- Take My Hand
- Gravity
- Hold On
- Simply Nothing
- Beautiful
- Don't Walk Away
- All I Need
- Take This Life
- Have You Ever
- Here I Am
- Yahweh
- Open Me
Six years ago, Shawn McDonald of Eugene, Oregon never imagined he'd become a recording artist, much less a Christian. Problematic as a child, McDonald moved out of his parents' house and immersed himself in a life of using and dealing drugs. With felonies hanging over his head, he searched for spiritual answers before Christianity finally turned his life around. Equipped with transparent faith and a moving testimony, it wasn't long before McDonald inked a deal with Sparrow/EMI for his debut,
The title refers to 1 Corinthians 13:2, and the album dwells heavily on themes of dependence on God. Produced by Chris Stevens (Paul Wright, toby Mac), this is a soft acoustic pop album colored primarily with guitar and strings. McDonald recalls the passionate sounds of Justin McRoberts, Shane & Shane, and Damien Rice, especially on "Have You Ever," the title track, and the suitably named "Beautiful." Pretty piano ballad "Take This Life" offers a welcome shift in sound, and "Don't Walk Away" has a slick upbeat groove, using with surprisingly similar energy. If "Take My Hand" bears too strong a resemblance to Paul Wright's acoustic hip-hop style, it's because he co-wrote it.
The album is likeable and inspiring enough, but it lacks originality and introspection, suffering from the same generic and straightforward lyricism that hampered Jeremy Camp's breakthrough debut