Customer Reviews

Wide Eyed

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sometimes, Christian music glosses over the struggles in life. And, while I still enjoy those songs, I occasionally want more. That's why this debut CD was such a breath of fresh air.

Nichole Nordeman doesn't shy away from the struggles and pain in life. I knew I'd found someone who will face life realistically when she admitted in the opening song that she shares common ground with Doubting Tomas. Of course, that confession comes in a prayer "To Know You" better. "Who You Are" follows a similar theme or wanting to know who God truly is with all the ambiguity thrown in. "To Say Thanks" is another honest admission, this one admitting that it's not always easy to give thanks in everything like we are told to do in the Bible.

Also included are prayers for God to perfect her. My favorite of these is the ballad "River God." It paints such a vivid picture of God smoothing us as He sees fit.

And "Anyway" and "I Wish the Same for You" just reflect on the amazing grace and love God has given us.

With three CD's now, Nichole has proven that she has a sharp pen for writing what is in her heart in new and refreshing ways. I highly recommend any of her CD's for a challenging reflection of your walk with God.

This album is a joy to listen to. One song in particular I sing loudly when alone in my car. The songs written by Nicole Nordman are connected by a theme. This theme comes from the first song of the album titled :To Know You. The song talks of an individual "awake with questions"; Asking oneself about how does one "separate fact from fiction" . She compares the struggle with how the scholar and religious authority ( Nicodemus) could not understand How a grown man could be born again? And how Thomas did not believe without seeing the nails in Jesus' hands. She talks about common ground she has with these men. Which I understand is the struggle of any finite man understanding an infinite God.

Wide Eye begs the question: What type relationship one has with God is dependent on how one relates with others who walk on this earth. The clear message is all humans are created in the image of God, no matter how off base their theology. How do you who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are to relate to others who hold another theology { or truth}. In the song there is given a couple examples of people talking of weird theology that leave the listener "confused and disillusion". Listening I ask myself is she talking about the person or faith? How am I to respond to{these}people who seem to be disconnected with reality {nuts}. Jesus did talk about how one treated the least so you have Him.

Who You Are is the song I enjoy singing along with most on the album and is the reason I purchased the album when the CD first came out. The song uses the voice of Nicole to great effect. She sings sweetly how people taught her to comprehend God in simple/easier ways so the relationship would be less daunting . To make coming to him easier and simpler. She talks as if one could put God " in my pocket". Then in a loud outburst manner she responds "I know I cannot explain You". She continues to talk how Jesus walks with us: "so near yet so far". How does anyone understand the personal relationship of a finite being with an infinite being. That is who I am and that God is so much more. My finite ability to comprehend God does not give me an excuse to reinvent God, so I do not need to revere Him as much. If I do, I am honoring the Onewho lowered himself so I could have a relationship with Him.

Who You Are is the reason I chose to review this album at this time. In the book titled: Christ Among Other gods by Erwin Lutzer is a quote by Nietzche.

"You have caged [God], tame him, domesticated him, and the priests have plenty lent their aid. the roaring bull has became a listless Ox."

From the song: " Every teacher, every preacher-with the very best intent- Found new ways to hide the mystery-Replaced with common sense".

Does [your] perspective of God `make' God less awesome. Scripture should teach the Christian who God is. God's word should pierce your heart. Only by knowing God's power, might, and righteousness can one begin to comprehend the grace of God. Only through some comprehension of God's hatred for sin may one understand the humiliation of Christ dying on the Cross for my disobedience. This is the only way to begin comprehending having a relationship with God. The privilege of knowing Jesus.

Anyway is a simpler and calmer song. The song talks as if God saw something in me so He sent His Son. I do not agree. What ever I am? Jesus gives me value. I have no value in myself. It is who God is that gives me value. No redemption, no value.

I Wish the Same for You. First one has joy in his salvation. Second one wants others to know this joy. Third one wants to share this joy with others. Remember the song Wide Eye: it is how a Christian relates to others, that determines how close his walk with Jesus is.

Is It Any Wonder talks about what does really matter. "You do not need the softest curves to have love" is phrase to communicate that physical attractiveness is not the goal or idol to be served. Young girl [ and boys] should seek something more important. the song also talks about the "fastest and biggest toys" as the goal to become a winner in life. This is most certainly not what God wants us to strive for. These things can most certainly effect your relationship with God.

Burnin the song sounds very moody and can be a downer. "Until nothin is left to show", "a new life begins to grow". Does spiritual growth come when a Christian lets go of the things of the world and learns to grasp on God instead? The song is about seeking the things of heaven.

