Chris Taylor

There are very few, if any, CCM artists that describe their lives like this: “I wasn’t looking for God ever. I started going the other direction at birth.” The refreshingly honest statement is simply the tip of the iceberg when discussing Taylor’s debut offering, Take Me Anywhere. Since interning at Soul Survivor church alongside worship leader Matt Redman, Taylor has been turning heads everywhere quietly and with good reason. Honesty and simplicity reign throughout the album, more than making up for the over-polished, sometimes generic sound.

Take Me Anywhere is musically an acquired taste for those not enthused by the current state of CCM music. The big choruses, half-whispered vocals, and acoustic foundation reminiscent in just about every related album for the last decade appear here in full force. Listening to this album is fairly easy; it’s un-intrusive and certainly doesn’t challenge your perceptions about what CCM could be. That said, there’s a quiet comfort here that manages to grab you by mid-album. It’s hard to express but easy to recognize. There’s something really sincere about Take Me Anywhere that manages to transcend your apprehension.

Although initially little comes alive from this album, after a few listens many of the tracks begin to stand out. The gentle “Turn Me Around” and “Safe” are soft pleas with the maker for life lived better while “Mysteries” joyfully celebrates the love God has for us and His intimate knowledge of our hearts. The lush feel of “Found” takes on an almost Colplay-ish vibe, distracted from only by it’s “play it safe” nature. The somber but up-tempo presentation of the title track teases something explosive and even though it never quite manages to do it, it commands more attention with each repeated listen.

Chris Taylor has crafted an album that speaks with a humble heart and in the end, that’s what will resonate with most music lovers. In many ways you are reminded of artists like Aaron Sprinkle and Jason Morant. The heart of these songs is revealed more and more each time around and while it has the potential to be amazing, it’s just so buried in studio grandeur that it has a hard time being heard. When Take Me Anywhere connects though, it becomes a powerhouse. For that moment, in an odd way, it leaves you wanting more, hence warranting repeated listens. If you find that you are particularly drawn to the work of Mercy Me, FFH, Lincoln Brewster, or the aforementioned artists (who get lost in the shuffle a bit more than the others) then you may find Chris Taylor a welcome addition to your music collection. If you are looking for something different and unique, I suggest passing on by.

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