Customer Reviews

Waking Up

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fans and critics alike have always been interested in the music of Bethany Dillon. From a young age she brought songs that were mature and easy to listen to without being bland or cheesy. Now 18, Bethany Dillon brings an album that steps far beyond the expectations of her listeners and wakes fans and critics alike to God, life, and love.

The album opens with the strong single, The Kingdom. With its catchy chorus, strong vocals, and stirring lyrics, The Kingdom opens the album in a way that creates interest for the rest of the album. The next song, Come Find Me, starts with a beautiful piano intro and builds to present a soothing song about the redemption of God based on a passage in Deuteronomy. Following Come Find Me is the title track, Waking Up, which holds upbeat, energetic lyrics speaking of the joys of waking up to God. Something There showcases Bethany's vocal abilities in a song with energy. Let Your Light Shine begins with calm vocals accompanied by piano and ends with Bethany's voice accompanied by a church choir in a prayerful song of worship. Change is a song of thanksgiving that brings just the right amounts of energy and calm to the elements of praise. Top of the World is an energetic song that fans of pop music will enjoy and shows her vocal abilities. In Tell Me, Bethany challenges herself vocally, enhancing the song's power. Are You Sure? brings a slow, thoughtful love song into the mix of more relaxed upbeat songs. When You Love Someone, featured also on the Bridge to Terabithia soundtrack, is an upbeat radio-friendly but highly relatable song about letting someone you love down and how to fix it. You Could Be the One follows with a vocally-interesting love song. Beggar's Heart, written while Bethany was on a trip to India, speaks of the way God changes the heart and feeds it truth and leaves the Christian wanting more. You Are On Our Side, the final track, is a stirring song about the true character of Jesus. It is the most impressing song about who Jesus truly is that has been recorded in a long time.

Overall, Waking Up is an amazing album, full of impressing vocals, lyrics, and music. For the fans of Bethany Dillon, it is another impressive chapter of her career. For potential fans, it is a prime example of what Bethany Dillon is capable of and where her heart is. This is one album that everyone should listen to. There is a song on it for everyone-- young and old, fans and critics alike.

It's easy for artists to get stuck in a rut of similar lyrics and sounds. Bethany hit a bit of this in her last album (Imagination), but has pushed herself hard (with the help of producer Ed Cash) to get out of that slightly medeocre sound. Bethany's voice is strong, controlled and passionate. Her lyrics are incredibly creative and thought provoking. The songs on this album will not dissapoint you...I have had the album for two days and just can't stop listening to it. She explores melancholy avenues (Beggar's Heart, Are You Sure, You are on Our Side) as well as upbeat, folksy sounds (On Top of the World, When You Love Someone, Let Your Light Shine). She sings from the heart and is transparent and honest before God - that's what I appreciate most about her. The girl loves Jesus...and that shows up in her music. He truly has blessed her with amazing, original talent.

When I heard Bethany Dillon play live for the first time at a tiny gig with Shaun McDonald in Tacoma, Washington, I sang along to her every song. And now, with the release of "Waking Up," I can't help but keep singing along. Bethany's music is REAL, striking me with a heart-wretching reality--- reminding me to hang on to my Joy. The album titled song "Waking Up" reflects a dynamic relationship with God that is present in her debut album with "Beautiful". In Bethany's new cd you hear awe-struck, God affirming messages develop in her lyrics, voice, and talent as a strong Christian artist that began early on in her career. Its no wonder to see her three albums work to reveal the most miniscule wonders of God. I am ever-so greatful to hear living and inspired words embodied in Bethany Dillon's music.

"Waking Up" by Bethany Dillon is one of those albums that unfortunately got overlooked last year in year-end rankings of the best of 2007. Perhaps she was overshadowed by Britt Nicole, Jessie Daniels or Krystal Meyers and if you like those artists, then you should love Bethany Dillon who is so mature beyond her 18 years. In fact, I'd compare her more to Adie, Nichole Nordeman and Natalie Grant which is saying a lot. Her maturity shows in the power of her songwriting and singing, including love songs to her now husband Shane Barnard of Shane and Shane.

Both of Bethany's first two albums impressed me, particularly her singing voice. I picked up "Waking Up" expecting more of the same and she really took it up a notch in my opinion. From the opening Biblical truth of "The Kingdom" showing Bethany's searching for things of God over materialism right to the sweeping "You Are On Our Side" this is her strongest album to date. For me, the highlights are the title track, "Tell Me", "Top of the World" and my favorite is "Let Your Light Shine" based on Matthew 5:15-16. Great album and great message, I highly recommend it.

I bought this CD because I heard one of the songs at the end of movie (Dreamer) and decided to investigate the other songs on the CD. I was not disappointed and ended up buying two additional CDs after listening to a sampling of them on Amazon.com

On her third album, melodies abound from this precocious singer/songwriter. This record is a little more pop-oriented than her sophomore effort, and she continues to grow and mature as an artist. There are a number of songs that are strong enough to be radio singles, including the title track "Waking Up", "The Kingdom", "Change", and "Something There." Other songs showcasing strong choruses are "When You Love Someone", and the melodic, piano-driven "Let Your Light Shine." This is Bethany's best yet, but with her talent, she'll probably eclipse even this effort in the future.

If there is any doubt that I'm a Bethany Dillon fan, it's over now. This is an excellent project. I love the sound, and the lyrics are great.

My favorite tracks are "The Kingdom", "Come Find Me", "Let Your Light Shine", "Change", "Tell Me", "Are You Sure", "When You Love Someone", and "You Are On Our Side".

Bethany Dillon, perhaps one of Christian music's most underrated artists, displays the songwriting skills of a Grammy award winner in this beautiful album. Her approach to songwriting is intricate, exposing her personal beliefs tapered by a realistic outlook on life's happenings and a pure love of God. Take one tour through this album and the two best songs are evident almost immediately. "The Kingdom" and "Let Your Light Shine" are reflective of Bethany's contemporary, pop-soul feel.

In "Let Your Light Shine," she has created a beautifully choreographed song featuring a worship feel and incredible lyrics: "The calmer of the sea, here in this room with me, so gently welcoming, the weakest things in me. You are the blood over, the door of my heart, what pain you spared me from, how could I know it, oh wonderful love, you died for me. The power of your life is in me."

In "The Kingdom," a gentle beat keeps the song moving but doesn't take your attention from its meaningful message. Meanwhile, in "You Are On Our Side," Bethany asks simple questions of God that many have asked. But the purity in the message is elegant.

Perhaps most surprising about this album is that Bethany Dillon is only just now 19 years old. You won't be able to tell.

Bethany Dillon filled the void that was left in me after Jennifer Knapp kinda fell out of the music scene. Bethany's lyrics are passionate, deep and relevant. Her folksy style is relaxing and pulls you in. Although her style has changed a bit in her albums I still love listening to her songs. I think she's great!

all I can say is "You are on our side" makes me cry every time! This is an amazing cd!