Resound Radio | Album Reviews

Between the Dreaming

Bebo Norman | September 19th, 2006

The career of Bebo Norman has been an interesting one to follow. While Bebo always seems to have quality music, he relatively flew under the radar until his smash hit “Great Light Of The World” from Myself When I Am Real a few years back. Following that release was Try, which seemed to find Bebo Norman reacquainting himself with his folk roots. The disc released another hit “Nothing Without You.” So come year 2006, Bebo probably had the most momentum for an album release than anytime prior in his career. Enter Between The Dreaming And The Coming True, a definitive departure in Bebo's style and perhaps the defining moment of his career.

For a majority of his career, Bebo Norman was informally known as the bachelor of Christian Music. With his recent marriage, Between The Dreaming finds Bebo reinvigorated and exploring the thoughts of holy matrimony as well as singing praises to his heavenly Father. The CD is the most consistently upbeat of Norman's recent offerings and does not disappoint lyrically or musically. “Into The Day (It's Over Now)” shows the strong presence of piano before breaking into Norman's more familiar acoustic feel. Even then, the song is still incredibly upbeat and a joy to listen to repeatedly. “Be My Covering” follows next and is directed solely upward between singer and Father, the desperate and the redeemer. Following is “Time Takes Its Toll On Us,” which confronts the notion of losing our wonder in Christ, declaring Why is it so hard / To see you in the sunrise.

Fans of Bebo's more acoustic nature are not to be disappointed either as “I Know Now,” “I Will Lift My Eyes,” and “My Eyes Have Seen Holy” slow down the pace with the latter two being highlights of the album. The album has a strong worship feel throughout without ever being too overt.

The album closes with a more earthly view on relationships, most of which being love ballads directed to his wife. Of these songs, “Find My Way To You” is probably the most enjoyable. It's a real treat to see how a godly man can pursue a woman in song. The album closes with “Sunday” and “Now That You're Gone,” the former possibly being a little awkward for some listeners unless they have someone in their life they can relate the song to.

All things considered, this is an excellent release from a gifted singer/songwriter. Some see it as a negative thing that Bebo was not the sole songwriter on this album, but it only increases the lyrical range and interest of the album. Bebo Norman has a gift for being very transparent and authentic, both things being present on this album. Between The Dreaming And The Coming True is a breath of fresh air into a sometimes dull acoustic/folk genre. If you've ever been a fan of lighthearted acoustic pop that is more than easy on the ears, this record is without a doubt one to check out.

Reviewed by Jarrod Steinmetz on November 16th, 2007

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