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Producer: David Ponder
Label: Big Ten House of Music
Website: http://crosswaynet.com

The release of Beautiful Thing from CrossWay was one of the most anticipated releases in Southern Gospel for a multitude of reasons. First – fans wanted to know what the group would sound like on recording with new tenor Scott Rogers, as well as where their new management company, Big Ten Entertainment, would be taking them. Before the release of the album, CrossWay lost another one of its founding members, Chris Weaver, and the group had to delay the release of the recording yet again.

The time has now come for the world to hear the newest release from CrossWay, Beautiful Thing. Now officially a trio, the group had to refine their sound a bit. The album opens up with the pop-country sounding “70 X 7” which was written by frontman Matt McFarland. “On My Way to Heaven” follows next and features a strong vocal performance from Scott Rogers with a definitive country slant.

For the most part, Beautiful Thing takes off where CrossWay’s last recording (This I Know) left off. The group is a tad bit more progressive country sounding – more like a cross between Gaither Vocal Band and Rascal Flatts. This is most notably heard in tunes like the first radio single “Wherever You Are”, “Beautiful Thing”, and “Surrending.”

“Took It All Away” features a very strong vocal performance from Scott Rogers with special guest Annie McRae and is easily the strongest cut on the disc. The emotion displayed in Scott’s voice, and Annie’s response and play on his performance makes for an amazing moment.

Even traditional fans will find a lot to love on Beautiful Thing, such as the old-school sound of “Hallelujah Side” and the melodically strong “When I Hear the Thunder.”

Lyrically – the group found even better songs than last time. Again – the strongest cut is Annie McRae’s “Took It All Away” which speaks of finding hope in Christ alone even if he “took it all away”. However, Matt McFarland has turned in some great songs as well, such as “70 X 7” and “Greatest Love”. The group seems to tackle the topic of finding security and who they are in Jesus only – most specifically on songs like “That’s All”, “Beautiful Thing”, and “Thank God I’m Not Jesus.”

The group has truly been moved by the lyrics behind “Thank God I’m Not Jesus”. I have mixed feelings about the song as a whole. I think it tackles a heavy subject, but I’m not sure it’s the most solid song on the album. There are some major melody issues as well as a lack of a memorable hook. However, I know that the song is touching the group and means a lot to them – however to me, it is the only misstep on an album chock full of hit songs.

In the end, the album may not have a multitude of songs that speak about the blood, the cross, or heaven, but it does feature a lot of songs about finding hope and who we are through the love of Jesus thanks to songwriting talent from the likes of Tony Wood, Jim Brady, Barry Weeks, David Ponder, Gordon Mote, Annie McRae, Mark Harris, and many more.

Thanks to the production work of David Ponder and the group’s current management team, CrossWay created another fantastic recording that fans of good music will love.

Track listing:

1. 70 X 7
2. On My Way to Heaven
3. That’s All
4. Beautiful Thing
5. Took It All Away (featuring Annie McRae)
6. Greatest Love
7. Hallelujah Side
8. When I Hear the Thunder
9. Wherever You Are
10. Surrendering
11. Thank God I’m Not Jesus

Reader Comments

I am in total agreement with Joe. This project has some of the most powerful material on it I have ever heard. "Thank God I'm Not Jesus" is the favorite of most of the young people I know. Personally, "When I Hear the Thunder" and "On My Way to Heaven" are the two I can most relate to.
"Took It All Away" is awesome and when Scott performs it live there is seldom a dry eye in the house. AWESOME! $.02 more:)

Becky
Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth!

It's not that I didn't like the concept of "Thank God I'm Not Jesus". I applaud CrossWay for taking the risk and recording the song. However, I just feel like the song was poorly written, and the melody is especially hard to get into. I feel like they could have found a song that conveyed the same message yet was written better.

I am a fan of anything CrossWay does, so it goes without saying that I love the new c.d. "Thank God I'm not Jesus" wasn't on my pre-release and it has taken me a while, but I have come to like it too. I have noticed that for some reason, the young fans really like that song. List me with the ones whose favorite is "Hallelujah Side".

So was Chris Weaver's voice taken out of the final mix on the CD?

Chris is not on the final cut. Glad I have a pre-release. He'll be missed, but I understand his reasons for going.
Back to "Thank God I'm Not Jesus"...not everyone is going to like every song, melody, or lyrical content. If they did everyone would have the same favorites. I love everything about the song, because it will make people do a lot of self-examination. I know it did for me.

Becky
Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth!

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