Geoff Moore

Item: A Beautiful Sound
Author: Alex Klages

A Beautiful Sound

(2002)

Reviewed by Alex Klages

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Label ForeFront RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

adult contemporary ccm pop rock worship

Geoff Moore has been in the music business a long time, and after a while, it can be easy to get into a rut, and keep making the same album over and over again. For Moore, that hasn't been much of a problem. After parting ways amicably with The Distance, his former backing band, his career has continued strongly and in new directions.

This newest album continues that trend. Boasting songs written or co-written by such notables as Joel Hanson (PFR), Pierce Pettis, Pete Stewart, and Marc Byrd, along with long-time writing partner Steven Curtis Chapman, there is a freshness to the lyrics. Take for example the opening lines of "The Artist":

Will you watch the Potter's hand
Moving in and through the clay
A vessel not yet born
Through his gift transforms
Into a thing of beauty

As well as the strong lyrics, the melodies are as hummable as ever. "Impossible" is a catchy, upbeat number that recalls Moore's earlier days with The Distance while moving him forward into this year, sonically. It is followed by the beautifully haunting melody of "Swept Away."

Moore's voice continues to be the husky instrument for which he has become known, and is used to great effect in songs like "God Believes In You" and "The Artist," among others.

Geoff Moore is known for delivering quality pop-rock, and this album is no exception. The tunes are good, and the overall sound of the album is rich and full, thanks to Brent Milligan's production work. It's hard to find a knock against this album, other than that it is missing some of the raw edge of Moore's early albums, and as a result does wear a little upon repeated listening. But that's the case with many good albums.

4 tocks