Carry Me

Personnel: Josh Wilson (vocals, guitars, keyboards, background vocals); Matt Bronleewe (guitars, keyboards); Chris Carmichael (strings); Sam Levine (woodwinds, saxophone); Jeremy Lutito (drums); Fred Williams (programming).
Audio Mixer: Shane D. Wilson.
Recording information: The Grey Area, Nashville, TN; Wide Studios, Nashville, TN.
Editor: John Denosky.
Photographer: Lee Steffen .
While CCM artist Josh Wilson always had that acoustic, down-home, and American sound to match his well-worn jean jacket, his excellent 2013 album Carry Me finds new inspiration in slice-of-life, strum-along songs, and one can't help but wonder if secular artists like Mumford & Sons and/or Lady Antebellum are at least partially responsible. Here, the opening highlight "Pushing Back the Dark" has a mandolin strum and bass drum backbeat that are both very Antebellum and up, while the late album uplift called "One Safe Soul" is as warm and comfortable as one of the Mumford gang's sweaters, but these are still just musical influences, as the message remains that Christ's love offers the most comfort. Then there are the more rock- and electronic-based songs, such as the epic "Symphony," which builds like a Hillsong United show opener, plus the funky drum machine beats that drive the midtempo numbers, showcasing Wilson's newfound love of effectively blending the acoustic with the electronic. ~ David Jeffries