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 Restore by Aaron & Amanda Crabb with an overall review score of 7.7 out of 10.
Album Information:
Aaron and Amanda Crabb are no strangers to ministry. Their music has crossed genres, generational boundaries, as well as denominational barriers. They have seen what the power of worship can do in the presence of thousands as well as calm their little daughter in a Vanderbilt trauma unit. They understand that worship is the breaking of ground to prepare for a seed to be sown.
Review:
Sitting nicely in the Southern Gospel and Country genres is the fourth studio album from Aaron and Amanda Crabb. Aaron is no stranger to this style of music as a singer with the Crabb Family for many years before branching into working with his wife. Over the last few years there have been some changes in the Crabb household which now sees them as parents to 4 children, musicians and pastors of their own church plant which started in 2014. It is a wonder then that this album was made because of their already busy schedules and workloads. However some people need the creative release and I think that this is the case for this couple, but it has also allowed them to write songs that speak to where their church is at, and also the wider Christian Audience.
The first thing that you notice when listening to this album is that these two really work together in harmony. It is the vocal harmonies on many of these songs that really sets this album apart from others, there is nothing particularly new about what they are doing in one sense, yet they are doing it very well with vocal ranges that work and sound brilliant.
Four of these tracks are co-written with Aaron and Amanda and the opening track “Time Flies” is one of these. This is a song about remembering to live in the moment and see the little things because before you know it life has flown by – this is particularly looking at it from a parents point of view that the lives of your children growing up flies past, don’t be too busy for them! This track sounds a little nostalgic and fits well with the overall theme of the album, at the same time it is quite a direct song that is not afraid of the message and beautifully sung by Amanda who takes lead vocals.
“Two Coats” takes the couple down to Louisiana musically with input from Aaron’s sister Terah Penhollow on the vocals. The track itself is about two different coats and taking off an old one and putting on the new one provided by Jesus. So this has a full on swamp feel to it complete with banjo and Aaron’s twin brother Adam providing some authentic harmonica that works really well. Fans of the Crabb family will know that this is a revisit of a song from their past, this new version sounds brilliant and I love the atmosphere brought to this track.
It is Aaron who has much of the lead vocal duties on this album with Amanda adding the harmonies throughout and that works well, where Amanda takes the lead it feels like the right song from this selection. So while Aaron’s voice works best in “The Water” and a number of other songs that have stories to tell, other tracks like “Restore Me” wouldn’t work with him taking the lead, and I think that they have made some wise decisions in the selection throughout.
“Restore Me” is the vision and the heart of this album. It brings a vulnerability that doesn’t always come through in the Southern Gospel genre, here there is a hearts cry for grace and mercy because not everything is as we thought it would be. This is followed by “Your Blood” which looks at the sacrifice of Jesus as being more than enough to rescue and restore us, adding to this strong theme for the album. Keeping with the vulnerability of Amanda’s vocals is also the worship track of “Kingdom Come” which speaks of us inviting the Kingdom into the issues of our lives and letting God’s glory settle on us. This is a great gentle worship track that at once feels familiar, passionate and something that I feel that I could sing in worship myself. With a lovely children’s choir arrangement at the end this really appeals and is a contender for the best track on the album.
“I’ve Seen What He Can Do” is one of those ballads involving children and an understanding of God. Initially this reminded me of “Butterfly Kisses” but as the track continues there are a number of comparisons with other songs from people like Steven Curtis Chapman and even Casting Crowns. It’s a great song that really stood out for me, because of the simplicity of the story and also the testimonial element of the track.
Another track that may be familiar is “Miracle” which is re-recorded for this album, originally appearing on their 2007 “After The Rain” album, so it’s not a new track, but absolutely beautiful and deserves a mention!
There are a number of brilliant tracks on this album that will encourage you to know that God is a big God and He has already paid the price to bring restoration to your circumstances. It may not be exactly what you expected, but it will be better! Yes they have recycled some material for this album, but i don’t feel cheated, instead I feel like they have added something new to these covers of songs that have been done before. Everything here sounds crisp and clear and explores a few different styles as well as sticking with what is known and loved.
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