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Grace Exhaled is the sophomore album from Angela Josephine. Her writing and production are literally an art form. Angela varies in style and this album deserves a close listen as you may not completely get it all at first, but after a few plays, you’re hooked!
The album opens with More Than Today, a poppy CCM tune with an 80’s throwback feel that works well!. On the heels of the first track is Live and Breathe, a little gentler song that reminds us of why we’re here – to live and breathe and move and sing praises to the One. It has a nice hook and sets a joyful mood. Mind Over Mercy begins with a catchy and somewhat familiar piano riff. It sets the mood for a smooth and jazzy number, with the best hook of the album and excellent musicianship.
Angela takes a classic, Come Thou Font, and adapts it for the dulcimer. It’s just beautiful, with a sound of joy, longing, and hope all rolled up into one. I would have loved to have heard more than the 42 seconds! It does serve as a prime introduction to Glory, Lord. Glory has a simple and effective refrain that will have you singing along, raising your hands, and dancing before the King. It has an old-fashioned revival sound, begging listener participation. This song bears repeating, over and over again, in a chorus of praise!
House of Hope is a cute little Amy Grant-ish ditty celebrating the House of Hope, a ministry to teens. The simple acoustic guitar with Angela’s smooth voice really sets the stage for a well produced song. The instrumental title track follows, telling the story of redemption in music. It starts timidly, building and building like our lives growing through grace, to the hope and happiness in Christ Jesus. Instrumental music should paint a picture and this song does! Every listener may come away with a slightly different feeling as is the joy of a well done instrumental.
Angela has an exceptionally clear tone to her voice, and this is most apparent on On a January, a story of beginnings told in song. She then covers Joni Mitchell’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem, a definite good choice. Her voice is similar in style, and does the song true justice. The difference is that, once again, she sings with a hope and joy that are evident whereas Mitchell’s version had a doomsday feel.
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I’ve never been a big fan of spoken word on a pop record, if it's going to be included, it's usually better to make the song a hidden track like an after thought because musical continuity is broken, but I don’t think Angela had that in mind. To her the music is art, so speaking was a natural thing to do. The Word is well delivered and the song is strong as well. She obviously has some theatrical training, and this track probably goes over quite well in concert.
Fierce Trust has extreme radio potential. It takes a little while to build, but has another wonderful hook that drives the song. Another keeper is Give Her Back Her Life, a song of a life redeemed. The lyrics are current and relevant to all of us. Hope is the theme of this album, and nowhere is it more evident that on this angst-filled ballad. Angela’s voice is so pure and innocent here, with a quiet strength of conviction that is full of compassion for the hurting. It leads into The Anointing, which has us reflect for a minute in another spoken word break. Angela has a real talent for conveying passion in prose. Anointing brings us down to a meditative state, changing the mood from the hurt in others to introspection at our own guilt.
The CD ends on a WOW note, with Enough, a deep and beautiful piece. It’s a quiet “wow”, said with awe and respect. All of Angela’s lyrics are scripturally based, but the lyrics here sum up the Gospel succinctly. This is a perfect closer. The cello is magnificent and sets such a wonderful mood where a bare piano shines. It is finished, that’s enough. And it’s enough to leave you reflective and on your knees. My bet is the producer wanted a passionate performance above all, and the result was masterful!
Grace Exhaled is polished and well worth adding to your CD collection. Additionally, her CD design is well thought out and another reason why we should purchase CDs and not just buy the downloadable mp3’s. Angela’s God-given voice combined with intelligent lyrics and catchy hooks augurs well for her musical future. |
