Mitch McVicker

Item: Chasing the Horizon
Author: Cathy Courtwright

Chasing the Horizon

(2000)

Reviewed by Cathy Courtwright

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Label Grassroots MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth2001

acoustic rock ccm folk rock singer-songwriter

Within the first seconds of Mitch McVicker's sophomore release, Chasing the Horizon, it becomes obvious that this project contains a message McVicker feels many people need to hear. The first track, entitled "Emanuel," sets the theme of the record by stating:

You are right here with us,
I guess that's why You're called Emanuel.
You are right here with us,
When I look around, I can tell.
When I look around I can tell that
You're Emanuel.

Throughout the project, McVicker skillfully allows the listener to capture glimpses of his own spiritual journey. In doing so, the audience finds threads of their own spiritual expedition and is compelled to listen and gather morsels of hope for their lives.

In the song, "Upside Down," McVicker's weathered, Tom Petty-ish, warm vocals combined with softly played instruments, provide the perfect backdrop for a prayer. His true heart is revealed as McVicker quietly contemplates how his views and beliefs seem to be completely opposite that of the world's. He discusses how "inside out and upside down" things seem while quoting a portion of the beatitudes and realizing that the path he has chosen is better for him.

The first single release from the project, "When You Love" is McVicker's version of the Rich Mullins' song "When You Love" that he recorded on his second album. McVicker and Mullins had talked about rewriting and reworking the song. Approximately six months after the tragic wreck, McVicker went ahead and did it. A chorus and a bridge have been added, yet it continues to say that when we love, as God has taught us, miracles happen.

Jordan Richter does an interesting job of engineering and mixing the project and helping McVicker's talents stretch beyond what we expect. Perhaps this is most obvious in the song, "It Won't Take Long," when an old-sounding record is used in the background along with a whispering voice and several interesting instruments. Together, the sounds produce something very different for McVicker.

"Rich's Song" is the song that draws the most emotion from the listener, especially if they were fans of Rich Mullins. This song was one of healing for McVicker after the accident that took Mullins' life and almost cost McVicker his life. Knowing that causes the song to start listeners in tears. But, the track goes so much past that. It's a song of rejoicing for someone in Heaven. The gentle, non-bluegrass sounding, dulcimer playing in the background provides a flowing transition into a frame of mind for those who have gone on to Heaven before us.

Several songs on this project get help from artists such as: Dennis Holt, Phil Madeira, Mark Robertson, Rick Elias, and Brad Layher. It is well laid out, and put together. If you like the sounds of Rich Mullins, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, or Andrew Peterson, Chasing the Horizon is a must have.

4.5 tocks