Todd Agnew – Grace Like Rain
Label: Ardent Records
Style: Modern Rock, Praise & Worship, Christian Pop
Released: 2003
My Grade: 3.5 stars
AMG: n/a
Sounds like: Jeremy Camp, Scott Stapp

Grace Like Rain , the debut release from Todd Agnew brings a lot of elements to the table. His album covers a lot of ground musically, from the funk rhythms of the opener “Reached Down” and “Romans 12:1” to the jazzy piano and vocals of “Kindness,” to the stronger power chords of “This Fragile Breath.” There are even some good blues licks in “Lay It Down.” And there are gospel undertones showing up all over the place.

Another interesting aspect that firmly roots the music in “different” territory is the fact that, instead of guitar solos, a violin is used. Not in a vibrato, classical way, but in a more country-ish fiddle sort of way, even though the rest of the music doesn’t in any ways resemble country.

The lyrics are worshipful, just as much as albums designed for worship (such as the Newsboy’s “Adoration”, or Jeremy Camp’s “Carried Me”) but the music is so much better and diverse that it would be very unfair to call this a worship album.

Agnew’s voice is husky and powerful, and he belts out the upbeat songs with all that’s in him, but sometimes he doesn’t seem to have the greatest control of his voice, taking away the impressiveness like that of Stapp.

At the end of it all though, maybe it’s just me, but I can’t seem to get into this album. I can easily see the artistic ability and effort put into it, but no matter how hard I try, it’s only rarely that I find myself bobbing my head or singing along to the songs. Hopefully it’s just me, because I do think “Grace Like Rain” is a very good and likable album.

Reviewed by: Christian

Official Website: toddagnew.com