Review - Steven Curtis Chapman - "Beauty Will Rise"

Have you ever peered into someone else's hurt? Just for a second even? Have you ever caught a glimpse of something that you truly believed exceeded your deepest hope.

We don't like to talk about these types of things.

Our American spirituality (just like our "every man for himself" mentality) has taught us that we shouldn't show weakness in our belief. But on the contrary it's pretty amazing how dealing with our deepest questions draws us closer and closer to God. 

There is a hope that is deep and it is in Christ.

You know when someone truly believes - because when they enter that hurt... that deep deep well of hurt - the hope is even deeper. 

I've never seen that hope so well displayed in a record as in "Beauty Will Rise" - Steven Curtis Chapman's latest project. 

I don't typically review albums in this form. Even though I make my living in music, I'm much more prone to recommend a book title than a record. And frankly, I wouldn't throw this title out for just anyone. It's full of truth in pain, hope in sorrow. 

In addition to it's worthy themes, it really impresses me musically as well. Chapman takes his legacy of well-produced pop studio records and strips away the gloss coating. His voice is rigid at times, clearly in pain. I wouldn't doubt if he accepted first takes on his vocal tracks. He emotes heartache that's welcome. Anyone knowing his tragedy of losing a daughter believes every word that he sings - but somehow he takes it a step further in the raw arrangements of these cuts. 

Several songs stick out. One that I'll mention is "February 20th" I think it's fascinating how Chapman focuses on the day his daughter comes to know Christ rather than the day she passes into eternity. He details the simplicity of the day and his daughters eagerness to meet Christ. 

Chapman clearly understands that the well of hurt compares none to the well of hope. And the deepest of hope lies in redemption. 

Check out the newest record for Steven Curtis Chapman - "Beauty Will Rise"