To Say Thanks I use to dismiss this song as meaningless with the lyrics crying repetitively the word why and concluding with the words to give thanks. I used to think nice sounding but what meaning. Listen closely, the songs talks about trials sent by God for our own good. Yes I have wonder why God brings trials to me and at times I have been most ungrateful. Nicole does remark about self inflicted pains briefly, but that is not the subject of the song.

River God A variation of the potter and the clay. God is the river and the Christian is a rock in the river. God flows water over the believer to smooth out his
rough edges. I agree that God chooses times and events [often the mundane] to shape His followers. "Never is the river dry" ,God is always workin on the believer.

I cannot express how deeply Nichole Nordeman has touched my life by releasing this album. All of the songs are extremely soul searching, making you want to reexamine why you are a Christian, and exactly what that means. I must say that I loved it when I bought it, but it did not completely move me until I saw her in concert. It was just her and that Magical Piano, and her telling us all why she wrote each and every song. My favorite is "To Say Thanks." This song is about how God doesn't always lead us out of the "Storms of Life," because he wants us to grow in Him. How it's so hard to say thanks to Him for allowing us to go through this gut-wrenching experience. When you here this song, think of the poem "Footprints in the Sand." Also, at her concert, Nichole played a few other songs, and trust me, if she puts them on this new album, expect God to convict you again. When she was finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the whole church. Thank you Nichole for giving us all an album from your heart, and from your experiences. Because in one way or another, they are all our experiences too.

This is by far the darkest Christian album I have ever heard. It is also one of the ablums with the deepest thoughts. I bought this album when it first came out and have listened to it very much ever since. From the moment I heard Nichole's first song, "To Know You," I knew I had to get her album.

Much of this album focuses on the mystery of God, talks about our striving to do right in the midst of humanness, and asks the tough questions such as "Why me? Why this storm?"

I can't say anything more without reviewing the songs themselves...

"To Know You" opens the album and sets the theme. It talks about our striving and searching to know and understand God in the midst of doubt. We've all been there, whether we admit it or not. Nichole writes with stark honesty and vulnerability--something more Christians should possess.

The album continues into the title track, where Nichole raises two crucial questions: "Have we forgotton that even the pagan, unsaved, 'sinners' and supposedly ludirous people are created in the image of God and He died for them, too and loves them... just as much as He loves us?" and the second one, a more hard-hitting one: "What would we have done had we been there when Jesus walked the earth and proclaimed to be the Son of God? Would we have believed Him? Or would we have laughed at and scorned Him like so many did?" These are questions we don't want to face or have to answer. But they need to be asked.

"Who You Are" is almost a continuation of "To Know You" that focuses a little more on the mystery of God. Instead of human doubt, the song focuses on human simplification of the awesome power of our Creator. We could never fully explain the omnipotence of God, nor could our human minds conceive all that He is, and yet we try to know everything about Him when there is "so much more You."

"Anyway" switches things up a little bit. Using a metaphor of dusty old paintings being restored, Nichole describes how God loved us even the midst of our sins and cleansed us, used us, and displayed us for His glory.

"I Wish the Same for You" gives our minds a rest for a few minutes and concentrates on a more surface-level topic. It's more up-beat and "happy sounding" than the previous tracks. The song unfolds like a letter to an unbeliever. It hopes that each and everyone could come to know the saving love of Christ and stop searching and fearing the unknown. I like this one a little less than the rest, but it's still very good.

"Is it Any Wonder" goes a level deeper. The song describes pop society's pressures placed on males (money, success) and females (outside beauty and form). No one is going to find what they're looking for in these things, and giving into these expectations can actually destroy a person's life. The "love that can't be glamourized" and "hope that won't be downsized" are the only things that can fill an empty soul. This song has a very unique and even strange melody, piano line, and beat to it, almost rock-sounding, but it's very catchy.

"Burnin'" talks about the refining power God uses during our trials. Nichole confesses to attempting to avoid the "fires" of this life and play it safe. These trials can and will hurt us. They will be hard. But this is where we find God. (side note: this was probably my least favorite song on this CD. I thought it was slow and kind of boring. But with each listen, I came to not only enjoy the theology of it, but also its slow 'jazz club' feel. Now it is one of my favorite songs on the CD and one I often skip to)

"Gone Are the Days" is more along the lines of "I Wish the Same." It talks about ceasing to run and fight, and, instead, surrendering to God's love and power. Like "I Wish," this one's a little less enjoyable than the rest but it's still catchy, with a lighter beat, and challenges listeners to stop resisting and just give in. Also, this song showcases Nichole's very wide vocal range with incredibly low notes, but a couple relatively high ones as well.

