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Artist: Jason Morant
Label: Vertical Music/Integrity
Time/Length: 16 songs, 70 minutes
What happens when an album you are planning becomes postponed due to a hurricane? Just before this album was to be recorded hurricane Katrina hit and Jason had to move from his home near New Orleans to Tennessee. Jason Morant gives us that answer with his new album, Open. It is a tender and fuzzy feeling type of album from start to finish. That is because it is an album focused on one thing and one thing alone, worshipping God. The listener will be pulled in quickly with the acoustic contemporary soft rock sound presented by Jason Morant.
Jason Morant pulls off what I think is very difficult to do, creating a worship album that is creative musically and lyrically. He clearly has a focus that is determined not to lose sight of whom God is and that is clearly represented with each song.
At times he will remind the listener of Michael W. Smith, although without the pretentiousness musically. Just listen to the tune, Come Let Us Return or Holy is the Lord and you will swear it is Michael W. in both the styling of the song and singing by Jason. By the music not being pretentious, I mean that the music presents itself as grand on some songs, and at other times delicate and willowy but the music never once overshadows what Jason is trying to communicate lyrically. It has a simple humble approach about it that makes it enjoyable.
What I believe really sets this album apart is the lyrical quality. Jason Morant excels in his ability to communicate heartfelt emotions that we all have for God. Comparatively this album can best be described as a modern day version of the Psalms. Yes, his writing on the album is that strong. The music is Psalm like in that it deals with various internal struggles of what He is living for and ultimately finding the answer always returning to God, knowing Him better and understanding His character more. Jason is not afraid much like the Psalmists to identify his eternal emotions and wear them on his sleeve with each song.
Musically, Jason shifts between some more rock influenced tunes, some modern worship styling’s, and mellow acoustic tunes. My preference for Jason is when he scales back the music and lets his voice shine. He does this on several of the acoustic based songs, and I wish he offered more of these types of song. I think this type of song by Jason Morant display a greater feeling of emotion to the listener, that it is better suited to his voice. Others may enjoy the songs where the music is more orchestrated and the other times on the album where he has a more rock based song. Jason plays around with these three spectrums of music throughout the album, creating a sense of tension, eagerness, or joy just by changing up the foundation of the song.
The person who purchases
this album is going to find himself or herself drawn to thinking about
God and led to a place of worship as you sing along not only in your heart
but also out loud.
Robert W. Blake 5/31/2006
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