Give Me Words
Artist: Tim Juliet
URL: http://www.timjuillet.com/
Label: Canvas Burning
Times: 14 tracks/63 minutes

Hey, what has happened here? Sounds like we are caught in the '80s again. I was expecting something better, as this disc was produced by Patrick Andrew (ex-PFR). Unfortunately, it is muddled with vocals often beneath other instruments or competing with them. With Tim Juliet being a classically trained vocalist--and Andrew having all the experience in this style of music--I (rightly) expected a lot. But unlike Bono, who has successfully carried his classical/opera training across to the pop world, Juliet doesn't carry his training across to this pop-worship styled album.

Lyrically, Give Me Words is an album soaked in Christ/God-centered themes. Musically, it is contemporary middle-of-the-road, with lots of strings and piano with layered vocals, multiple choirs (children, adult and operatic all on the one track) plus the usual guitar, drums and bass arrangements. Juliet has a fine voice, sort of a mixture of Ray Boltz, Russ Taff and David Phelps, which one would imagine would suit this pop-worship style well. Unfortunately, from this reviewer's point of view, the results are a dated style and poor production.

I have listened to this album several times but still can't listen to it in one sitting. To be honest, I am fairly cynical of this style of music--pop-worship. My main question I have whenever I hear such an album is "why? Why are you doing this?" Are the songs genuine acts of worship captured in a moment of time, or are they simply an attempt to tap into a market for some gain? When an artist can sing songs of worship, then produce and market it to the popular masses while still remaining genuine and sounding sincere they tend to garner a loyal following, including myself. Think David Crowder, Charlie Hall, Chris Tomlin, Andrew Petersen, Phil Wickham, etc, etc, etc. Then you have the other artists who sing songs that simply reflect God in their lives; Jon Foreman, Stukenberg, Hiram Ring, Rich Mullins, Mark Heard, etc, etc, etc. All these guys (and I have not mentioned any of the girls) all seem to sing freely, songs of worship, without sounding contrived or reducing Jesus or God to a four-minute product to sell. Rather, it sounds like the listeners are entering into the artists diary and hearing their personal revelation or experience with God. 

I get none of that with Mr Juliet. This does not mean that he is not (sincere), but he fails to communicate that through his art. At the same time some ill just love this album. So now you have finished reading; go check out Tim Juliet, anyway.

Rob Boynton