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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Andrew Peterson directs our attention from the far country to heaven, September 5, 2005
Andrew Peterson makes it easier to bear the loss of Rich Mullins. Since Rich left in a whirlwind and chariot of fire, Andrew may come closer than anyone to catching his mantle. The poetic and whimsical verse, the otherworldly view, the storytelling, and the acoustic rock sound are all here.
It's what makes The Far Country worth repeated listens. For now we are in the far country, but heaven is our home, and we long for it. The life that awaits us more than makes up for death and loss. This is the theme that emerges.
One song that captures some of this is the "Queen of Iowa." The inspiration came from a woman that was a big fan of Andrew's music, and who was dying of a number of AIDS related illnesses. Her church was generous enough to fly Andrew and Ben Shive out to perform in her living room. Andrew sings of seeing her, "She was as pretty as a flower in a crystal vase that lights up the room as it withers away." Though dying she was more alive than those around her, and Andrew knew that he would never be the same. It's a touching and beautiful song.
"Lay Me Down," is Andrew's "Elijah," the song by Rich Mullins that so fittingly eulogized his life. Andrew sings, "When you lay me down to die, I'll miss my boys, I'll miss my girls / Lay me down and let me say goodbye to this world / You can lay me anywhere but just remember this, when you lay me down to die, you lay me down to live." It may be somewhat ironic for a song about one's passing, but the music, which includes some stellar electric guitar work, makes me feel more alive. It's a song that makes you want to sing and dance on the inside if not outwardly.
"Little Boy Heart" has a Bruce Hornsby energy with its sound and piano work. It's no accident since Andrew acknowledges his admiration of his work. The title conveys a little of the adventure in the lyrics. It's enough to make one long for a revived sense of childlike exuberance and wonder.
"Mystery of Mercy" features beautiful hammer dulcimer work that would make Rich proud as Andrew asks a somewhat different question, "My God, my God, why hast thou accepted me?"
As a single person who has struggled with relationships, when I read that "For the Love of God" was written for a dear friend, "who was terrible with relationships," it made me want to laugh. The honesty was refreshing. Andrew promised his friend that if he ever married, which seemed unlikely, he would write this song. He says, "What little I know about love between a man and a woman is in this song." It's a great song that would be a meaningful addition to any wedding.
"More," written with critically-acclaimed folk artist Pierce Pettis, is about heaven and fittingly closes the recording. It's a masterpiece of pure folk.
I liked the sparseness that I heard on Love and Thunder, Andrew's last release, but the slightly fuller sound on this recording is likely to appeal to more people. The music is more cohesive with less fluctuating between the extremes of sparseness and fullness. The electric guitar is a little more prominent, providing more of a rock edge to a few songs. The bluegrass heard on the last recording is absent. Most songs are a blend of mid-tempo folk, pop and rock. The production, musicianship and artistry are all top-notch.
Since I discovered him on his "Clear to Venus" recording, Andrew Peterson has been one of my favorite artists. If you are unfamiliar with his music, The Far Country is a great place to get to know him.
There will never be another Rich Mullins, but Andrew Peterson directs us toward home in a way that makes it a little easier to live in the far country. This is a look to heaven that alternates between hope, yearning and joy.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From a distance that shortens every day, September 4, 2005
This year, Andrew Peterson's music has been medicine for this heart of mine. I eagerly awaited the charms of this new album. Unlike Love and Thunder and Behold the Lamb of God, which grabbed me right away, this one struck me like Clear to Venus, an album that took some time to properly fathom and hold very dear.
The Songs: The Far Country is a paean of desiring heaven. Andrew Peterson (AP) explores his theme from the vantage of dying and despairing souls and those burdened with the joy of living, which should be no burden. "The Far Country" is a rock song that reminds me, of all things, of John Waite's "Missing You" and kicks off the album like "No More Faith" did for Clear to Venus. "Lay Me Down" is a powerful love letter from a dying parent--it reminds me so much of my father-in-law, who died this year. It's one of the best songs on the album and features an emotionally convincing vocal by Peterson. "The Queen of Iowa" is a languid ode to a remarkable event and marks the album's shift from heaven as the goal of the dying to heaven as the inspiration of the living. "Little Boy Heart Alive" is the third rocker on this album; it slowly builds up quite a head of steam and captures that zest for life that one hopes Christians truly know. Written mostly by Ben Shive, "The Havens Grey" boasts allusions to the writings of Tolkien; although musically intriquing in spots, it hasn't quite captured my full appreciation yet. AP and Goodgame's "Mystery of Mercy" was covered by Caedmon's Call on Back Home, but this incarnation is musically superior with delicate percussion and shimmering hammer dulcimer in the background. "Mountains on the Ocean Floor" is one of AP's story songs, and it's odd imagery kept bringing me back again and again. In its oblique way, it speaks perhaps most eloquently of how desiring heaven can inspire personal transformation. "All Shall Be Well" is a little island vacation, an eye in the hurricane, a reminder to hold on--the lightest song on the album and a real delight. "For the Love of God" is a personal song that brought tears to my eyes. Cowritten with Pierce Pettis, "More" is a fitting summary of all that's gone before. It ends rather abruptly--there's no hidden track--to a void that beckons you to ponder the unseen country that awaits beyond the veil. It was something of a shock--perhaps the best reminder that heaven can be a sudden reality for anyone, anytime.
Comments on the music: The Far Country is AP's third collaboration with Ben Shive, who produced this album. Although superficially reminiscent of AP's previous work, there is definitely something different here. AP's emotional range seems a little broader (from tired and thirsty to downright lusty for life), the music seems bright and beautiful, and the musical palette seems richer than before. Guitars and percussion weave delicate filigree. The background vocals, Osenga in particular, are inspired. The Far Country cries out attention to detail. I felt somewhat lost during my first listen of this album, and it was "For the Love of God" that woke me up to its splendor. I haven't stopped listening.
Overall: With all of the unexpected heartbreak of the past several years, I feel this album's message is very timely. Scripture references support the songs' lyrics, which often reveal great insight into the human heart's desire (and fear) of heaven. Andrew Peterson's unrefined voice lends authenticity to the message. The musicians layer beauty upon beauty in each song. I suppose AP is right: "believing and longing for heaven affects every aspect of our lives here on earth." To die well, one must live well, and The Far Country is an invitation to live abundantly while we wait. Highly recommended.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best of 2005, September 2, 2005
Andrew Peterson's THE FAR COUNTRY is one of the best Christian albums of the year. For those familiar with his previous releases, LOVE & THUNDER, CLEAR TO VENUS, and CARRIED AWAY, they will find Andrew Peterson's style to be much the same. (Why mess with perfection???)
Both musically and lyrically, THE FAR COUNTRY excels, Andrew Peterson's abilities both as a writer and a musician are shown on his latest album.
Highlights on this album include "The Far Country" "The Havens Grey" "Mystery of Mercy" "All Shall Be Well" and "More." (Although there is not a bad song on the album.)
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~ Andrew Peterson
~ Andrew Peterson
~ Andrew Peterson
~ Andrew Peterson
by Andrew Peterson 