One of the songs I have been able to identify with the most on this record is "To Say Thanks." Nichole uses more of her respectable honesty and vulnerability and asks the "why's." This song talks about the storms of life, and how, even though we know of God's sovereignty, it gets so hard to appreciate it because we DON'T understand why we're going through them. It not only expresses a lack of understanding, but also frustration and even anger: "I'm shaking a fist in the dark/and I'm asking why, why, why, why." Also, the song expresses the inability to decipher which trials are from God and which temptations are from Satan: "And I cannot pretend/to know the difference/between the storms you send/and those I find" I've played and sung this song when I've been going through a hard time, because I am feeling everything that is expressed in this song. Nichole is so honest in this song about human misunderstanding, frailty and faults, which is so admirable from a Christian artist.

The close-er, "River God," is a beautiful piano ballad. Along the same topical lines as "Burnin'" this song compares us to stones in a cold mountain river and how God uses tests and trials to mold us, removing our "edges" of character defects and making us "smoother" and more spiritually mature. Excellent way to close the album.

Nichole's debut is by far the BEST debut album I've ever heard. It's amazing that this was her first album. It is, by far, one of her best and one of the top Christian albums ever. Nichole's songwriting and analogies are pitch-perfect. She neglects the sugar-coated, "everything's perfect as a Christian" topic that all too often dominates Christian music today, and dives deeper.

'Wide Eyed' is an excellent record that examines the mystery and the darker side of a Christian's life. New Christians need to hear this album to know that the Christian life is not going to be a cakewalk.

Kudos, Nichole!

I first heard Nichole's music on the Christian radio station in Calgary, Alberta. Then I heard an interview with her and got to listen to more of her songs. Finally, I bought the cassette. I loved it so much that I gave it to my best friend as a present and bought the CD. My favorite track is 'River God', but 'Burnin' and 'Anyway' are two songs I've 'given' to people, along with 'To Say Thanks'. Nichole's skill with lyrics and melody are enhanced by her skill at the piano, and her vocal abilities really draw out the message of the songs.

I have never been so personally moved by the hauntingly beautiful music that Nichole Nordeman created on this album. God speaks in this album. From an unGodly slump,I rose to new heights in God knowing that there were others who understood the frustrations of being human and sinful before our Lord. This is a wonderful album for those of the new faith or those who are suffering from their own demons (who isn't?). Nichole Nordeman gives her listeners God's Truth from a perspective we can all associate. Our own.

One reviewer wrote that "Wide Eyed" is not just for Christians. They were correct! While I consider myself to be a Christian, I have not been to church in years. YEARS!!!!! This CD is not preachy. Instead, Nichole takes you along for her wide-eyed ride through (at times) painful introspection in search of an understanding of good and God.

I can't explain Nichole Nordeman's talent or how she is SO capable of creatively conveying life-changing lessons of peace, hope and profound understanding...but she can and she does! Boy, does the world need to hear this now!

"Wide Eyed" really is a masterpiece! BUY IT...BUY IT...BUY IT!!!!

My good friend played this CD in the car on the way to church. The night before we had been talking all night how I needed to give up certain things that I was doing. I felt like no one understood. When she played this cd I started to cry because I felt as if God was talking directly to me. I have to say my all time favorite song is "Anyway". The reason is because I think we are all so undesearving of God's Love and I know after I had confessed all these things to God I felt like there was no possible way that God would love me. In the song she says, that there is a change happening inside of her and even when God saw her shame, her embarrassement he still put her in his gallery. That stil hits me even when I hear it today. Her voice and just how her music changes me everytime i listen is awesome. Keep up the good work.

This album was the ultimate pleasant surprise since the only song I had heard from it when I purchased it was "To Know You." Nichole Nordeman has a fully convicting grasp on lyric-writing, especially on the songs "Wide Eyed," "Who You Are," and "River God." The metephoric beauty of "Anyway" is comprised of the most heavenly blend of complete truth, ultimate forgiveness, breathtaking melody, and ethereal piano and strings. In all, this album is profoundly thought-provoking and a beautiful blessing.

This is a remarkable piece of poetry set to music. For Christians looking for something describing genuine spirituality, look no further than River God -- talking about a Christian's burning passion for a righteousness apart from oneself -- or Wide Eyed, a criticism of a sheltered and judgemental Christianity.

Nichole's obvious talent for singing and songwriting, unlike so many artists today, does not detract from the powerful and lasting impression her message leaves on the listener. This CD is for the searching Christian.

The best CCM cd I have heard to date, and hopefully a trend-setting album in Christian circles.