Chris Lee

Quick: what’s the difference between Sandy Patti and Twila Paris? Between Women of Faith and BarlowGirl? Between Michael W. Smith performing “Above All” versus Michael W. Smith performing “Agnus Dei?” The former are interpretive artists primarily singing songs composed by others, whereas the latter are singer/songwriters doing their own material. Chris Lee did not write any songs on his debut project, Chris Lee, which means he carries the interpretive artist’s extra burden of selecting great songs and singing them better than most. (Otherwise, the audience may as well buy CDs directly from the mouths of singer/songwriters.) Lee, however, wears the crown of interpretive artist well; this album is a winner.

If you’ve never heard Chris Lee at a Michael English concert, think of him as a Christian version of Nick Lachey, the ex-Mr.-Jessica Simpson who sings “What’s Left of Me.” Lee is drawn to a similar style of song, namely well-produced, melodic, angsty pop-rock ballads with a soaring hook. Interestingly enough, Lee’s voice is effortlessly pure on the soft, lower notes of the verses, but gets a gritty edge on the high notes of the chorus, either from the strain or from artistic passion – who knows and who cares which.

After moving to Nashville, Lee spent several years touring on the road with Curb Records artist Michael English (known for interpreting “In Christ Alone” by Shaun Craig and Don Koch,) who gave Lee “a shot when no one else would.” On a few songs, English contributes his rich tenor to the beautiful but subdued background vocals, which sway behind the melody like velvet drapes.

These songs are polished to a mellow shine. They share tasteful arrangements, the kind where the guitar, percussion, and background vocals are decidedly present but never detract from the main message. The acoustic piano on “If I Don’t Bring You Glory” and “I Could Never Love” is refreshing as rain, while the mournful keyboard on the hymnlike “Out of Ashes” transports the listener from graveside to heaven’s gate. “Out of ashes into freedom / Out of dying into life / See the joy that’s set before us / In the blinding cross of Christ” (“Out of Ashes”).

The lyrics of Lee’s song choices run personal and they run deep. “If you want to feel all alone, walk away / Try to find a home of your own, walk away … Stay with me, I have all you need / You’ve tried everything, oh everything … no more running away, just stay” (“Stay”). “It’s the only reason why I’m alive / Wasting all the air I breathe is worthless / Lord, if I don’t bring You Glory” (“If I Don’t Bring You Glory”). “Just as I am I render Him and mercy took me in / Just as I am and He forgave my sin / Oh the way He’s changing my heart proves / That He loves me too much to leave me just as I am” (“Just As I Am”). “Braid our hearts / Braid our minds / Braid our souls into one / Intertwine / Braid of the Father, Braid of the Son / Braid of the Spirit working as one” (“Braid”).

I’d like to discuss in depth every song I marked with a star while listening to this album, but there are just too many stars. The voice, the lyrics, the instrumentation, the soft rock/pop arrangements, the mix, the consistency – if you sample any one song and like/hate/love it, you’ll like/hate/love the entire album.

Okay. There is one thing I would change: I don’t like Lee’s facial expression on the cover photograph. And I’d really like it if there were 21 tracks instead of eleven.

Tagged as: Chris Lee

↓ One comment

#1 Evelyn Hopkins on January 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am

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I agree I have never! The whole album will touch your heart and move you to tears. I happen to know him, and his heart is pure. God Blessed him with a Mother and Father who lifted Chris up all the way. They made sacrifices and God is rewarding them through their son. Yes alot of Christian singers out there but few are as pure as in their hearts as Chris. So Thankful.

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