Justin McRoberts is a completely new artist to me. Until listening to Trust, I knew nothing about him, hadn't heard any of his music, and basically went in with absolutely no preconceptions. I can now say that Justin McRoberts is a very talented songwriter who has crafted a wonderful album in Trust, an album that looks at all aspects of life, and love, and does so without the usual CCM rose-colored glasses.
"Dangerous" has a Beatles-style piano background, with McRoberts' vocals falling somewhere between Paul Carrack and Matthew Sweet. It deals with the fear that comes in forming deep relationships because of the pain that can be involved if the relationships end. "Not Even Tired" realizes the importance in changing oneself before trying to change the world.
"Enemy" cuts to the heart, describing how a person fixed on the negative can do Satan's job for him:
I've fallen like so many fools my age
Throwing stones at all who cross me
I won't become a victim of my rage
Lord, give me love for the enemy...
"Anything to You" comes from the perspective of someone who is hurting, trying to see and believe in God. "Alone Together" portrays true friendship and love, two people who are able to completely real with each other. "Beautiful Once" is a statement about women, self-image, and the lust of men. "Love" describes the cost of truly loving someone -- the pain, the work, and the trials that can occur.
"You Wouldn't Know" may be the most powerful commentary here. Often Christians can overwhelm those they are trying to win with the force of their arguments, rather than showing them the love of Christ:
I'm fascinated by why you believe
What you believe, not why I don't
You wouldn't know
You never stopped your talking
I never got a word in edgewise to tell you I believed it...
"They Care" is in the vein of DC Talk's "What if I Stumble?," examining the motivations of McRoberts career choice, a call to be accountable and focus on Christ, rather than success and the gratification that can come with being on stage.
Trust is a very well put together CD, proceeding from one theme to another, but at all times centered on drawing closer to God and eliminating the sins that separate. McRoberts manages to minister, while showing a great amount of musical ability at the same time. I will be checking out more of McRoberts' catalog as a result.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Trae CadenheadJustin McRoberts is by no means a new name in Christian music, having already released two albums on Five Minute Walk Records. However, now with Five Minute Walk's temporary hiatus, McRoberts has set out on his own with his independent release Trust. The fact that Trust is an independently released album may help it to appeal more to those who like music for the sake of music and not popularity.…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Matt WilliamsAn independent release is a Catch-22 for an artist. Normally, the artist has the freedom to record without the constraints of a label and marketing plan, and thus, can make the project more of a true artistic endeavor. However, that freedom can often lead to lack of discretion in the making of the project, and the artist is normally forced to cover the entire project's funding. This is the…Similar sounding releases
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