Derek Webb has a new album dropping in just a few short days.
I was wrong, I’m sorry and I love you.
I’ve practically grown up with Webb – first listening to Caedmon’s Call in high school and college and now following his solo career as I made my way through the world of post-school, married with kids life.
His music has become a life canon of sorts for numerous points in my life.
As others before have mentioned, good art should make us think, question and often challenge the world around us – and Derek’s music has always done just that – including this latest release.
Luckily, you don’t have to wait until the album officially drops in early September. You can pre-order the album today and get an immediate download of the album (along with a number of other special swag packages).
I’ve ordered my copy and I’m listening to the album now. Here are my initial thoughts:
I Was Wrong, I’m Sorry and I love You.
The title track (and first) track on the album starts out with a quiet Derek re-visiting the past as synthesized bells chime in the background. The chorus picks up in a somewhat “traditional” Webb musical style repeating the simple phrase “I was wrong, I’m sorry and I love you.”
When I shared those words on Facebook originally a few weeks ago, my dad made the comment – “nine simple words that can change everything.” I agree.
The song reminds me a lot of Caedmon’s Call latest release (which Webb helped produce), maybe even a little 40 Acres-esque.
And the video for the track is greatness! Bummed I didn’t have time to participate in the crowd-sourced piece of it.
Eye of the Hurricane
The song starts off with a nice rhythm from a simple drum beat and guitar picking and strumming. The chorus picks up with heavier drums.
“I am a man from which I am running. So even if I wanted to, I can’t escape.”
Lyrically it reminds me a bit of My Enemies are Men Like Me.
The second verse brings in some of the synthesized sounds familiar to Webb’s more recent albums, Stockholm Syndrome and CTRL.
Excites me to think this album is an even greater blending of all of Derek’s influences – from the folksy guitar sounds of Bob Dylan to the hip-hop of Questlove and beyond.
Lover Part 3
Always love a haunting organ playing underneath a music track. Makes me picture flying just above a rolling green landscape.
This song returns to the theme of the title track with, “I loved you then and know I love you still.”
The closing bridge brings in a beautiful backing vocal. I’m going to want to listen to this one again ASAP to capture all the lyrics. Is this the start of a Derek Webb apology tour? Or more of a retrospective of the past 20 years?
Closer Than you Think
Electric guitar to start things off – a little funkier than the previous tracks. The added Hammond Organ (?) gives it a funky 60’s quality.
Reminds me of Across the Universe in many ways.
As I listen, I’m trying to decide if the chorus says, “We’re closer than you think” or “I’m closer than you think.”
While the title track offers an apology, this track seems to seek common ground with Derek’s critics over the years. “Life is tough and you want to fight me. But you haven’t even heard a single word from my mouth. Yet you doubt what I’m saying now.” The second verse adds, “I know sometimes I must confound you. Just wishing my words were coming in clear.”
Heavy
Four songs in and no explicit mention of God or Jesus yet?! I thought people labeled Derek a “Christian” artist. 🙂
Oh wait… “I have needs, I cannot deny them. I was made to want these things. I will stay if you can supply them. If you can’t, I’ll trade my ring for a father who loves me enough to provide what he’s made me to love. It’s very good. You said so yourself and then you put it so high on the shelf.” Yup. Pretty heavy.
Classic Derek with a simple guitar over heavy lyrics. The song picks up with toms and a piano a bit later. “I try to make light of the things I can’t deny are so heavy.”
Everything Will Change
Derek mentioned in an online video that this song is about the death of cynicism and the need for living with hope.
The post-modern mindset often makes it easy to become a cynic and just shut down. I’ve been there – believe me.
But as Dave Schmelzer points out – there are four stages to growth.
Starting with infancy – or “my way or the highway.”
The second stage is the rules based stage – where you follow all the rules set before you.
The teenage years are when you question everything and rebel.
And finally the fourth stage – which realizes there’s a better way. There is hope beyond the cynicism. In stage four you realize that most of the things you learned in stage two are probably right, but they’re much more richer and more mysterious than you ever would have imagined.
“It’s hard to trust in anyone. It’s easier to just fold up your arms.”
Interesting that Derek says “Everything WILL change” and not Brian McLaren’s version of “Everything Must Change.” This becomes even clearer as the song progresses.
“Everything’s gonna change and nothing’s going to stay the way it is. One day you’ll wake and the curse will break and even you won’t be the same. Your hope is not wasted on a day, when everything will change.”
Sounds like Derek is taking stock and seeing the hope in that magical, mystical stage four of life – as well as looking towards our eternal hope.
“And on that day, there will be no time for suffering. And on that day, no hunger and no thirst. And on that day, we’ll run out of time for death and tears…”
This may easily be the most hope-filled song I’ve heard from Derek in several albums. Love it. I’m not going to wait to listen to this one again. Hitting repeat now. And again…
And as an added note, I’ll never complain about a song that features strings in the beginning and throughout.
As an aside, had this conversation when tweeting about Everything Will Change.
Because, @jdblundell, @derekwebb refuses to affirm what the Bible says, and has castigated those who do. So when he talks change, what kind?
— Jim Hamilton (@DrJimHamilton) August 20, 2013
Maybe I should have shared Closer Than You Think instead of Everything Will Change.
I Measure The Days
Sounds like Derek may have borrowed his wife’s voice for the backing on this track. Beautiful. The cadance of the lyrics remind me of a reformation hymn. A very short hymn. Only 1:51 long.
Or… as I just noticed – as a “(Simplified Anglican Chant)”, which is part of the song’s title. A nod to the growing influence of hymns on Derek’s music? A la Feedback.
A Place at Your Table
Starting off with an upbeat-poppy feel. A nice contrast between the previous track and this one. A song of grace. Always dig that. “There will always be a place at your table for me.”
Nothing But Love
Starts off sounding like another great love song from Derek to his wife. “I’ve got nothing but love for you now.” I love that Derek seems to include a love song on almost every album he releases.
As the track progresses it sounds like it may be more of an apology to a wife or a lover after a fight.
“So when you take a mistress (perhaps music, a career, hobbies, etc. etc.) on the side, just to keep the marriage alive, oh you know it never works – especially the harder you try. It just reveals a thirst for the one thing you can’t find.”
The Vow
Woah… a totally different direction musically. A bit of a Spanish flare anyone? I’m hearing a little Marty Robbins’ El Passo and Enough by Shaun Groves.
Really caught up in the music on this one. Hard to focus on the lyrics themselves.
Your Heart Breaks in All the Right Places
A quiet departure from the previous track. I love how this album unfolds.
Thy Will be Done
“My God and Father while I stray far from my home in life’s rough way. Oh teach me from my heart to say, ‘Thy will be done.'”
A beautiful rendition of Charlotte Elliot’s hymn. Perhaps the greatest of all prayers. Regardless of our past, present or future. Regardless of our mistakes, our cynicism or even our hope – may God’s will be done.
A strong ending to a great album by Derek Webb. But don’t take my word for it. Order the album for yourself now and download it instantly for only $10. Or grab some great swag while your at it.
