The 5 years have taken the hard-touring artist into a more settled, family groove, and that change of circumstances may account for the tone of deep satisfaction that permeates the 13-track disc co-produced by the dream team of Nathan Nockels and Margaret Becker. The musicianship shines throughout, Nockels often providing textured nuance with his keyboard contributions, but most immediately conspicuous is McVicker’s unconventional expression of faith in these organic offerings.
Twangy acoustic exhortations to praise open the album, with the upbeat “Hallelujah,” an image-rich call to recognize the Presence of God all around. McVicker tends to write with a slight stream-of-consciousness flow, lyrics that paint pictures more then directly articulate solid positions: “Before the ocean brings its tide low/and the gentle breeze of night blows/before the constellation sky glows/hallelujah/turn your face to morning’s blaze.” The bouncy pop track “Partysong” is just as evocative in describing the heavenly celebration to come, and listeners will especially enjoy its rootsy vibe and McVicker’s fresh phrasing.
The spacey “Strap My Hat On” says as much with its sparse construction as it does with its mysterious lyrics, sort of the way negative space enhances drawing.Listeners will be very drawn into its murky expression of faith in the darkness. “Wounded One” is a Crowder-like praise track, thick with percolating sound and deep worship, where songs like “Precious Blood” and closer “Magnificent” highlight McVicker’s wide vocal range.
The madly melodic “Come To the Well” features some fine old-school R&B changes under the pop instrumentation, and the spacey arrangements of “Along With the Rocks,” a stirring examination of 1 Corinthians 13, contrast the yin and yang of his near falsetto vocals and the heavily textured instrumentation. Pop track “Wonderful” reverses the trend and plays his gritty vocals against the light, infectious hooks. There’s a lot of thoughtful song-writing going on in Love Will Rise, not unexpected from a past Dove-winner.
There are a few prime Beatlesque moments in “Walking On Air,” McVicker’s harmonica adding anice edge to the dreamy movements. More sumptuous images abound: “Even the angels stop and stare at me/I’m on top of the hemisphere and I can see clear to forever/ I’m walking on air/horizon haze all ablaze like a branding iron.” My favorite track follows, “Upon Further Inspection,” bringing together all the album’s strengths: vocally, lyrically, and sonically. The bluesy track sizzles with authenticity. All in all, a compelling project from Mitch McVicker, an artist who has earned the right to be heard.
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