MercyMe

Item: Undone
Author: Brian A. Smith

Undone

(2004)

Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

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Label INO RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2004

adult contemporary ccm pop rock worship

Mercy Me is atypical of most of the artists on the INO roster in that they have enjoyed huge commercial success. With last year's public embracing of "I Can Only Imagine", one would hope that Mercy Me would grab the opportunity to explore new areas of music, and progress as a band to a new level.

In this critic's view, however, Undone plays it safe. It is almost everything a cynic has grown to expect from CCM: bland, safe, middle of the road, attempting to appeal to all audiences, and will undoubtedly be a massive success. Mercy Me is the Hootie and the Blowfish of CCM today: no one hates them, everyone can think of something by them that they like, and they use just enough guitar not to drive away the young male audience. In other words, they are a group of Steven Curtis Chapmans, to the point where Bart Millard's vocals strongly resemble Chapman's.

"In the Blink of an Eye" is not a Rick Elias cover, but a song that yearns to be closer to Christ:

In a blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye

"Homesick" longs for Heaven, and seeing those that have preceded us there. "Never Alone" relies on the assurance that God is always there. "Unaware" realizes that God is watching at all times, and hoping to be unaware of our self-consciousness when in His presence.

Mercy Me spent over a decade in this business before realizing widespread fame. Given the nature of the CCM audience, Undone will not fall into the category of rushed, mediocre follow up albums. If you liked Almost There and Spoken For, then this album will fit nicely into your collection. If you're looking for something new, keep looking.

3 tocks