Ronnie Freeman

Ronnie Freeman has talent: he can obviously write songs (aside from writing or co-writing all the songs on the album, Freeman has written for Avalon and other artists) and his voice is pleasant to the ear. The fact of the matter, however, is that as I write this, I am listening for the eighth time to God Speaking, Freeman’s sophomore album, and I have yet to be able to sing along with, repeat any lyrics, or emotionally connect to any of the songs. Overall, the album is… nice.

Listening to Freeman’s album is like sitting in a coffeehouse with a live musician playing off in the corner. The musician’s music fades into the background as you focus on your book, newspaper, or conversation. There is nothing to pull you, draw you, or to focus your attention from the entertainment in front of you to the music a couple feet away.

I won’t deny the fact that God Speaking has potential; the piano arrangements are very beautiful. However, each song’s melody has a striking resemblance to other songs. For instance, from the very first time through “Fight,” I could only think of Cyndi Lauper’s song “Time After Time.” The melodies are that similar. Other tracks reminded me of songs by Casting Crowns, Big Daddy Weave, and Chris Tomlin. Similarities can work in an artist’s favor at times because a certain sound appeals to a certain crowd. In Freeman’s case it is a negative; so much of the listener’s focus goes to what the song sounds like that the focus is taken off of Freeman’s music.

Like I mentioned before, God Speaking has potential. Freeman is obviously very passionate about what he does. When speaking about this album he has said, “I hope these songs will inspire people to reflect, to come to that crossroads of faith where they examine their own hearts and lives…I want to call them into a new place. A place, where together, we can hear God Speaking.” You can hear that passion in Freeman’s voice when he sings, but his lyrics and melodies lack that very passion he speaks of. It wasn’t until I read the press release that I got a good sense of what Freeman was trying to accomplish. An artist should not have to explain what their art is trying to do—explanation takes away the beauty of the project. Art should be able to speak for itself; it should convey its message without the artist’s commentary. However, without explanation there is no connection for the listener to God Speaking. And for an album that is supposed to be about a spiritual journey and connection with God, this is a major flaw.

All that I have previously said aside, my number one complaint with this album is the lyrics. For the secular artist, the biggest challenge is to address the topic of love and life in a unique way, while avoiding clichés. For the Christian artist, the hardest thing they will overcome is addressing faith-based issues without the use of “Christianese.” Too often, Christian artists take well-known phrases from the Bible, or from older hymns and choruses, put them to music, and call them their own.

Freeman is guilty of just that. Take for instance his song “My Inheritance:” What is silver and gold/or anything I could hold / Compared to You, compared to You / What is fame and success / It’s all just vain emptiness / Compared to You, compared to You / All that You hold in store / Is all that I want / O Lord / I will shout / I will sing / Jesus You’re my everything / You’re my treasure / My Inheritance / I am rich, I am blessed / In Your love and faithfulness / You’re my treasure and forever / You are my inheritance.” This use of cliché phrases is typical throughout the album.

Ronnie Freeman is talented and his album has potential, but by missing out on key points with his listeners and producing predictable music and lyrics, he has made himself simply a good voice.

↓ 3 comments

#1 Chris Unthank on July 5th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

I have to majorly disagree with this album review.

How can one not connect with songs like “God Speaking” or “Sober Me”? How are either of those songs cliched or written in christianese?

I fully understand that this album is nowhere near a perfect recording or the most impressive this year - but to call this album unappealing isn’t doing the album justice.

#2 John Wofford on July 7th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

In the critic’s defense, if an album doesn’t fall into the category of one of the best releases of the year, then that means it’s got some mistakes, any of which COULD in fact make the album unappealing to someone whose not already a “hardcore fan” of that particular genre or artist.

While I understand that “Sober Me” is a heartfelt song, I also think that they do deal with images we’ve seen before– particular the reference to shadows and whatnot. That’s been used before by MANY, MANY people. Not to mention that the song walks a fine line between honest and whiny. It seems a bit more on the latter.

Again, everyone’s opinion matters, but it’s not as if the critics complaints were invalid.

#3 Chris Unthank on July 8th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

Um, the song’s not about shadows…it’s about the realization that a fall can happen before we realize it - and Ronnie wants to be continually sobered to that fact. That’s whiny? Wanting to make sure he lives a pure life and maintain a Christ-filled ministry is whiny? Wow.

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