A Place to Belong (Worship CD review)

I was recently sent a new Worship CD for review: A Place to Belong by Lisa Troyer.

Lisa Troyer is a new-to-me singer/songwriter and president of Circle of Friends Ministries. The CD that I was sent is a companion CD to a newly published book by Lisa Troyer A Place to Belong: Out of Our Comfort Zone and into God’s Adventure (Barbour Publishing).

The concept behind Circle of Friends is to encourage women to form their own circle of friends for support, encouragement, and love.  This can be an especially important, but foreign concept for women who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and various other stressors.

In that light, I can understand the very mellow, calm tone that is felt throughout the entire album. I think it is intended to be a tender backdrop for introspection and reflection.

Personally, I prefer an album with more rhythmic variation and dynamics. The songs tended to blend into one another, with the notable exception of I Found Grace and to a lesser degree Lifting My Praise Up. Curiously enough, I noticed that both of these songs had different producers from the others. In general, however, there weren't really any memorable "hooks" or musical phrases that I caught on to. The lyrics were drawn out slowly enough that I had a hard time focusing on what was actually being sung.


I appreciate the sentiment, and I expect that as the music is intended to "solidify the written message" that the book may be more straightforward. Here's a snippet from the publisher:

A Place to Belong has the potential of changing the way women think about themselves, about others and about doing God’s work in this world. In both her book and worship CD, Troyer challenges women to connect to one another, comfort each other and affirm each other in using the gifts God has given them. Ultimately, A Place to Belong offers a healing dose of real hope that life can be rich, life can have purpose and no woman need ever be alone.

The new Circle of Friends CD is available online at http://lifewayworship.com and iTunes. It can also be purchased through your local Christian retailer.

www.findaplacetobelong.com

I could recommend purchasing this CD if you are looking for a mellow, contemplative "background" to your personal quiet time, but it probably won't become a "most sung" album in our house.
Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."