Point of Grace

Item: The Whole Truth
Author: Keith Sherwood

The Whole Truth

(1995)

Reviewed by Keith Sherwood

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Label Word RecordsThe LighthouseApril 1995

adult contemporary ccm pop

Since their debut in October of 1993, Point of Grace has made quite a name for themselves in a short amount of time. Their self-titled release gave listeners catchy pop songs and ballads mixed with great harmony. Factor in good songwriting and production and it's no wonder that the album garnered more than five #1 singles last year. Besides that, the group also received the Dove Award for best new artist in 1994.

Point of Grace is back with a sophomore release produced by Robert Sterling entitled The Whole Truth. This album features all of the things that made the group popular, but also shows that the group has grown up a little. There's more of a mature vocal sound and the group is blending better. Also, this album has the development of a theme, something that seemed to be lacking on their debut.

The Whole Truth not only introduces songs that will play well on the radio, but gives listeners a series of songs that focus on the basics of God's attributes and simple faith.

Harmonies reminiscent of First Call and 4HIM abound in each of these songs, but Point of Grace seems to break away from the mold with their own sound. This album includes more acoustical instruments and less keyboard programming, which gives it a relaxed, mature feel. A good example is the album opener, "Gather At The River." It is an uptempo, guitar driven song that calls out to believers to leave their personal differences aside and "gather at the river" of God's love and mercy.

Another highlight of the album is the anthem "The Great Divide," which starts out soft, describing the fact of man's separation from God, but then builds to a strong, soaring chorus that leads listeners to find that "There's a Cross to bridge the Great Divide."

Point of Grace also address an issue that seems to be in the forefront with today's teens in "The Love He Has For You." Without being trite or corny, this ballad talks about the temptation to be impatient and not wait for the person that God would send to us for marriage.

The last two songs on the album slow things down to look at the fact that God cares for us more than we can imagine. The song "The House That Mercy Built" is a beautiful ballad that shows us that no matter how bad things seem, God still has a place for us in His love. The album's closing song, "More Than Anything," reaffirms the listener that "God loves people more than anything." With a slow beat, this song made me picture a group singing around a campfire.

All of the songs on this album will encourage a long-time Christian as well as a new believer. Each of them stresses God's love and faithfulness and gives a real feeling of security in Him. The Whole Truth shows once again that Point of Grace can address spiritual issues with honesty and style.