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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb music with a piercing message, August 18, 2003
By A Customer
This is truly one of the best music CDs I have ever heard. That's saying a lot, considering that I'm not a big fan of folk and country music. However, I was absolutely sucked into this CD, and I still listen to it frequently several months after I bought it.This isn't for the faint of heart or the "casual Christian." If you're like me, you'll find yourself indicted by Derek's blunt and forceful lyrics. His thesis--the unfaithfulness of the Church to Christ, her bridegroom--is one we are all familiar with to some extent. There are so many good songs on this album that it's difficult to decide where the highlights are. "Lover" strikes me as having the best lyrics on the album; sung from Jesus' perspective, it expresses His love and devotion for His Bride. "Wedding Dress" confesses the adultery of the Church and of each of us in our walk with God; it is also intended as a criticism of the materialist doctrine taught in The Prayer of Jabez ("With one hand in a pot of gold / And with the other in Your side"). Derek does not appreciate the belief that whe should expect God to bless us--by God's saving grace, have we not already broken through to the blessed life? "Beloved" is a plea from Christ that His people follow Him and not be deceived by "salesmen and thieves." "The Church" is a response to those who would reject fellowship with other believers because of the church's hypocrisy; Derek argues that those who love Christ must also love His Bride. There are certainly other excellent songs on this CD. Those who are concerned with the idolatry and spiritual adultery of the western church will be relieved to see that a stand is being taken against these practices. And if (like me) you love good theology in music, you will be delighted to find that Derek does not "dumb down" his songs but rather keeps them sharp and penetrating, straight from God's precious Word. This album contains a message that everyone needs to hear. I recommend it highly for all Christians who are willing to take an honest look at the strength and focus of their faith.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Derek Webb Steps Out On His Own., December 12, 2003
"She Must and Shall Go Free" is a superb debut solo album from former Caedmon's Call singer/songwriter/guitarist Derek Webb.
It comes once in a blue moon when an artist releases an album that hits home lyrically and musically. "She Must and Shall Go Free" is such an album.
In a sense, this CD could be considered a concept album not in a progressive-rock sense but in a lyrical sense. Nearly every song on the album serves as a wake-up call to the Church and to bring it back to what it truly is, God's Temple. This theme is most apparent is the title track as well as "Take To The World", the controversial "Wedding Dress" and the closing track "The Church".
Musically, the album is close to the older style of Caedmon's Call (ie: the "40 Acres" album). Derek fuses a delightful mix of folk, rock and country influences and the overall sound is very much acoustic-based. Comparisons to Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter Paul and Mary immediately come to mind only this music has a slightly harder edge. There is even a hint of the late Rich Mullins' style in this music. All of it is very well-performed and arranged. Each track has enough hooks to bring a smile to anyone's face (even on the more serious pieces).
Guests on the album include Sara Groves, all members of Jars Of Clay, Phil Madiera and Caedmon's Call drummer Garett Buell.
This is a great solo debut from an extremely gifted singer/songwriter. Derek Webb's future as a solo artist looks very promising. "She Must and Shall Go Free" is one of my top 10 Christian albums for 2003. Listen to it and it'll probably become one of yours as well. Highly Recommended!!
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Resounding "State of the Church" Address, March 29, 2003
Webb, formerly of Caedmon's Call, paints a dichotomous picture of the Church in his solo debut, "She Must and Shall Go Free." In it, he portrays her as both an unfaithful wife and as the beautiful, radiant bride of Christ.
While most of the album is styled in the familiar folksy tone of Caedmon's Call, he sometimes diverges into different sounds (the bluesy, Dylanesque "Nothing (Without You)," or the bluegrass-like "Crooked Deep Down," for example). The result is a truly beautiful work, both lyrically and musically, born out of Derek Webb's love for the Church.
Some overly-sensitive Christians may shy away from this album, as it contains some strong lyrics here and there (e.g.: referring to the Church as "a harlot and a whore"), but Webb writes and sings from his convictions and his heart . . . not from a "How To Not Offend Christians" manual. If you can handle realism and honesty in your "Christian" music, then give this a listen. If not, then look elsewhere.
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by Derek Webb 
