Sara Groves
The Other Side of Something
INO Records

Sara Groves sings stories. And the stories she tells on her third major record will make you think, especially about what really matters. Along with Rich Mullins, I never grow tired of listening to Sara's music. Her songs allow you to go along with her on her personal journey, a journey that at times all of us can identify with.

"Jeremiah," inspired by the Old Testament prophet, is an intensely personal song: "I was looking to myself, And I forgot the power of God, I was standing with a sparkler in my hand." Pride and vanity, as well as the search for meaning, is a reoccurring theme on this album, such as found in the song "What I Thought I Wanted." That song is, literally, right on the money.

"Esther," however, is not from the Old Testament (maybe in some way it is-I need to think about that one more) but Sara's Aunt Esther making a plea for help in dealing with the AIDS crisis in Africa. This is a courageous song on more than one level. Sara told me its her favorite cut on the album.

The uplifting "Compelled" contains the wow lyric "I have a new hope that blows away the small hopes I knew before." Aren't we all guilty of clinging onto "small hopes?"

The love song "Roll to the Middle,' opens with "We just had World War III in our kitchen." Yes, it's a love song.

My favorite track is the fascinating "The Boxer." "When you said this was a fight you weren't kidding." That opening lyric is just ambiguous enough to make you question, is this fight internal-personal demons? External-winning souls? (Sara told me its spiritual) Whatever the fight is about, the repetitive "bob and weave bob and weave" lets us know that its exhausting. How you interpret this song may depend upon where you are in your life. It's also the most musically ambitious song Sara has ever recorded. A bit of jazz improv, some 70s art rock, B3 organ, inconclusive ending, you need to close your eyes and listen to this song through your headphones. Christian radio will not play this song because there's nothing like it in Christian music, its too daring. I love it.

The album closes with the traditional hymn "Come Thou Font," which may seem out of place, until you read the lyrics. It's a perfect way to end this record.

As an added feature, many copies include a truly bonus CD. You can hear Sara discuss her new songs. This is a real treat.

Sara, thanks for sharing your journey. It makes me think about mine.

- Rob S.