| The Generous Mr. Lovewell is a fictitious character | | | | No matter how small, believing that it's all the same |
| from the creative musical minds of MercyMe. The | | | | Come on Mr. Lovewell, oh we could use a few more |
| band has fashioned him to embody the good-hearted | | | | just like you |
| expressions of righteousness, love, and | | | | To care enough to give this life away |
| kind-heartedness that we should all should be engaging | | | | 'Cause you've been changed/the Generous Mr. |
| in. In Mr. Lovewell's world, doing good is never debated | | | | Lovewell loves today. |
| or contemplated; it's merely carried out from a heart of | | | | Overall, this album has some really fresh |
| compassion. So how well does The Generous Mr. | | | | experimentation in musical textures and grooves going |
| Lovewell album properly convey that same attitude to | | | | on that music lovers will appreciate. In a time where |
| audiences? | | | | lack of musical creativity is more evident than anything |
| The Generous Mr. Lovewell, MercyMe's 8th CD, is a | | | | else in some artists' works, it's clear that MercyMe |
| higher energy work than previous releases. It's a good | | | | invested abundant time in composing Mr. Lovewell. I |
| balance to the band's more contemplative classics like | | | | love the retro 60's spy movie vibe in "Crazy Enough", |
| "I Can Only Imagine" and "God With Us". There is | | | | showing us that the group's creative juices are far |
| generous use of distorted guitars and heavy synth | | | | from tapped out. And "Beautiful" has a wonderful |
| patches, all working together to create a tasteful | | | | suspended trance-type texture that is both haunting |
| tapestry of feel-good Christian music. | | | | and intriguing. Overall, each song on the album plays a |
| Some highlights... | | | | part in building a colorful palate of sounds and musical |
| "This Life" is a high energy electro-trance kick-off, | | | | textures. |
| reminding me of the Newsboys from the '90's. The | | | | No MercyMe album would be complete without a |
| throbbing bass and rockin' drums lay the musical | | | | radio-friendly masterpiece; the out-of-the-ballpark |
| foundation for "This Life", sending the message that | | | | anthem of the same magnitude in Christian music as "I |
| we were meant make the utmost of the life given us. | | | | Can Only Imagine". "All of Creation" appears |
| I don't have to stall/I don't have to wait | | | | tailor-made to fill that order. With Bart Millard's powerful |
| Don't have to bide my time/'Til I make my escape | | | | vocals delivering this new anthem, the lyrics are |
| 'Cause heaven's in my heart/ I won't settle for less | | | | drenched with praise to an all-encompassing Creator |
| I will lift up Your name/by the life I live | | | | who made us to rejoice in His glory, and who opens |
| Every moment is a chance to let your life break | | | | the doors eternity for His believers. |
| through. | | | | Time's faded |
| This Life - this life was meant to shine. | | | | And we see Him face to face |
| Slightly campy but ever so catchy, the title track "The | | | | Every doubt erased |
| Generous Mr. Lovewell" sounds like it takes some of | | | | Forever we will worship the King |
| its influence from The Beatle's Yellow Submarine | | | | All of creation sing with me now |
| movie. The boppy groove is similar to "So Long Self", | | | | Lift up your voice and lay your burden down |
| but the distinctly novel and refreshing persona of Mr. | | | | All of creation sing with me now |
| Lovewell shines through in this original song. It clearly | | | | Fill up the heavens, let His glory resound |
| communicates that we need more Mr. Lovewell's in | | | | Having experienced the album, it's clear that the idea |
| the world; spreading love just for love's sake. The | | | | of a "Mr. Lovewell" goes beyond just a "hook" for |
| background vocals and synth sounds really help | | | | marketing a new CD. MercyMe uses the courtly |
| convey an irresistible light-hearted character; balancing | | | | character as an inspiration for listeners across the |
| the more weighty Commission given to us to be lights | | | | country to reach out to others with acts of charity, |
| to this world. | | | | acts of kindness, and acts of love - to point them to |
| He wakes up every day the same/Believing he's going | | | | the Author of love. It then becomes a powerful vehicle |
| to make a change | | | | to change our world. |
| Never wonders if but when | | | | Yes, The Generous Mr. Lovewell is a chivalrous and |
| I guarantee he can find a way/to reach out and make | | | | thoughtful gentleman we should all get to know better |
| somebody's day/'cause someone took the time with | | | | - both within the confines of our CD collections - AND |
| him. | | | | in how we interact with others. |
| Hey Mr. Lovewell, do in a day what you do everyday | | | | |