Shawn McDonald - Roots

awesome CD!

what can one say about the voice of Shawn McDonald? He beautfully expresses the heart of a follower of Jesus Christ. September 23, 2008

Excellent musicianship.

In a time where CCM music seems to be dominated by a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all brand of pop-rock, I appreciate hearing a great Christian artist with worshipful lyrics and a creative brand of acoustic-alternative-folk-rock or something. Whatever the genre (and when an album is hard to define in terms of other artists, it's generally a very good thing), "Roots" comes off as an extremely enjoyable album. By no means is it perfect, since sometimes the (very subdued) electric guitars and interesting drum tracks detract from the sound occasionally. Unfortunately, I can't help but picture Toby Mac in the studio with "Greed," and sometimes the strings are a bit too heavy on songs like "Waltz in 3." But Shawn's jazzy vocal melodies and smooth acoustic guitar really makes for quite a creative style, and the strings are cool nonetheless, with some interludes that are just downright relaxing. It's fresh, cool, and chill. No where is the listener assaulted with bland electric guitars and driving drum beats. It's my first Shawn McDonald CD, so I don't know how it compares to his other music, but I do know this: It's good. All of it. Some of it is excellent, some of it is only good, but none of it is mediocre or bad. Pick it up if you want a good listen. June 16, 2008

It's OK...

I actually received this album in the mail before I received "Simply Nothing." I had heard a few songs from "Simply Nothing" and decided to purchase both. I had listened to the 30 second snippet's here on Amazon, and I actually purchased two mp3's as well. So I thought the album would be promising.

This is not a praise and worship album. I didn't just flip through all the songs waiting until I got to one I liked, I listened to the whole album, thoroughly. After the first couple hearings, I noticed something very major. HE DOESN'T SAY "JESUS" THE WHOLE ALBUM. Not even one time!! Come on now, every Christian album should say the name of Jesus atleast once. But, he does say Lord and God, so it's not that bad. I think all and all, there is about 9 mentions all together consisting of God, King, or Lord. Hence the 3 star rating. I do understand that we all know who he's talking to and about, but that doesn't negate the fact that we should be proclaiming the name of Jesus, especially if we are in a position of selling records.

On the other hand, Simply Nothing was more original, and it felt like Shawn was pouring his heart out on the tracks, not to mention, he said the name of Jesus a lot, even on the first song! A negative aspect about Simply Nothing was Shawn's pronunctiation of words. He did a much better job pronouncing words regular on the Root's album.

This CD however has some good tunes, and some good lyrics. Not as passionate, and a little preachy at points, but nevertheless an overall OK album. I'll give you my rating for each song(5/5 the highest) and a word or two about the beat and lyrics. Remember it's only my opinion.

1. Clarity 3/5 - Nice beat, good lyrics.

2. Captivated 5/5 - One of the best songs on the album.

3. Wash Me Clean 4/5 - Great lyrics, he sings about the blood. The blood of Jesus Christ that is, since it was a little obscure:)

4. Shadowlands 4/5 - He sings Psalms 23. The only Song Lord and God are mentioned.

5. Light 4/5 - My favorite song, has a wierd remix in the middle. Jesus if the Light of course, and Shawn sings from Jesus perspective.

6. Waltz in 3 5/5 - I love this song. It has a beutiful sound with the string cortet including a viola, a violin, string bass, banjo piccalo, and of course, a guitar. The lyrics are about trusting in God.

7. Roots 3/5 - Sings Matt 4:4, James 1:24, and Ps 1:3. I expected something different than the 30 second snippet. The beat is cool, I just expected something different.

8. Slow Down 1/5 - I guess this is some type of song for fast paced women. Slow down. It sounds like a daddy missing his daughter, she's grown up, and isn't daddy's little girl any longer. He wishes she would slow down. Has nothing to do with the gospel of Christ.

9. Greed 1/5 - The beat is ok, but this isn't something I want to ride around singing in my car. I do agree with the lyrics, don't get me wrong, but maybe he shoud've just preached this sermon at his church then took an excerpt from it and put it on the album.

10. Time 3/5 - This song has it's foundation from Solomon's Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Nice tune.

11. Winter - 2/5 - Mellow tune, very laid back. I'm guessing the idea is it's a cold world, and only God can warm us up. Funny lyrics.

12. Hellelujah 5/5 - Sings the Beatitudes(Matt 5:3-12). Makes you imagine Jesus sitting on the mount teaching a huge group of hungry souls. Wish I was there.

Overall, like I said, it's OK. I would definetely recommend you have it in your collection. It's not terrible or anything. It's something you will listen to over and over, you'll just wish he said Jesus, and did more worship.

Jesus is God. May 10, 2008

Amazing!

I just hope that Shawn McDonald continues to be real, and does not try to be cool instead, just like almost every other "Christian" artist out there. May 6, 2008

Sadly disappointing

I was so disappointed overall... I was so excited when I bought it but upon listening to it, it was missing the usual Shawn fervor and passion... The majority of the songs are just slow and lifeless with a few exceptions being more upbeat and challenging. Alot of the songs were also not very deep or challenging like his music in the past...

Sadly to say, but his first and second albums were so much better than this one... March 17, 2008

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