Matt Maher

Matt Maher is primarily known as the “Your Grace Is Enough” guy in Christian circles. However, the album from whence that hit song came, Empty & Beautiful, was – sadly – underwhelming. Listening to it reminded one of those pre-Beatles album days, back when albums were nothing more than smart guy, record company profit making ventures, which included a few chart hits and little else. Granted, Empty & Beautiful was still better then much of what came out during the early, bad old album days –but not by much.

Expectations were slightly low for Maher’s second major label full-length. Not only was his Essential Records debut unfulfilling, but there was also the whole issue of sophomore jinx that came into play. But – surprise, surprise – Alive Again is an excellent new disc. The songs are consistently strong, the performances are inspired and Maher may escape the one-worship-hit-wonder label after all.

This new CD opens with the wonderful one-two punch of the title cut, followed by “Shout of the King”, which combine to act as an immediate energy jolt. “Alive Again” may describe the conversion experience, but it also applies to longtime Christ followers as well. Unfortunately, lethargy sets in with even the most on-fire believers, and – while we may not need to be completely born again – there is the necessity of spiritual revival from time to time. The very thought of Christ’s return, an event alluded to with “Shout of the King”, ought to wake even the soundest sleeper.

There are also a few more introspective tracks on this release, as well. “You were on the Cross” should be listened to by whiners everywhere. With its lyric, Maher compares and contrasts the everyday suffering of everyday life with Christ’s much more serious suffering on the cross. We modern day Christians may have it bad now and again, but nothing we go through will ever compare with the pain Christ went through on the cross.

Speaking of Christ on the cross, Maher also gives us a touching communion song with “Remembrance”. In my personal church experience, there have been few moments more moving than communion services. Singing worship music, as a way to prepare a heart for the pastor’s message, is an essential element within the Sunday model. But with communion, that worship is a stand-alone experience, if you will. The intense focus on Christ and His work at the cross is Christianity at its rawest and best, which always makes communion so special. Without a doubt, Maher’s new song will find its rightful place in many church communion services.

The variety of material on Alive Again bodes well for Maher’s artistic future. Christian music has more than enough (too many?) strict worship artists, yet not nearly enough well-rounded singer/songwriters. And while worship songs are so near and dear to my heart, Christian music’s narrow focus on creating so much praise music of late has made the industry appear a little on the insular side. How great is our God, indeed, but what does that mean to the stressed out neighbor on our street, or the depressed coworker at the office? Shouldn’t we also be real about our world? As much as we all enjoy going into the sanctuary and letting loose with praise songs, our lives are rarely as simple and contented as such song lyrics might make us appear. We must show the world a God that can make us alive again, especially when our heartbreak takes us to the edge of near (emotional) death experiences. With this new release, Matt Maher is pointing the church in that right direction.

Tagged as: Alive Again, Matt Maher

↓ One comment

#1 Andrew Greenhalgh on September 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 am

Nice review, Dan. I’m right there with you, being underwhelmed by Maher’s debut but pleasantly surprised by this record…Good stuff…

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