Customer Reviews

Transform

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'll be the first to admit that I've never really been a big fan of Rebecca St. James's music. Don't get me wrong; I've always admired her boldness in proclaiming her faith through her music -- her unabashed conviction in Christ is something that we need more of in the music industry. It's just that I've never really been impressed with the music itself. Her mediocre attempts to sound "alternative" only left her sounding like a bad Tori Amos ripoff. (I know a lot of RSJ fans will probably hate me for saying that, but I call 'em as I see 'em.) That all changed when I heard her latest album, TRANSFORM. The music is amazing; it's different from her past albums in that it has more of a techno pop sound, and Rebecca's voice fits the new style perfectly. Songs like "For the Love of God", "Reborn", and "Lean On" have infectious beats that will have you hooked and dancing in no time. The introspective "Don't Worry" is a pure pop gem that will have you smiling as you realize how true the message is. "In Me" is another pop gem driven by acoustic guitar. Orchestra arrangements add a special touch to songs like "Merciful" and "Stand". Kudos go to the album's producers, the most prominent of which is former Plumb producer Matt Bronleewe. The spiritual boldness that is typical of RSJ's lyrics has not faded with this album. "Wait For Me" deals with the topic of chastity and sexual purity, "Merciful" is a powerful cry for God's forgiveness, and "Stand" encourages us all to be bold and stand up for what we believe in. There's not a bad song on this album; it will have you listening from start to finish. So for those of you have never really cared for RSJ's music in the past, give her a chance by listening to this album. You may be in for a pleasant surprise.

From when she first popped onto the music scene in 1994, I've always seen Rebecca St. James as being a 'good' artist, but this remarkable album has transformed her into a great one. Featuring a brilliant mix of rock, dance, and pop, Transform is filled with energy-packed songs that lay claim to what drives Rebecca in her life. There are no duds in these 12 songs as each one has something unique to offer. Among the best tracks on Transform are For The Love Of God and All Around Me, two powerful rockers with extremely catchy choruses. Other highlights include Don't Worry, the radio smash hit featuring another killer chorus, One, a song with a great dance beat that is sure to sound fantastic at her concerts, and Reborn, another standout dance hit. The song Wait For Me, though perhaps not one of the album's best songs musically, offers a memorable and poignant lyric about maintaining the gift of sexual purity for one's husband or wife, a message this world clearly needs to hear more of. In fact, thought-provoking and uncompromising lyrics punctuate Transform. But make no mistake: this album would easily reach the status of excellence even without its exemplary Christian lyrics. It is simply a great listen that cannot be missed.

This is a great Christian CD to own. It has a great techno-pop feel to it without being souless or sugary. It is filled with great tracks with wonderful messages behind them. Here are my opinions of the songs on this CD-

1. Intro-even though its real short, it is a passioned, dramatic classical peice. nice. 2. For the love of God-GREAT song. Nice techno-rave feel to it and its just the thing to get you dancing. 3. Reborn-a cheesy euro-style dance peice...i didn't find this one so great 4. Don't worry-it sounds a little corny at first with its rap-rhyming, but it will get you singing along with it and loving it after another listen. 5. Merciful- SWEEEET! Great classical instrumentation and heaby drum beats, and deep spirituality in the lyrics...this is one of my faves on the album spiritually *and* musically. 6. One- a Britney Spears-ish pop song, i don't really like this one but it has a good message. 7. Universe-an okay track, kind of like "merciful" but not as good. 8. Wait for me- great message of staying sexually pure until marriage and a nice beautiful rhythm to it, great for slow dancing. I could imagine this one being played on Dawson's Creek or Party of Five during an on-screen kiss or something. 9. In me- this one is very much a country song-sounding a lot like Reba Macintire or Leann Rimes. I am not a big fan of country but I like this one. 10. Lean on- another track along the lines of "reborn" 11. All around me- a delicious rock track. 12. Stand- the one with the most spiritually challenging lyrics on the CD (in my opinion), really encourages Christians to take a stand for God in today's world/ 13. My hope- one of my faves. a slow, classical/techno thing...very good.

With a lot of Christian artists, they are simply going with the flow. After comparing even "star" young artists like Jaci Velasquez with RSJ, there is only one thing to say.

HANG ONTO THE RAILS! THIS IS ONE INCREDIBLE RIDE!

Once again, a blow you out-of-the water CD. How does she do it? That's an easy one. God's the center of her life. And this album proves it, if Pray, and God didn't.

The brief intro at the begining of the CD is a curiousity. Unusual, to be sure, but not to be missed.

Then you are blown away with "For the Love of God" Those lyrics are incredible. They ROCK.

Reborn has an unusal blend of lyrics and contrasting music. The deep chorous "Have you ever felt that something is missing within your soul; you want something more, but you don't know what for" really blew me away. VERY powerful.

Don't Worry is an okay listening-to. But if your seeking, I suggest you skip over this track, because the tune and alternating talk-singing sort of distracts from the mood of the message.

One is an awesome track. However, the lyrics are rushed, and it detracts from the song.

Universe blew me AWAY. Totally and completely. The compelling lyrics are so powerful I almost cried when hearing it.

Wait for Me has a good message.

In Me is a little overrated, sometimes. It's a good song, yes, but the tune gets to me a little.

Lean On was a shocker. When I heard it, my blood turned cold. I love this track. It says a lot, without saying too much.

All Around Me has to be the best song on the CD. I find it highly underrated, and a definate listen-to. "Yesterday, Mid-afternoon, My thoughts keep turning back to You. In my mind, you'd flood my head, with echos of the things you'd said." Those lyrics mean something to me. A lot. My cousin and I (my cousin is not an RSJ fan, by the way) rave about this song. It has a powerful message not to be overlooked.

