon our King Jesus in every single song. There is absolutely no doubt who these songs are about.

CLOSING THOUGHTS (Staff Review, NewReleaseTuesday.com)
This is my favorite overall album by Dove Award winning artist Aaron Shust. For me, the stand-out songs that you'll want to start singing at your church are "This Is What We Believe," "My Hope Is In You," "Your Majesty," "Sing Of My Redeemer" and "Wondrous Love." The album is filled with messages of hope, confession and worship to our Great God and Savior. Aaron has once again has written songs of praise and worship set to a nice soft rock musical style. Fans of Bebo Norman, Jeremy Camp and John Waller should enjoy this album. Aaron has a deep voice and sincere singing style that best compares to Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars His best by far March 21, 2012

By LizziesMom

Format:Audio CD

This is a fantastic CD. Every song contains familiar phrases from great verses of the Bible without resorting to awkward rhyming; the lyrics are conversational and uplifting. These songs are catchy and refreshing; Aaron has the wonderful ability to simultaneously engender enthusiasm and tenderness. There isn't a song I skip over on this CD and that's a rare thing. This is Aaron Shust's must-have CD.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Shust is great! November 6, 2011

By Matthew Brown VINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Aaron Shust writes great worship music. I'm not sure if I like this more than his past efforts, but it's still relatively new, and a lot of music takes me some time to resonate with. So far so good, though.

5.0 out of 5 stars Risen Today May 10, 2013

By Terry A. Bartels

Format:MP3 Music

this is a great song that lifts up our Savior. The beat drives you along, so it is not a prayerful song of thanks, but one of rejoicing in the world's risen King.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Aaron Shust's music and this CD!!!! May 9, 2013

By Teresa McCoskey

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Love this CD and all of his music!! Wonderful purchase, inspirational and uplifting!!! Great addition to my Ipod playlist and makes my work day go by faster!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars I will not be the same March 26, 2013

By WFarmer

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Well Mr.Shust has done it again! It is one of the biggest blessings I have gotten! All the songs are rich with the gospel and so up beat to keep you singing for the next mile! You will love his versions of the hymns and learn the songs he has written. Get it! You wont be sorry.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music! March 13, 2013

By Molly C. Turner

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

After I heard that Aaron Shust and his wife had a child born with Down's Syndrome, my heart went out to them and I wanted to hear more of his music. I was not disappointed with this cd. Every song is a winner and speaks from his heart to mine!

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational February 23, 2013

By jsmith.3

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This cd is a great variety of music by this artist. I listen to it on the way to work!