1 Girl nation CD Review

     On August 20, 2013 1GirlNation will release their highly anticipated self-titled debut album through Reunion Records. Birthed out of a competition for an all-girl faith based Christian pop band they have become sisters on a mission to share the Gospel of Christ through a positive uplifting album. Sharing messages of hope, positive self-image, and purpose, these five girls bring their personal experiences of a relationship with Christ and their musical gifts to the airwaves to fan the flame of a chosen generation to live for Christ.

     If I was going to compare them to a current Christian band's sound I would have to point the finger toward Royal Tailor. The irony in this is that they have a single on the album that features Royal; makes sense considering they are both extremely talented and have a huge opportunity to reach the future leaders in God’s army.

     Though I have heard the first single While We’re Young passing through the Christian radio stations, I was uncertain who it was until I did this review. The lyrics focus on how young people have the opportunity to learn from those who have gone before them, and try to save them the heartache of learning things the hard way. Living for Jesus while your young saves you from the future regrets you would have if you live in sin. “We’re gonna save ourselves the heartache, we’re not looking back on what we wished we'd done, we’re gonna risk it all for one thing, and live for Jesus while we’re young.”

     Looking to the Heavens for direction and help to be His feet and hands, Vertical is a call to the children of God. Reaching out to the lost and the broken to be His reflection to change the world is what we are here to do. This is definitely a dance song. I can see little girls jumping on their beds listening to this and feeling empowered to live for Christ. I have also personally seen an almost forty year old driving down the street bobbing her head, but that’s a different story.

Each person is made for a purpose and created in the likeness of Christ. Live For You, expresses the magnitude and love of God that He used when He designed you. With the unexpected rap segment I revisited a spice girls moment and kind of had to chuckle. When you grow up in the 80’s like me you always compare any female that raps to them. That’s not a bad thing either, but you hear a lot of young female Christian artists incorporating this into their music these days. It’s a nice reminder of my youth and I am certain young people love this stuff.

     This album is young and vibrant and full of powerful lyrics to touch the hearts of youth. Each member has a chance to shine through vocally, which brings freshness to the album that you don’t get to experience when you have the same lead singer throughout. However, that does make it rather difficult to compare to other female artists, so I will simply say they are all great vocally.  It’s not an easy task to humbly portray the talent that currently seems a bit timid on this album. I feel in time after becoming more confident in their purpose and their gifts they will surprise themselves.   

 

      In The Eyes, is one of the most beautifully done songs on the album. In an entirely different realm from the rest of the album it’s really a worship song that edifies a person to new strength and self-image. If I was to hear this on the radio, I would think it was Kari Jobe. “You’re treasured. You are beautiful in the eyes of the one who made you. You are perfect. You’re worth more than you know, in the eyes of the one who made you.”  If the band reads this, I hope and pray that you make a worship album one day that reflects this composition. (This is me applauding in the background.) I love it.

     One of my favorite upbeat songs is Count Your Rainbows. I love the melody, the vocals and the message. I am going to make a call and say this will be one of their most popular songs. It’s a reminder of the promises of God and that even when you are facing a storm, beauty is formed from ashes and God is faithful. It’s such an uplifting youthful song with a fabulous message. “Sunshine mixed with a little bit of rain, beauty begins right after the pain.” I do believe that is going to be my facebook status soon.

     Royal Tailor joins the girls in Love Like Crazy, an upbeat message about burning bright and showing the world how the love of Christ shines. Invade, pushes the same message about getting out and telling the world about Christ. Invading the nation for Christ and shaking the foundations by spreading the truth of the Gospel.

     Turn Around, is among the top three best songs on the album. It seems to be such a prevalent message to all age groups today. I talk to so many people who feel like they are too far gone to accomplish anything or become anything or improve themselves.

“You don’t have to stay down, He can lift you up now. Cause you’re never too far from a brand new start, you can turn around.” This has truly beautiful lyrics that the world needs to hear and is spot on vocally.

     There is a song on this album that every Father should aim to hear his daughter say to him. Daddy’s Girl, is definitely a love song from a daughter to a Father.  A relationship built through the love and direction of Christ that starts at childhood and lasts through a lifetime. For some people this would be a great memorial song to play on a DVD with photos from childhood growing up with their dad and giving it to him for Father’s day.

     Finishing off the song selections is 1GirlNation. If you want a song that is straight to the point and tells it how it is, this is it. Talking about how people get caught up in everyone’s drama, or pointing out things in other people’s lives that might not be pleasant. “It’s time for a little less talk because we all have faults; it’s time for a little less talk and a lot more walk.”

     Calling all ladies to come together and support each other and becoming unified standing tall in Christ. Kayli, who grew up in a military based family states the purpose in uniting with fellow band mates Kelsey, Lauryn, Lindsey and Carmen.

 “The whole point of everything that we do is to bring more people into the Kingdom of Christ. We were given these talents, abilities, tools, opportunities and platforms to get people to know the name of Jesus and that’s the only reason why we do what we do.”

 

     As a people in desperate need of modest young men and women for children to look up to, we can only hope this beautiful group of five talented ladies will catch the ear and the heart of the younger generations.

     1Girl Nation is about to take this message on a 50 city fall tour beginning in August as the premier musical guest. The Secret Keeper Girl "Crazy Hair" is a full production which includes a fashion show, mother/daughter conversation time, fun competitions and more. This movement was created to equip moms to connect with their daughters on critical topics from a Biblical perspective. You can join these young ladies along with thousands of others at this life changing event.

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