Stand has a good message as well. Not as strong as the others on her CD, though.

My Hope was one of those deep reflecting, cry-alot songs. Experiance gained by pain and tears. Not to be missed, even if you prefere dance tunes.

Rebecca St. James fans: BUY THIS CD!

Frankly, I'm a Skillet/P.O.D. fan, but I love Transform. It's very different from RSJ's previous releases... definitly worth adding to any collection.

Admittedly, I've never been a strict Rebecca St. James. That is... until I purchased "Transform" simply for the song "Wait For Me." This dynamic Aussie has put together a collection of must-hear songs unlike anything else she has ever written. The dramatic disco-pop-rock appeals to many teenagers in particular who, like myself, have been searching for a Christian alternative to Britney Spears or Madonna. The intro sets a pace that swiftly picks up in "For the Love of God," which then barrels into my personal favorite - "Reborn."

I rarely like ALL of the songs on a CD, but this one is different. You can't decide whether you wish the music would go on forever, or skipping forward to see what other great songs there are on this disk! Of course, it includes the much-played "Don't Worry," and the song that became famous after 9/11 - "Stand." All of the tracks are peppy, rock songs that you could dance to at any Graduation and/or party event. Basically, all of the songs are either A) a prayer of thankfulness and worship to God (incredible!) or B) encouraging others to Life 4 Him.

Rebecca is growing up. And this is a great disk that proves she can hold up against any of the greats - Carman, Michael W. Smith, etc. Buy this one as a stocking stuffer for the music fan in your life.

Rebecca St. James has always delivered a wonderful, catching pop sound, with powerful, issue-tackling lyrics. She is not afraid or ashamed of who or what she is and the kind of message she is sending; a love of God that, just from listening to her music, you know is whole and pure. Rebecca's latest album is no doubt her best yet. Once again, she witnesses through song on several different issues, from uniting all people as one entity to premarital relations to complete repentance. What makes this album different from her others, though, is the way the message is sent. Almost every track will make you want to get out of your chair and dance. The driving techno sound of "Reborn" sounds almost straight out of a rave. The awesome dance-pop jams "One" and "Universe" sweep anything from Britney or Christina right into the gutter. She even dips into the alternative sound a little (much the way she did on "God" and "Pray") with "All Around Me". Overall, this is one of the best contemporary Christian albums I've heard in a long time. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. Get it right now.

Only few of the artists have courage to change their music style like Rebecca has! "God" is a rock album, and this is a disco album! This album has many hits, such as "Reborn", "Stand", and "Wait for Me". Rebecca's voice is awesome! I hope that many will find this album because it is one of my favourite albums of all time! It's hard to find any bad songs because this is so well produced. I would like to arise four songs especially: "For the Love of God", "Merciful", "My Hope", and "Lean on". This is the Christian disco pop album of our time!
Stars: Wait for Me, Reborn, My Hope

Rebecca is uniquely beautiful and my role model, a wonderful one, too! 'Transform' is her best album. Euro-pop tracks with excellent strings performed by The London Sessions Orchestra. When I was 10 I listened to this CD in a music store and after the stringed intrument intro, I decided that I'd try something else. But later, I matured beyond cheesy songs about nothing, and realized this is great music, and bubble gum poppy isn't really the only good style (And I don't listen to it anymore, exept I think Rose Falcon is great! she isn't really bubble gum though. Check her out!) My fave tracks out "Universe" (Based on some verses from the Psalms) and "Reborn", a great track to dance to and lipsynce around to. "For the love of God" Is about 1 Corninthians 13 (The love chapter) and is pretty good. "Don't worry" is a reminder a lot fo us need to hear, and keeps the tempo up. "Merciful" isn't really that great, but Rebecca is always fantastic. Some people complian "One" sounds too much like Britney's "Oops, I did it again" but of course "One" is Christian with a great message and is great to dance too. Nothing wrong with it! "Wait for me" is a another great reminder, it's for teens and singles. I don't love "In me" and "Stand" is just Okay. But the albums a winner. Go Rebecca you rock!

I first became familiar with Rebecca St. James by hearing her song "Abba Father" from her album "God" some years ago. I bought the album just for that one song. I liked about half of the album--the fast songs. The slow ones were boring. When her next album, "Pray," came out, I sampled it and liked it okay but never enough to buy it. When "Transform" came out, I thought, "I suppose I should give it a listen too," not thinking that it would be anything particularly special.
Boy was I wrong. From the very first couple minutes, I knew this was something entirely new. Instead of just acoustic and electric guitars, I was blown away by a full sound of orchestra, synthesizers, as well as beats. I was amazed by the new sound, both the quality of the songs and the quality of the recording.
My favorite song on here is "Universe," which I have played so much I think I made my wife sick of the song. This one reminds me of that rap song from Godzilla that used music from Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" (can't think of the song's title)--heavy, powerful, dramatic. I always listen to "Universe" at HIGH volume. I like the message too--"Nothing in the universe can separate us from the love of God!" I also like the other orchestral & dance numbers--"Reborn," "Merciful," "One," "For The Love of God," and "Lean On."
The rest of the album has more of her previous sound, but is still great stuff, with the exception of "Wait For Me," which I always skip (I hate ballads). "All Around Me" and "Stand" are exuberant songs that you can imagine singing from a mountaintop.
This is quality music all the way, very powerful, with quality sound recording. An awesome album.