This Mystery

Nichole Nordeman

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B00004T6QJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,215 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Don't look for the patented sophomore slump on This Mystery, Nichole Nordeman's second studio release, because the bright young songwriter builds on the momentum she established with her pleasing 1998 debut, Wide Eyed. Mystery contains a basketful of midtempo, self-reflective songs, painting the portrait of a young artist struggling with faith. At times the lines of both are blurred, and Nordeman deals with this frankly in tunes such as "Fool for You" and the title track. The moving, contemplative "Small Enough" is one of the release's finest songwriting moments, while the uptempo "Home" also shines brightly. Like her Heaven & Earth colleagues Michelle Tumes and Jennifer Knapp, Nordeman is part of a growing group of female songwriters in contemporary Christian music who have a lot to say and know just how to say it. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh great God, be small enough to hear me now., April 26, 2003

By	Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

"Help me believe / 'Cause I don't want to miss any miracles / Maybe I'd see much better by closing my eyes / And I would shed this grownup skin I'm in to touch an angel's wing / And I would be free / Help me believe"...

When I first purchased "This Mystery" I wasn't even aware that it was a contemporary Christian album until I went home and started reading the lyrics! I was just so entranced with the song "Tremble" and what sounded like ordinary love ballads and fun pop tunes that I bought it without the slightest hint of hesitation, and now I believe there was a reason I came across this particular album: My faith was drowning deep within the waters of my shattered view on religion.

Nichole Nordeman sings with real, unforced passion and her songwriting is remarkable. She praises God but its not at all preachy. People like me can actually relate to these lyrics and wish to become a part of this mystery by letting Him in and believing - I mean TRULY believing. This is one of very few CDs that have ever made me cry because of the sheer beauty, not of the melody, but of the words! I've had this CD for many years now and I still get choked up every time I hear it. Nichole Nordeman has a true gift that was given to her from God and she uses it to voice His teachings and His love - which is pure and unconditional. I've had my share of doubts but, thanks to wonderful, uplifting, heart-stirring music like this, and thanks to a friend who is like my earthbound angel (you know who you are and I love it when we soar together!), my soul has been lifted and its slowly but steadily becoming easier for me to see and to embrace the light. Life is too short and how we live it is entirely up to us so I suggest that we make the best of it - since its the only one we've got. It's tiresome and depressing to be alive and to fear the dreadful coming of death (which is an issue I've struggled with many times before), but to look at it as a part of this journey and to accept that this is only our temporary home and that Heaven awaits us all with open arms is an awesome reality to ease the mind, which is honestly concerned with way too much logic to cloud the faith buried within our very souls - just longing to be released.

I don't know where this all came from but I'm speaking from the heart. IMHO, if you don't buy this than you're a fool, so please give it a chance. Even if you're uncertain about God's existence, buy this and take that step forward to see where this mystery leads you.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She's a poet, a pianist, and a genius!, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

Nichole's done it again. Her first album, "Wide Eyed", quickly became one of my favorite albums due to the amazing lyrics she writes and the emotion she puts into her songs.

"This Mystery", while the emphasis is different, does not disappoint. "Wide Eyed" focused on the struggles of her Christian walk and the questions she has. The new album focuses on the vastness and deity of God, realizing that we will never have all the answers that we want. This is more of a praise album, in the sense that she shows appreciation for the different aspects of God. What I like most about Nichole is how "real" she is with her lyrics, and she's in top form again.

The last two songs, "Every Season" and "Why" are my favorites, but there are plenty of good lyrics and melodies along the way. Buy the album, and by all means, see her in concert if you have the chance.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, May 26, 2000

By	Amber (TN) - See all my reviews

I got her first CD back in early 1999 and wore it out for several months because it was SO great! Naturally, I was excited by the prospect of a new Nichole Nordeman album. And she hasn't let us down! Her sound is "bigger" on this album, if that makes sense. She's expanded her horizons a bit without any drastic changes - a tricky balance that she does incredibly well. The lyrics are again beautiful and encouraging for both Christian and seeking non-Christians. And I love her cover of "As." There's not a bad song on here. And, as someone else already stated, if you don't have her first album either - buy 'em both!