Michelle Tumes returns with her sophomore album, Center of My Universe, with new fervor and excitement. As beautiful as Tumes' first album, this one is equally upbeat and full of praise. This Australian's lyrics contain words of God's love, beauty, and perfection. There is a wider range of styles in Center of My Universe. There are upbeat songs combined with a chant and mixes of old and new texts and styles.
The album begins with a call to God and His great love. Tumes says that her inspiration is the great hymn, Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus. It's an upbeat, exciting praise describing the full awe of his deep, deep love. Another song, 'Lovely,' was inspired by a run along the beach in Australia. The chorus is so touching: "Oh, You're lovely, lovely. You're the center of my universe. / A thousand times I look around me and I find / Oh, You're lovely, lovely, You're the center of my universe. / A million ways could not explain, You're lovely."
'Immortal' is a song that reverts back to Tumes' first album, slow music with simple, yet inspiring words. Tumes describes very simply how we are immortal and we will finally be with our Savior in heaven for eternity. It is such a lifting song to remind us that we will live eternally. Tumes' wrote 'Christe Eleison,' a new version of part of the Latin mass. She wanted to remind us of the grace and mercy we need to receive every day. This song inspires me. The combination of the Latin text and English words (and the continued musical underlying of the words, Christe Eleison, throughout the entire song) really reaches me.
This Australian has created a different album than her last. Don't expect an entire album of slow and continued inspiring words, but enjoy the new Tumes; the mix of upbeat, surface songs and deep, theological, inspirational songs. This is a winner, folks.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by James StewartMichelle Tumes has one of those voices which seems to effortlessly float over whatever musical landscape is placed beneath, while staying close enough to the ground to engage with the scenery. The influences of Clannad and Enya are clear to see, but it is ethereal pop rather than Celtic inflections which is Tumes's strength. Opening with a selection of ethereal pieces which serve to emphasize her…Similar sounding releases
1998Sue RinaldiPromise Land
1998Sinead LohanNo Mermaid
2004Abra MooreEverything Changed
1997Rebecca St. JamesChristmas
1998Margaret BeckerFalling Forward
2001Mary-KathrynOne Spirit
