Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Something Worth Hearing, April 25, 2006
This last weekend, I went to a concert where Aaron Shust was the opening act. I hadn't heard of him before, but I was impressed enough to buy this CD.
Aaron spent four years as the worship pastor at a church in Atlanta. This shows through on the CD. The focus is most certainly on God, with several songs that could easily be used in a church service.
"Matchless" is a great upbeat song praising the name Jesus Christ now as a warm up for eternity. "Glory to You" could easily be a call to worship with a chorus that states "The reason we're here and the reason we sing/is to thank You oh God and give praise to the King/We lift our hands and we lift our eyes and we sing/You are holy."
A couple of the songs have familiar themes of surrender. For example, "Give it All Away" says "All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before your feet." Easy to say but hard to do. On the other hand, "More then Wonderful" is refreshingly honest when it admits "And although it seems at times it all means nothing to me/You've got to know that I love You/You've got to know that I need You."
The highlight of the album is "My Savior My God," the first single released to radio. Aaron took an old, forgotten hymn he discovered and gave it a new melody and chorus. It's a fun song with a building passion and a great statement of faith.
While the CD lists twelve tracks, two of them are under a minute each. The CD opens with "Give Me Words," a prayer that Aaron feels will be one day become a full song, but he wanted to share it with us now. "In Your Name" is a slower version of the bridge from "Matchless." I wasn't sure about it the first couple times through, but it works well as a transition into the final song, "One Day.
Aaron's heart comes through in these songs. His desire to praise our great God is refreshing and touched my heart.
The CD is a guitar driven debut. Musically, it doesn't stand out from the many adult contemporary/worship projects already released. This can be a drawback or a blessing. Personally, that's my favorite style, so I love it. On the other hand, the melodies are easy to learn and very catchy. I have already found several of these songs stuck in my head.
I am very glad I got a change to be exposed to Aaron's music and buy this CD. I will enjoy this for quite some time and look forward to more projects from him.
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Authentic, December 9, 2005
First of all let me say that this doesn't get five stars because I reserve 5 stars for things like Luther's "A Mighty Fortress" and other works that have stood the test of time. You know what I am talking about, Aaron. What I do know is that the music found on this album honestly, accurately, and authentically represents the heart of Aaron Shust. This music is not contrived. I have heard better voices and witnessed better guitar playing ability, but Aaron, with his rich vocals and able song-writing, offers us something that we can easily hang our hearts on and sing at the top of our lungs. The lyrics are reverant and well-directed. The tunes are memorable. The songs teach about God's character and nature. I met Aaron a couple of years ago at a camp where he led music and as a youth director I took some kids from the church. I don't know Aaron well, but what I saw of him and the way he brought people before the Throne gives creedence to and validates his music. I doubt that he cares what you may or may not think about his abilities. In fact I would venture to say that if you are buying the album to hear him, he would rather you not buy it. If you do buy this album (which I recommend) may your listening turn to praise.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUSIC FOR GOD, September 16, 2005
Aaron Shust has broken into a very difficult industry with an album that can only be described as phenomenal. Not flashy - phenomenal. As a matter of fact, this one will fall under the radarscopes of many Christian music watchers, because they're looking for something that stands out from the crowd in a spectacular way, that they can add smoke and lights to and draw a big crowd. And what Aaron offers is heart. He does it in a way that is moving, poetic, sometimes big, sometimes quiet - but always honest. The kind of music God enjoys.
Sometimes Aaron is acoustical, sometimes electronic; sometimes he reminds you of a funky Beatles song or 70's rock n' roll; sometimes he's got a lot of percussion and a strong beat; sometimes he adds the female vocals of Candi Pearson - he mixes it up. But always, always the sound is heartfelt and honest. He's not playing this music for you and me, like it or not. He's playing it the way David danced before the Lord. He's playing it for the King. But he's letting you and me listen in, and join in, hopefully. That's worship.
You know, I don't know if God boogies, or even if He dances. My guess is He does because David did, and he was imitating God just like we're supposed to do, and he did that in the Spirit. Anyhow, if God does dance, I'll bet He's dancing to Aaron's music. If you play this in your worship time - personal or otherwise - you'll rock. But then, at other times, you'll float. It's that kind of album. My personal favorite is track 4, "Let the People Praise," which Aaron almost didn't include because he thought it might not be good enough. I think it's the best one on the album. All the songs will help you worship God better. And He'll dig that.
Waitsel Smith
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