REVIEW - THE GALLOWAYS - THE TIMES OF OUR LIVES
By Lyn Rowell
Just for curiosity, I decided to push the random button on my CD player to listen
to the new project by the Galloways – after I had already heard it once. Interestingly
enough, the project seemed equally strong both times! After many enjoyable listens,
I have found The Times of Our Lives to be a spiritually satisfying, well-balanced
CD that truly brings out the best in the Galloways.Here's my prediction:
If you listen casually, you will thoroughly enjoy the ride as you move along with the natural flow of the music.
But if you listen closely, you will uncover layers of rock-solid truth crafted into great songs (by writers like Rodney Griffin, Sue Smith, Tony Wood, and the producer himself, Wayne Haun), as well as rich vocal arrangements, moving orchestrations and refreshing surprises in each song.
1. Anytime
Jazzy swing is the perfect setting for the tight vocal harmonies on this catchy song, and the Galloways have never sounded better! Sure to be a concert favorite, this song (written by Wayne Haun and Barbara Huffman) provides a breezy, encouraging beginning to the project, and is guaranteed to engage the listener and create a fresh contrast to the song that follows.
2. Behold the Man
Honestly, I can't quite decide whether I enjoy listening to this song more in a quiet room at night with all the lights turned off (to allow the scenes to unfold on the big screen of my mind), or in bright sunlight (to highlight the triumphant finish). In any setting, the song is stunning. A fresh and yet classic Easter song is hard to come by, but Tony Wood and Wayne Haun have succeeded in bringing a new standard to full color and life. When a song will stand the test of time, it needs to be given special attention, and this song represents the quality of writing that deserves to receive a Dove nomination for Song of the Year. Rarely will a song have such a beautiful balance of poetry and economy of words. And the achingly memorable melody is intricately joined to the lyric like dovetailed joints on a timeless antique. For example, the last line before each chorus brings a powerful emotional payoff, and I would love to quote the lyric, but I will resist the temptation; each listener deserves to experience such a moment lyrically and musically when it arrives. And even though the song is now familiar to me, it still moves me. Scharlene Galloway's lead vocal demonstrates her own emotional investment in this song, so I imagine she would agree with me that if Behold the Man does not become the focal point in a future best-selling Easter musical, it would be a crying shame. From the heartrending pull and tug of the orchestration to the beautifully arranged vocals, and from the intense pacing of the song through an incredible bridge to a soaring finish . . . listen for yourself and expect to catch your breath at the goodness of God in the sacrifice of Christ.
3. He Led Me Out to Lead Me In
This Sandy Knight song brings an unexpected and enjoyable change of flavor, and the producer mixes a saucy fiddle with an upbeat melody and strong message to get feet tapping. Brittany Galloway and Jarrod Vanderslice are featured as they share the lead vocals on this first radio single from the project.
4. On My Way Down
I actually heard a collective "Ah!" when the lyrical payoff of this song dawned on a group of listeners. "Jesus got in my way on my way down" is a phrase Earl Galloway delivers with a sincerity that is engaging, and his voice is the right setting for this classic country gem-of-a-melody by Paula Stefanovich.
5. Grace Abounds
The piano and B3 organ are the perfect instruments to introduce this gospel-flavored favorite, and by the time Scharlene delivers the chorus, listeners will be more than ready to sing along! The audience at the Daywind Writer's Night last summer experienced a memorable, hanky-waving moment when the songwriter, Mark Mathes, communicated this message, and I am confident that the listeners of this CD will feel equally drawn to this heart-lifting song.
6. Just Any Day Now
While this is not a new song, it has been given fresh treatment for good reason: Aaron Wilburn and Eddie Crook wrote a timeless message that deserves to be heard again. Enjoy the country touches, including a steel guitar that brings a classic sound to the song.
7. Foolish Things
Brittany Galloway settles back and makes this message her own, and followers of Christ will find deep meaning and encouragement wrapped up in a rollicking bluegrass tune penned by Wood and Haun. Pay special attention to the spiritual irony communicated by the lyric, the fresh melody in the verses, and the tight harmonies at the end of the chorus: all are especially satisfying for the listener.
8. It Never Got the Best of Him
If you listen closely, you will discover some hidden treasures in this song. One of my favorite surprises is the fresh marriage of lyric and melody with harmony on the second sentence of each verse. I am also drawn to the great vocal and instrumental turnaround after the second chorus; it's rich. Jarrod and Scharlene shine on the verses, but all four vocalists harmonize well to communicate the message of the chorus. Listeners will experience another meaningful payoff from Sue Smith and Wayne Haun because these writers found a fresh angle (in a surprisingly mid-tempo song) to describe the Savior's single-minded choice to offer Himself to save His children.
9. Holy Place
What is refreshing and surprising about this song is the way Wood and Haun tune our hearts to remember the country churches that are part of our spiritual histories, but turn our eyes to see their future ministries as well. Almost like a virtual tour, the lyric is filled with incredibly detailed pictures of these places of worship we know and love. The smooth, comforting music seems familiar and yet new; it moves almost effortlessly, like a favorite porch swing on a Sunday afternoon.
10. Remember the Mountain
The final song of the project, a classic-sounding Rodney Griffin tune, has the emotional promise and reward of He'll Carry Me (another Griffin song on the outstanding Faces project by Greater Vision), but is uniquely rich in topic and meaning. Earl Galloway sings the verses with a comforting earnestness that will encourage any listener to truly believe the unfolding message. Early on, the orchestration has a beautiful tenderness; the song is already memorable after just the introduction, the opening scene and surprising musical transition. But as the chorus arrives, a powerful undercurrent of hope begins to build throughout the rest of the song. The overall pacing, chord progressions, vocal arrangements, and key changes create the sensation of a climb finishing strong and full of faith – a meaningful ending to a satisfying project.