Nate Sallie’s passionate and stylized pop sound drips with awareness and recognition; it is the foundation and strength of “Ruined for Ordinary,” Sallie’s sophomore offering. His story is not unfamiliar: saved at an early age, he let his God-awareness drift into sleep mode, until about three years ago. While reading John Bevere’s “Drawing Near: A Life of Intimacy with God,” the classically-trained Sallie began to desperately desire anew the God he had laid aside. “Ruined for Ordinary” overflows with this new vigor, from the first hooky chorus of opener “Breakthrough,” its lyrics openly needy: “Would you please ruin me/for this life ordinary/All I seek is Your Holy covering/ moving over me.”
Sallie and producer Bernie Hermes chose to stack the album’s 11 tracks with full orchestration, from the string-laden radio-friendly “Let Go of Me,” to the highly stylized “Undercover Belief,” horns, strings and muscular drums accenting the fierce passion of his message. This fat sound works nicely on tracks like the bouncy piano-driven track “Look at Me Now,” think Chicago Goes Gospel. “Just A Breath,” a musical carpe diem, starts with simple piano accompaniment before adding strings for its moody bridge.
However, I think I enjoyed Sallie most when his rich vocals were presented with less instrumentation. The simpler “What I Believe” is a moving declaration song, reminiscent of Carmen with its intense lyrics and dramatic vocals, a full choir joining him for a big finish. I loved the quiet organ opening of worship track “Love Song,” a choir once again joining him for a passionate crescendo.
Other standout tracks include the uplifting “Divine,” notable for its spiritual wisdom, and the powerful closer, “Ruined.” Its lovely chord movements, soaring chorus, and eloquent lyrics make it one of the album’s best offerings. If you like stylized pop, presented with sincere passion, mark your calendar now for March 20th, when Curb Records will release Nate Sallie’s “Ruined For Ordinary.”
