Music Review by Joana Woods
LINDSAY McCAUL: If it leads back to you
WOW!, is how I would like to start off this review. Never having heard of this artist before, I was more than pleasantly surprised with this CD! Lindsay’s piano driven acoustic sounds, flow into beautiful melodic songs that remind you to lay back and relax into the promises that God has for your life…
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Coming from Chicago, Lindsay has just released her debut album ‘If It Leads Me Back’. The singer/songwriter’s eleven track album was produced by Jason Ingram (Tenth Avenue North, Meredith Andrews), who first brought McCaul’s talent to the attention of Reunion Records who went on to sign her. She has enthusiastically written every song in this CD.
She has quite a gentle voice that is not overpowering but yet very emotionally laden. She reminds me of Sarah Mclaghan and Brooke Fraser. So far critics are claiming her to be one of the best new vocalist and female artists out this year.
The lyrics of her songs vary dramatically from the upbeat to melancholic (but a hopeful melancholic!). “You Never Change” is a happy song and declares the truth that “You’re still the same, Yesterday, Today and Forever.” “Speak” is another prayer song that proclaims “Your Love is better than life.” “Take My Hand” is a hit and has already been featured in a television show. Lindsay sings this tender ballad directly to God, “Didn’t You know that I’d be scared, Couldn’t You see that I was unprepared…I just need You to take my hand.” “Face To Face” is a love song to Jesus, “We just can’t wait to see Your face.” The moving song “Let Go” is about dealing with an eating disorder, and seeing a friend in college wrestling with the same issue. “I really feel like Satan was trying to get a hold of me, keep me from fully giving my life to the Lord,” she says. “It’s a control thing. You want to control an area in your life. The Lord had to really break me of that and show me that He’s in control of my life.” It’s also very relatable to listeners, especially for those who struggle with control issues and perfectionism. Lindsay co-wrote the title track, “If It Leads Me Back,” with one of her song writing heroes, Cindy Morgan. Lindsay says, “I was in a season of learning to let go of some things that the Lord was removing from my life, and having Job as an example of trusting God with what He takes us through was exactly what I needed. Whatever it is that God brings us to, He can take us through, and He allows it all in our lives so that He can bring us closer to Him and make us more like Jesus. I felt like that thought really summed up the whole album…”. The Last song is definitely my favourite, and has become a theme in my own life over the last few weeks.
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To sum up- BUY THIS ALBUM. This artist is a rising star in Christian contemporary music, her music is soulful, her lyrics are thought provoking and inspirational. What a great addition to any music collection!
