One Man In The Middle brings you regular, unbiased and honest reviews of music albums and EPs from Christian artists and musicians in the UK and worldwide. Here we have Dialogue by Elizabeth Vincent with an overall review score of 7.9 out of 10.
Album Information:
Elizabeth Vincent released her debut EP ‘Dialogue’ composed of four songs that she wrote and produced herself. Elizabeth describes her music as her conversations with God, inspiring the title ‘Dialogue’. She hopes that this public proclamation of her personal conversations and post-conversational reflections would encourage dialogue in the lives of the listeners between them and God and them and others.
The EP is a journey beginning with her realisation of the depth of the privilege it is to call God “Father” in the powerful song ‘Father, Can I Call You That’ and ending with her expressing her vast contentment in Christ in her stripped back, live ballad ‘Joy Is In The King’. Sandwiched between these heartfelt songs are her single ‘More Like You’ and the beautifully convicting Track 3: ‘Love’. ‘Dialogue’ has been praised for its authenticity, versatility and evident reflection of her relationship with God.
Review:
Dialogue is the debut album from UK artist Elizabeth Vincent. Comprised of just four tracks it is certainly an impressive debut. Kicking off with “Father, Can I Call You That?” this project might be short but it’s definitely got depth. This track was initially released in December 2015 and charted in the AStepFWD UK Chart in the top 10 in January. This track explores the relationship that we have with God, can we really call Him Father, is it OK, even though we have a Father already. This is an honest exploration of this dynamic of what it means to be a child of God.
There is a stunning clarity that comes across in the words of “More Like You” which is a song well defined by it’s title, the desire to be more like Jesus, to be less of ourselves and not to chase the ‘role models’ in the world around us. The clarity comes across in the great vocals with some lovely harmonies in the chorus, simply accompanied on the piano this is an inspiring track. This piercing self examination continues in “Love”. Of course with that title it could be any kind of love, but here on this recording the lyrics are sharp and aimed at introspection and honesty as she declares that she loves God, but then asks do I really if I don’t show love to my brother…That’s a tough question, but it’s no less than Jesus asks and the passage in Corinthians confirms – our love is an empty word if it doesn’t bring about action. Once again this is simply brought with a piano melody and vocal.
So far it’s clear that this is a dialogue to God as all these things are questions that we could ask, although we fear that the answer might be exactly what we expect it to be. The EP finishes with a live track that keeps with the conversational style which is a declaration of being content with God and not needing to chase the things other chase. As this is a live track everything is stripped back, there are a few additional backing harmonies and the trusty piano, but this gives Elizabeth a chance to show us exactly how engaging she can be with just her and a piano – and it really is.
All the tracks are fairly similar, I think this fits the topics of this EP and it’s only four tracks, but I think a longer project would benefit from picking up the pace. With this will come even more expression from the vocal. The last track on this EP is called “Joy Is In The King” and I expected something more celebratory, to express the joy more passionately that to just sing it. However Elizabeth has shown what she can do and it’s early days, but there is potential to take this to the next level. I love the vocal and piano combination, it’s simple and timeless and there is a great tone to Elizabeth’s voice that carries a lot of conviction with it. Check out this new artist on youtube and bandcamp and support her by purchasing the tracks. Lets help a talent to flourish!
For track listing & snippets, ranking breakdown and more, check out onemaninthemiddle.com
