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Catholic Album Reviews

 

pop

New Day by Janelle

style: pop / contemporary praise
interesting facts: Janelle was the theme song singer at World Youth Day Canada '02 . Her husband Jason heads Life Vision Communications. Janelle and Jason are also featured in RoL's How We Met section!
my two cents: Excellent singing, lyrics, and production. Catholic musicians are still trying to "make it" into the mainstream of Christian music but Janelle came out punching with incredible production. Her music is as good, if not better, than top Christian music artists. She is also an incredible woman of God and she and her husband are two awesome Catholics working to spread the Kingdom! I recommend you get to know them better!
check out janelle's site: www.janelle.ca
check out jason's site: Life Vision Communications which provides media resources, music, programs and services for adults, youth and children around the world. Janelle's CD is also available here.
(Reviewed by Bobbi 2003)

 

hip hop

Massmatics is the first Catholic hip-hop compilation CD recorded. Produced by the infamous dUSt of phatmass.com, Massmatics displays the musical talent of numerous Catholic hip-hop artists who aren't ashamed to preach the Faith to the masses. For more info or to purchase the disc, log onto phatmass.com. Also be sure to check out the RoL interview with dUSt.

Massmatics Artists & Contact Info

DJ86 at bluemantleproductions.com
Fr Pontifex at frpontifex.com
manCHILD at marsill.com
MC Just at mcjust.com
Miko at maydbygod.com
Point 5 Covenant at point5covenant.com
Fr Stan Fortuna at francescoproductions.com
Rightrous B at righteousb.com
F.L.O.W. at flowministries.com
inDEED at priestprophetking.com
dUSt (executive producer) at phatmass.com
Fab da Eclectic (beatmakers/producer) at soundclick.com

 

country

No Harden Heart by Dawn VanName

Style: Acoustic Country/Rock
interesting fact: Starting at the age of 12, Dawn has 25 years experience of singing, playing guitar and writing songs. She has worked as a drug and alcohol counselor and a social worker but her greatest achievement is being a mom of five "fantastic kids". (See Dawn's autobio.)
my two cents: When I read that this CD was labeled as Acoustic Country Rock I didn't think I would care for it very much. However, after a few listens to the CD, it really grew on me. The base may be country but it also contains other musical flavorings making it more adaptable to a wider audience. Plus, the uplifting lyrics can't help but put a smile on my face. All in all, a good job!
check out the site: http://groups.msn.com/dawnvanname/welcome.msnw
buy the cd: http://www.cdbaby.com/dawnvanname
(Reviewed by Bobbi 9/05)

Arms of Love CD Single by Mark Mallett with Lea Mallett

style: Country/Adult Contemporary
interesting fact: Mark Mallett is a (Catholic) Christian music artist and this CD single is an excellent intro to his ability and talent as an artist. The disc has three songs "Arms of Love" which is based on the novel Arms of Love by Carmen Marcoux. The lyrics reflect the inner struggle and ultimate commitment to chastity between the two main characters. The disc also includes the title tracks from Marks' first two albums "Deliver Me from Me" and "Love Holds On".
my two cents: I have been inspired by Mark's tremendous faith and trust in God. It is not easy for a Catholic man to support a wife and 6 children working in an apostolate, but Mark and his family have been obedient and trusting in whatever God has asked of them. I'm sure you'll be hearing more about Mark soon!
check out his site: Mark Mallett.com
and buy the cd: The "Arms of Love" single and full length "Love Holds On"
(Reviewed by Bobbi 11/03)

 

inspirational/holiday

O Night Divine by Cousins in Christ

I received this CD in the mail and I was anticipating a satisfactory version of various Christmas songs sung by Catholic youth. I received much more than that! The opening track O Come O Come Emmanuel immediately made me sit up and take notice.

The Catholic music group "Cousins in Christ" is composed of family members John Paul Rudolph (20), Rebecca Meyer (19), Matthew Rudolph (18), Katie Meyer (17), and Stephanie Meyer (15). The group, along with narrator David Rudolph (16), has created a moving collection of timeless Christmas classics.

The arrangements of the songs range from sweeping chorus and various instrumentation to a simple piano and the solo voice of John Paul in O Holy Night, my personal favorite. Regardless, the talent of the Cousins is richly displayed and a joy to listen to.

When you consider the young age the artists and the independent label of the CD, this is a truly quite an accomplishment and the disc itself is of fair greater quality than other indie productions we've received. I highly recommend this CD as an addition to your holiday collection. It has certainly become a favorite of mine! Kudos to the Cousins!

Songs on the disc include: O Come O Come Emmanuel, Joy to the World, O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Gesu Bambino, What Child Is This, Ave Maria, Away in A Manger, Lullay Thou Little Tiny Child and Dona Nobis Pacem.

O Night Divine can be purchased at Amazon.com or directly from the Cousins at www.roseofsharonmedia.com.
(Reviewed by Bobbi 12/05)

 

children's music

Tiny Hands, Precious Feet by Rose Maria Rudolph & Family

style: Baby's First Lullabies
interesting fact: From their website I read, "Rose Marie spent several years contemplating the words of Humanae Vitae and Familiaris Consortio, which encourage the foundation of the family and the sanctity of life. She wished to put the beautiful words and teachings of these encyclicals to music, but remained uninspired. After twenty years of marriage and six bouncing baby boys, Rose Marie faced hospitalization following a difficult hysterectomy. While recovering, she found herself comforting a woman in the bed next to her, who had recently undergone an abortion. This woman's grief and repentance suddenly revealed to Rose Marie the music she had been hoping to write. 'Our Catholic faith is a gift,' she says, 'It is a blueprint for life, a blueprint for happiness.' To her, it was as if God had closed one door, but opened several windows. She lost the dream of having more children, but out of this was born the original work, We Give Our Lives to You (One More Soul)." It is amazing how God can use one soul to touch many others.
my two cents: This is not a glossy studio project. Rose Marie and family aren't stars but they're the friends you'd sit beside at church or see at the grocery store. I especially enjoyed the fact that their CD was a family affair. Rose's husband Steve sings one of the tracks and there are children's voices throughout - from the prayer narrations at the beginning of songs to the added song vocals. (If I could change one thing, I'd add a lyric sheet.) The second half of the CD contains instrumental tracks of each song, perfect for moms who want to sing the songs themselves or just have some instrumental background music.
check out their site: Rose of Sharon Media.com
check out the interview: There is an excellent interview with Rose Marie Rudolph at Catholic Mom.com.
buy the cd: Tiny Hands, Precious Feet
(Reviewed by Bobbi 2004)