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Imagination

Bethany Dillon | August 16th, 2005

Bethany Dillon is still somewhat of an oddity. After releasing her self-titled debut in 2004, she was critically acclaimed as a songwriter and a budding artist—even proving herself with a few radio hits to boot. Curiously, her sophomore album Imagination shows a definite improvement in her songwriting skills but failing to increase her radio friendliness. The album boasts some of the best lyricism from a solo artist in quite sometime (not to mention she was only 17 with the release of this album). While this CD may not be as ready for radio as her debut was, it is an incredible joy to listen to and solidifies Dillon's career in the Christian market.

The album begins with the most upbeat track “Dreamer.” The song depicts a king who is willing to give his life to protect his kingdom. The song also utilizes much more instrumentation than her debut with an increase in amplified guitar and less of the acoustic feel. “Hallelujah” follows which probably has the most infectious chorus of the whole album, a great worship song.

The first hiccup in the album comes next with “All That I Can Do.” The song seems to spin its wheels without ever going anywhere. However, the next song is truly a highlight on the album. “Airplane” begins with just a simple bass line as Dillon sings of finding God on an airplane trip. The lyrics are incredibly relevant with the lines, A baby's talking two rows behind me / The sun just set for the second time today / You seem to use the smallest things around me / To get me to this place / This is where I see you. The whole song is an amazing lyric displaying the potential Dillon has.

The second half of the album has highlights “New” and “Vagabond,” yet Dillon's lyrics absolutely shine through on the final two songs of the album. “Be Near Me” is an incredibly humbling cry to God: I follow all the rules / Well, at least I'm trying / Hoping when my days are through / You'll be pleased / I've lived the longest days / Thinking my heart was so bad / Too scared to look in Your face / Oh, if only I had. The song is an excellent reminder of the compassion and love of God the Father.

Lastly is the title track, “Imagination.” The song has absolutely no hook and is only Bethany's vocals over the slight strummings of an acoustic guitar. Dillon hauntingly sings, Isn't that just like a finite mind / Setting out with such righteous indignation / But now I'm at your feet / Could you look at me with some imagination. The pensive song may get stuck in your head for a few hours as you repeat lines from the song for no apparent reason.

Imagination is not a perfect album. It may get a little tiring after repeated listens, but it is one that you can easily come back to every once in a while and be completely refreshed. Bethany Dillon may not be everyone's cup of tea, and she certainly never crosses the 'edgy' line, but she has a knack for writing a pertinent song that can cut to the core. The record, as a whole, has a raw feel to it that accentuates Dillon's style beautifully. Imagination is certainly better than Dillon's debut. I can only hope to hear more like this from her in the future.

The album begins with the most upbeat track “Dreamer.” The song depicts a king who is willing to give his life to protect his kingdom. The song also utilizes much more instrumentation than her debut with an increase in amplified guitar and less of the acoustic feel. “Hallelujah” follows which probably has the most infectious chorus of the whole album, a great worship song.

The first hiccup in the album comes next with “All That I Can Do.” The song seems to spin its wheels without ever going anywhere. However, the next song is truly a highlight on the album. “Airplane” begins with just a simple bass line as Dillon sings of finding God on an airplane trip. The lyrics are incredibly relevant with the lines, A baby's talking two rows behind me / The sun just set for the second time today / You seem to use the smallest things around me / To get me to this place / This is where I see you. The whole song is an amazing lyric displaying the potential Dillon has.

The second half of the album has highlights “New” and “Vagabond,” yet Dillon's lyrics absolutely shine through on the final two songs of the album. “Be Near Me” is an incredibly humbling cry to God: I follow all the rules / Well, at least I'm trying / Hoping when my days are through / You'll be pleased / I've lived the longest days / Thinking my heart was so bad / Too scared to look in Your face / Oh, if only I had. The song is an excellent reminder of the compassion and love of God the Father.

Lastly is the title track, “Imagination.” The song has absolutely no hook and is only Bethany's vocals over the slight strummings of an acoustic guitar. Dillon hauntingly sings, Isn't that just like a finite mind / Setting out with such righteous indignation / But now I'm at your feet / Could you look at me with some imagination. The pensive song may get stuck in your head for a few hours as you repeat lines from the song for no apparent reason.

Imagination is not a perfect album. It may get a little tiring after repeated listens, but it is one that you can easily come back to every once in a while and be completely refreshed. Bethany Dillon may not be everyone's cup of tea, and she certainly never crosses the 'edgy' line, but she has a knack for writing a pertinent song that can cut to the core. The record, as a whole, has a raw feel to it that accentuates Dillon's style beautifully. Imagination is certainly better than Dillon's debut. I can only hope to hear more like this from her in the future.

Reviewed by Jarrod Steinmetz on December 16th, 2007

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