Beloved

Since the beginning of studio time, since even before Carly Simon eschewed foundational garments on the iconic album cover of No Secrets, marketing executives have known that sex sells music. And although it should not be the case, female Christian artists stand a better chance of being signed to a major record label if they are young, thin, beautiful, and sexy in a restrained, wholesome sort of way because, of course, Christians do not conform to the world’s secular standards. (Please add a sarcastic tone to that last phrase.)

Which is why it’s unusual to review singers who appear on the promotional flyer singing into spatulas and wearing white face cream and pink curlers. Composed of a blond, former beauty queen, a frizzy-haired redhead, and an exceptionally well-preserved brunette grandmother, Beloved is more than an indie pop trio: it’s a musical, comedic entertainment ministry, a kind of hybrid jumble of Carol Burnett joins Point of Grace and puts on a Women of Faith conference. Their proclaimed mission is “Real Music for Real Women,” which is ironic since their pictures are airbrushed into epidural and orthodontic perfection.

It’s hard to know what is meant by “real music,” but if it means expressing the genuine emotions of everyday women who have humdrum lives and secret longings, than this album succeeds. “Have you asked yourself this question? What’s my part of a bigger plan? How can I make a difference? I don’t know, Lord, but here I am.” (”Wake the World.”) Although their vocals are no more outstanding than can be found in the solo seats of the choirs of most large congregations, and the arrangements could be duplicated by many a talented church praise band, the strength of Beloved is the artists’ ability to write lyrics that speak to the hearts of women mid-life and beyond, the same women who are likely to attend the group’s Atlanta-based annual faith retreats.

Wake the World has the requisite number of upbeat tracks, including released radio single “Love God, Serve Others, Share Your Story,” produced by Third Day legend Mac Powell. It’s on the chorus of fast songs like “I Dare You” and Israel Houghton’s “You Are Good” that the trio sounds most like Point of Grace, a comparison likely to befall any female singers clustered in happy harmony. The faster songs also seem to be flavored by, I dunno, a syrupy 1980’s electronic sound.

However, the group attains a certain poignant stride when they sing ballads like “You Are Holy” and “Favorite Thing.” Single member Amy Goins, who has prayed for a marriage and family for many years, was inspired by Proverbs 13:12 to write “Hope Deferred,” a raw plea perfectly backed by plaintive piano. “Alone with my thoughts is a dangerous place to be / Why haven’t I gotten what I deserved / Done all the right things, I’ve been a good girl / Now I should get my dues … This hope deferred makes my heart grow sick / Unrelenting longings that have been unfulfilled / But I’m trusting He sees how to work it out” (”Hope Deferred”). It’s in these emotionally naked moments that Beloved strikes a genuine chord with their listeners.

In an industry teeming with young female musicians, it’s nice to hear songs written by women who understand that, although their value to society fades with their beauty, their worth to God does not. Contrary to popular belief, musicianship doesn’t evaporate after the age of 30 and a size two dress. I hope they sell a gazillion albums.

↓ 4 comments

#1 Tracy Wilkerson on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 am

Ouch! 5 of 10! I love this record. It always surprises me that women are the first to attack other women. I guess sisters gotta watch their back.

#2 Matt on September 3rd, 2008 at 11:50 am

It’s important to read the review, not just the grade. The review ends with “I hope they sell a gazillion albums.” 5/10 here indicates an average album. It’s not a grading scale as in school with percentage grades, where 5/10 is an ‘F’.

So I guess I take issue with ‘women are the first to attack’ and such blanket statements. To say that ’sisters gotta watch their back’ without reading the interview is quite a disservice as the reader. It’s totally fine to disagree and we definitely encourage giving your viewpoints. But to miss the review entirely…

#3 Cindy on September 3rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Thank you for explaining the grading scale, Matt. “Average” is not a bad thing. My house is average. My lasagna is average. My height is slightly above average. My Martin D28 guitar is exceptional.

Tracy, you would need to listen to all the CDs that end up on my desk to understand whether or not this one is at a similar level to most of them, or whether it stands out as really exceptional.

I’m actually very glad that you love this record!

#4 John Wofford on September 3rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm

Thanks for the explanation of the rating scale, Matt. Question: shouldn’t we post our grading scale somewhere on the site, for future reference?

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