Kim Boyce

Item: By Faith
Author: Bert Gangl

By Faith

(1994)

Reviewed by Bert Gangl

Discogs YouTube

Label Warner AllianceThe LighthouseMarch 1995

adult contemporary ccm pop

Hard times have a way of bringing us closer to God. Those looking for proof of that can find it on Kim Boyce's latest album By Faith. It is fairly obvious that the hard times she has undergone since the release of her last album have brought her face to face with a deeper, perhaps more somber, face of the Christian experience.

The album does contain the expected tributes to both her husband ("Oh, What A Love") and her newborn baby ("Dreams I'm Dreamin'"), both of which are similar to much of her previous work. But the real jewels are the more serious songs that deal with the unpleasant realities of life as seen through Christian eyes. The song "Tell Me" deals with the struggle when we feel that God is far away or when we've run from God. "By Faith" speaks of Christians being ridiculed for their faith by those who cannot believe in an unseen God. And the beautiful "Not Too Far From Here" addresses the plight of those in need of our help--whether that help be monetary, emotional, or spiritual.

Musically, the album shows a diversity of styles, most of which are similar to her previous work. By Faith contains everything from the standard upbeat radio-ready pop fare of "Tell Me" and "After God's Own Heart" to richly textured slower songs such as "By Faith" and "Not Too Far From Here." The project also includes the anthemic sounding "Just Believe" (complete with Gospel choir), and the groove-laden "Imagine," written by Eric Champion, that has just enough quirky chord changes to keep the listener on the edge of their seat.

Still, none of this is to imply that the album is without hope. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The songs tend to dwell less on our various trials than on the character of God, who is faithful to see us through them. "After God's Own Heart" follows the writer's lament over the smallness of her love with an assurance that God is nevertheless found by those who seek Him. And "Rescue Me" assures us that even though we're weak, God walks with us every step of the way.

Suffice it to say, Kim Boyce has released an album that makes significant strides in revealing the heart of God to its listeners. With music that is on par with any of her previous works, she successfully walks the fine line of presenting a realistic view of the human condition without glorifying it. We would all do well to remember that, as it says in the Bible, God makes both the hard times and the good.