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Almost There Review

After six independent releases, MercyMe strikes gold with their first national disc, entitled Almost There. While praise & worship music seems to be the trend, MercyMe offers a disc that tends to be the exception and not the norm. While lyrically sending vertical kudos, each cut is geared toward sending praise to the heavens. "I Worship You" kicks off the disc with a grand entrance; falling somewhere between adult contemporary and rock, the cut utilizes a swirling synth and acoustic guitars to weave a potent melody. "How Great Is Your Love" is a cut with an emotionally impressive chorus. Here, vocalist Bart Millard's delivers a compelling performance via effect-laden delays and a poignant delivery. "I Can Only Imagine" is a passionate piano-driven ballad. The tune begs the question what it would be like to be in the presence of God. Delivered with conviction, the song is emotionally compelling. Throughout the release, the guitar nuances of Mike Scheuchzer are reminiscent of U2's Edge, while keyboardist Jim Bryson places intense but subtle keyboard traces within the context of each tune. Almost There is a disc that holds power. It builds framework for the kingdom of God while lifting the souls of listeners along the way.

Review by: Steven Douglas Losey, All Music Guide