From beginning to end, the new, self-titled release from David Mullen stays focused around the concept of "change." The lyrical content of this album chronicles the changes that have taken place in and around Mullen during his three-year hiatus from recording. The musical base reflects a departure from the styles of his previous projects. The note at the front of the album jacket tells us this project concerns how the ongoing process of restoration in our faith brings about change.
In the personal arena, Mullen has changed dramatically-he's gotten married (to Christian singer Nicole) and they've had a child. The resulting perspective changes are openly shared in the lyrics. Where Revival and Faded Blues were albums that reflected times of grappling and working through pain in his life, this project reveals a place of confidence. The maturity of thought shared by Mullen (who at least co-wrote all the tracks) is similar to the metamorphosis and arrival that could be seen on Margaret Becker's Soul when compared to her earlier work. One of the highlights on David Mullen is a ballad with Beth Nielsen Chapman, "The Beauty of It," which gives testimony to this kind of change. It tells of the glory and reward found from persevering through the trials that assail love and relationships.
David Mullen has a well balanced mix of "rockers," mid-tempo, and ballad-based tunes. Moving beyond his traditional raw and gutsy, Memphis Delta sound, Mullen incorporates both a more polished and produced pop and Latin blend (at times not unlike Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine) and a fairly traditional black gospel sound. In fact, the opening cut on the album, "Change Has Gotta Come" is a rollicking tune that showcases full Latin horn and percussion arrangements.
Although the rough and questioning David Mullen may have changed, what has emerged is a more diverse, yet still passionate, artist. It seems fitting then that this album bears his name as its title-David Mullen presents a man who has "arrived" in more ways than one.
