Jeremy Riddle
Full Attention
Varietal Records
Grade - A

            I am not a big listener of Christian radio.  For one thing the only station within reception is primarily a teaching and preaching station.  Secondly, most are quite repetitive with their AC lineup and not real exciting.  However, quite often I think that by not having a station to listen to, I am completely out of the scene and unaware of what is really popular.  When I read that Riddle’s single, “Sweetly Broken” had been topping the charts all of 2006, and then when I finally heard it on the CD, I realized that not having a station nearby was a real setback. 

            Knowing how well “Sweetly Broken” did in 2006, I am quite sure there are very few people on the fence about buying this album.  For those into the modern worship sound that is.  I am not saying it is for all, but for modern worship and AC, this CD is awesome.  For me it has revived a sedated desire for the modern worship genre.

            You will find Riddle listed with AC and Modern Worship artists like Tomlin, Shust, and maybe even the other Jeremy… Jeremy Camp.  Quite respectively, he belongs on such a list of who’s who.  I like to believe what I read about people’s mission or drive, and if from what I have read about Riddle, all the fame is not the goal.  As a youth pastor, Riddle is acting on a passion for others through the gift of music.  The heart of the album then is coming from an act of worship and not an act of marketing or charting. 

For the listener, this means passionate, moving lyrics and cut-to-the-heart vocals that can elevate you to a higher place of worship.  Top that all off with a state of the art production and skilled musicians, and you have one amazing project.

    
- Ken W.