Isaacs - Heroes, ReviewsCD Review

Sep

2004

Isaacs - Heroes

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Label - Gaither Music Group
Producer - Don Cook

I've always been a fan of the Isaacs, not because of what they achieved through their music, but the approach they always took to their songwriting. The group has never walked away from the daily struggles in life, as apparent in songs like "It Is Well (Elisha's Song)" and "Stand Still". Their latest offering, and first for Gaither Music Group, continues in the same path, as well as dipping their hand in a little modern country and folk sounds. The album was produced by Don Cook (Brooks & Dunn, Lonestar, Alabama) and kicks off with "Friend Till the End", a Nickel Creek-esque sounding country tune. "Great Is They Reward" takes things back to their bluegrass roots and finds the group never sounding better.

For the most part, the album slows down quite a bit. The hefty amount of ballads isn't necessarily a bad thing. The group sounds fantastic. However, the pacing on the CD does tend to suffer from one slow song after another. "Peace Like a River" and "Half Day Away" feature beautiful harmonies and strong songwriting. "Yours and Mine" has a familiar melody line, and a lyric that has Sonya and Lily exchanging lines in an answer and response flow.

The real highlights in the album come from the first two singles. "Heroes" is the first Southern Gospel single, and the song speaks of the everyday heroes in life, such as caretakers of handicapped individuals and adopting parents, most of whom never see the praise that is due them. "Peace" is about the need for peace in our lives, and it speaks most specifically about alcoholism and depression, and how it affects the lives of those we love as well. It is the group's first mainstream country single.

Overall, Heroes is a more than spectacular album. My only complaint is the lack of upbeat tunes, but that is only a minor quibble for an album chock full of tasty lyrical treats and beautiful harmonies.

Reader Comments

I agree with Chris, this is probably the best Isaacs recording. My little girl loves "Hereos." She always asks to listen to the "Super Hero". LOL!

My one gripe is I found a few of the songs treading the fine line between gospel and crossover. I never have been able to really get into crossover songs. I like songs that are straight gospel...but that's just me.

This is a great recording and I pretty much agree with the rating.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/01/2004

I didn't find the album that appealing. I like the Isaacs. Actually, they were the reason I started listening to bluegrass music. The first thing I heard by them was "He Ain't Never Done Me Nothin But Good." I thought the title was kind of strange, but the lyrics were cool. Soi I went out and bought whatever I could find, which at that time was only the Stand Still album.

It saddens me to say that Heroes, though, seems to have stretched to new limits, some of which I'm not too crazy about. In my opinion, too many of the songs seem more like crossovers than SG music, and in some, I don't even see the gospel message at all.

I like the songs "Friend To The End," "If That Don't Make You Wanna Go," and "Sweet HolySpirit." "Yours and Mine" is kind of a toss-up for me. I like the song, but it's almost a song I'd be hesitant to call gospel even though its intentions are well-meant. It is pretty though!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/04/2004

Thumbs Down!!! to this Isaacs project.

Come one guys... you can do better than this.

I've been an Issacs fan for years, but you're getting out of your league.

Remember your roots and what has worked for you in the past. Also, remember the SG/Bluegrass fans who've put you where you are today.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/04/2004

Please guys. That was the whole point of signing with Gaither Music Group, and that was to get their music out to new audiences.

Phil, what is it that you don't like about the album? This is still a very SG/Bluegrass recording stylistically. Is it the lyrics?

I for one appreciate the more life-driven lyrics, as opposed to the same-old "cross-blood-return" lyrics. Give me more meat that deals with life issues.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/04/2004

I have never been a fan of vague lyrics. Steven Curtis Chapman, one of CCMâ€™s legendary artists, sings songs with life lyrics, but blatantly point people to Christ. But in some of these songs, say for instance, â€œPeaceâ€â€¦yes, youâ€™re asking people to pray that they find peaceâ€¦but the song doesnâ€™t tell you WHERE to find peace, unless I missed it somewhere! I still thoroughly enjoy listening to the CD, but I did not find a lot of meat with it. The Isaacs have always had meaty lyricsâ€¦â€Stand Stillâ€, â€œIt is Wellâ€, â€œFrom the Depths of my Heartâ€, â€œHe Understands my Tearsâ€, â€œIâ€™ve Come to Take You Homeâ€, etc. But other than a few songs, there isnâ€™t much meat to me on this recording. Beauty is in the eye, or in this case, the ear of the beholder. If you find a lot of meat in this recording, then thatâ€™s great, I am glad. But for me, I find a lot of fluff, lyrically.