This week we have a great review of Nichole Nordeman's latest CD.
Just as the CD is not one to miss, neither is this review!

THIS MYSTERY - NICHOLE NORDEMAN (2000)
by Jason Ewert
In our day, artistry has become blurred because of an entertainment
industry which demands that artists make money fast. Those who fail
this test are tossed into the trash bin, an unpleasant picture for
young hopefuls. This results in an enormous group of musicians
churning out music that fits with the chart-topping trends: popular
today, forgotten tomorrow. And once they are gone, their only legacy
is that they "made it" in the music biz; soon, however, even that is
forgotten as music listeners go from one craze to another.

Enter Nichole Nordeman. New on the scene in 1998 with her Wide Eyed
debut, she defied the status quo by asking questions that
discomforted listeners; even shocking them at times with lines such
as, "I've lied if I've denied the common ground I've shared with him"
(speaking of Thomas the disciple) and "Why does it keep getting
harder to say thanks?" Nichole was not rebelling against God and His
plan, but simply voicing those nagging questions that bother every
person at some point in their life, a bold step that most of us are
too feeble to take.

On her most recent album, This Mystery, Nichole continues the journey
which began on Wide Eyed. Time has left its mark on her as her
questions are more mature, advanced, and balanced. The album's title
track is a fine example of this growth: "Do You wish, do You want us
to breathe again? / Do You cry, do You hope for all things made
new? / Try and try to invoke us to live in You / That we might be the
hands and feet of this mystery." "Tremble" is another song that
throws out an uncomfortable query: has modern worship lost the
reverence for God in its emphasis on informality? While her previous
songs grappled with the validity of her faith, Nichole now struggles
to live out those beliefs.

Mark Hammond, the producer of Wide Eyed, returns with an equally
excellent job of creating an atmosphere that complements Nichole's
talents without losing the power of a single lyric. The songs "Small
Enough" (a duet with Fernando Ortega) and "Every Season" are good
specimens of production work that uses every tool available. A
soothing vocal/strings background lays out the words to "Small
Enough" ("Oh great God, be small enough to hear me now"),
whereas "Every Season" relies on piano to bring out the message that
God is working in us regardless of our feelings. As is evident in
This Mystery's material, Mark Hammond's talent for arranging more
than makes up for any weakness as a musician.

It's hard to find anything to criticize on this album; at least,
anything worth mentioning. Yes, Nichole is still growing in her
faith; yes, Nichole is still growing musically. But it is impossible
not to admire her courage and hunger she has to know her Savior more.
This Mystery will take you on a journey of faith and teach you about
life and the questions life has to offer. It's a journey worth
taking, even if you've already travelled down this avenue; you will
find yourself learning more.

Find out more about Nichole Nordeman at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/nicholenordeman


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Solo EP - dc Talk [4/24]

WORSHIP: http://cMusicWeb.com/worship
SONICPRAISe - SONICFLOOd [4/10]
Over Under Everything - Circadian Rhythm [4/24]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO CHARTS
> Jaci takes #1 from the Newsboys and great singles by
> Rebecca St. James and Switchfoot stand still at #7 and #8.
1. Every Time I Fall - Jaci Velasquez
2. Joy - Newsboys
3. My Life - PlusOne
4. Shaken - Rachael Lampa
5. These Thousand Hills - Third Day
6. One Like You - Audio Adrenaline
7. Reborn - Rebecca St. James
8. Love is the Movement - Switchfoot
9. Can't Erase It - Jars of Clay
10. Make It Last Forever - Avalon

SOURCE: CCM Update (http://www.ccmupdate.com/)


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
• New Film Review - Remember the Titans:
http://cMusicWeb.com/filmtv/rememberthetitans
• New Full Interview - The Normals:
http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative/normals/interview.shtml
• New Full Interview - The Elms:]
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/theelms/interview.shtml
• New Review - This Mystery - Nichole Nordeman
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/nicholenordeman/reviews.shtml


I know there's not much in this release of cMusicMail, but it's a
quiet week in Christian music. However, get ready for much more from
cMusicWeb.com and cMusicMail. Thanks for reading cMusicMail, and we
look forward to sharing the latest info with you. If you have any
comments or questions, please reply to this e-mail or send them to
webmaster@... We'd love to hear from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb