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CD Review
Carried Me
The Worship Project – Jeremy Camp
©2004 BEC Records, Seattle, WA.
Review by Jo van Leerdam
Jeremy Camp is a 24 year old artist from Indiana who won the 2004 Dove
Awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “New Artist of the Year”. He
has a strong voice and communicates with passion when he sings. His
vocal style can be compared to Todd Agnew or Mark Hall, the lead
vocalist of Casting Crowns.
Carried Me is an album dedicated to the praise and glory of the Lord, expressing faith and trust that Camp has had to learn the hard way. In 2001 he lost his first wife, Melissa, to ovarian cancer just months after the couple were married. When he sings “Jesus, You have carried me when I could not stand” and “You are the only one that brings me peace”, you know that Jeremy Camp really knows those things to be true. Camp has since remarried and rejoices in the blessings that God has given to him through his new wife, Adrienne (lead vocalist of The Benjamin Gate) and their first child, born late in 2004.
This album grew out of the faith and learning that sorrow, trials and blessings bring to one’s life, but Camp is neither self absorbed nor introspective in his song writing. Every song on this album is entirely focused on the glory, power, righteousness, love and mercy of God. He sings “I want more of you and less of me”, words that are thematic of the whole CD. The lyrics of each song demonstrate Jeremy Camp’s heart for God and his desire to worship, serve, and submit fully to the Lord. Of the thirteen songs on the album, only five were written by Camp, but he delivers every word with sincerity and conviction. He covers some older worship songs with style, and even “You Are Worthy of My Praise” (which has been covered more times than I can count) has been given a refreshed and enthusiastic new sound.
This album is set apart from many other worship style albums in that it is not anything like a Pentecostal church service or a rock concert. The musical style varies from reflective acoustic ballads to more up-tempo guitar rock, the strong lyrics of each song being complemented by excellent and appropriate musical arrangement. There is a good variety of styles so that the album remains musically interesting and challenging for the duration. The title track “Carried Me” seems to be an anomaly in style from the rest of the album, but as this song is the album closer, the stylistic change is clearly designed to get the attention of the listener and point them clearly to Jesus as the merciful Saviour who carries us and plans for our spiritual safety in Him.
This CD would appeal to a very wide audience, ranging
from teens to their parents and families… maybe even some of the more
progressive grandparents out there! If you enjoyed Jeremy Camp’s earlier
album Stay (2002) then you’re sure to enjoy this one. If you haven’t
heard of him but you’re interested in God-focused lyrics and a good
beat, I’d give Carried Me my full recommendation.
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