It's always great to find a smart songwriter who keeps his balance. As it says in Ecclesiastes 7:16-18, it's important to keep your balance--God is Lord over all of our lives, not just the "religious" parts. Some Christian songwriters waste their time on spiritually shallow bumper-sticker slogans spring-loaded with the name of Jesus; some overreact and spend all their creative energy on songs that speak truly of the human condition, but without eternal perspective. Scott Faircloff's songs of spiritual hope and physical need, coated warmly in memorable, often bittersweet melodies, strike a near-perfect balance. Tracks like the sauntering "Pulling Me Closer" and the catchy, rockin' "Wrecking Ball Chain" are inventive praise songs, reminders that the Lord is calmly ever-present in our lives. The jangly "Frog's Lament" is an honest, light-hearted anthem for anyone who's ever felt unrequited love. The real standout is "Ultimate Sign": Recalling John Lennon with its amazing melodic sense, jaded rhythmic bounce and delicate harmonies, the song speaks of the importance of including the Lord's will in our romantic entanglements. Scott Faircloff is a must-have for any music fan looking for a little balance and a lot of brilliance.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Paul Michael CarhartIf you are still mourning the passing of John Lennon and wonder what kind of music he might be putting out had he become a Christian and were still alive, a heavy dose of Scott Faircloff's self-titled debut release might be just what the doctor ordered to paint that musical picture. "Pulling Me Closer," "Wrecking Ball Chain," "When God Whispers," "Under Your Wing," and most especially "Ultimate…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Cathy CourtwrightScott Faircloff's self-titled debut covers a variety of musical sounds. It mixes his love for acoustic-based modern rock artists such as Toad the Wet Sprocket, Michael Penn, and Jars of Clay with classic British pop artists like The Beatles and Elton John. Most of the songs, however, fall into one of two categories: dramatic ballads or Beatlesque pop. The ballads "Hearts of Passion," "Long…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Elisa MussoScott Faircloff's first project, produced by Dino and John Elefante, is fairly well-crafted. There is a good variety of musical styles represented here: folk, pop, and rock. Some of the vocal arrangements are reminiscent of the Beatles--John Lennon, in particular. Faircloff's interesting voice saves it from being a run-of-the-mill endeavor. He can sing a ballad, a praise chorus, and a rock 'n…
