Mary's Den

Item: Songs from the Living Room
Author: Brian A. Smith

Songs from the Living Room

(2002)

Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label independentThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

ccm pop rock rock worship

Songs from the Living Room is the debut of Mary's Den, recorded at several different venues, giving it a live sound. There are several praise songs here - "Freedom", "You Sustain Me", "Praise Goes Up", and "Captured by Your Majesty" among them.

However, this album also has fully fleshed out songs as well. "I Am Your Son" demonstrates the need for reliance on God, despite the headstrong nature of humans that tends to get in the way:

I am not skilled at resting
I am not patient in growing
In a world of do's and don't's
I often fail to measure up
But I feel you drawing me on...

"God With Us" is a celebration of Christ's birth, pointing out that He is "not just old statue in a church or some fairy tale that someone dreamed up...". "Supernatural Love" is a BoDeans soundalike, and "Captured By Your Majesty" mixes the best of Counting Crows and Third Day.

Songs from the Living Room is loose in style, featuring a few spontaneous numbers that enhance the live nature of the recording. One of these, "Bailamos" is an improv percussion/pennywhistle/didgeridoo jam session that Rusted Root would be proud to claim as their own.

This CD rambles through its fifteen songs, showing the band to be relaxed, yet serious, and playful, yet earnest. Both fun and reverent, Songs from the Living Room serves as a modern worship service.

3.5 tocks