Closer | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 22, 2011 | |||
Genre | CCM | |||
Length | 46:12 | |||
Label | Sparrow | |||
Producer | Christopher Stevens | |||
Shawn McDonald chronology | ||||
|
Closer is the fourth studio album by American Christian singer-songwriter Shawn McDonald. The album was released on March 22, 2011 by Sparrow Records, and was produced by Christopher Stevens. The album saw commercial success and positive reception.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
About.com | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
CCM Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christian Broadcasting Network | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christian Music Zine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christianity Today | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cross Rhythms | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Jesus Freak Hideout | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Louder Than the Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Melodic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Closer garnered generally positive reception from twelve music critics ratings and reviews. At AllMusic, Jared Johnson rated the album three-and-a-half stars, stating how the release "finds him at his deepest and most thought-provoking". [2] Grace S. Aspinwall of CCM Magazine rated the album three stars, writing that the release "is a brave and courageous peak inside his heart." [3] At Jesus Freak Hideout, Kevin Hoskins rated the album three-and-a-half stars, saying "this is a very good and expectedly diverse" release. [8] Scott Fryberger of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album three stars, stating that it is "just a radio playlist." [9] At About.com, Kim Jones rated the album three-and-a-half stars, writing that "On all 13 tracks, he shares beautiful examples of finding hope in the pain, light in the darkness." [1] Jennifer E. Jones of Christian Broadcasting Network rated the album four spins, writing that "listeners will be encouraged that hard times are inevitable but God’s grace is everlasting." [4] At Cross Rhythms, Tom Lennie rated the album nine squares, saying it is "A beautiful, deeply moving batch of fresh songs from this most gifted of singer/songwriters." [7] Jeremy V. Jones of Christianity Today rated the album two stars, stating that "Unfortunately, a closer look behind Closer's soundtrack-ready pop production reveals more broad vagary than depth." [6] Melodic's Cor Jan Kat rated the album three-and-a-half stars, remarking that "The sound of the album is really good and producer Christopher Stevens gets the credits for that." [11] At Christian Music Zine, Tyler Hess rated the album two-and-a-half stars, writing that "Shawn McDonald's 'Closer' is not an album of personal triumph, but one of renewed joy in the midst of self-inflicted wounds." [5] Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music rated the album four stars, saying that McDonald "is a talented songwriter who has just created anoter[ sic ] really interesting album." [10] At The Phantom Tollbooth, Scott S. Mertens gave a positive review of the album, stating how the release contains "all the story telling, praise and worship, and musical prowess as previous efforts but with a much more polished pop sensibility." [12]
For the Billboard charting week of April 9, 2011, Closer was the No. 170 most sold album in the entirety of the United States by the Billboard 200, and it was the No. 14 most sold Top Christian Album.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Better Way" | Shawn McDonald, Jake Smith, Christopher Stevens | 3:56 |
2. | "Hope" | McDonald, Joy Williams | 3:15 |
3. | "Closer" | Ben Glover, McDonald | 3:23 |
4. | "Faithful" | Glover, McDonald | 3:25 |
5. | "The Space Between Us" | Glover, McDonald | 3:40 |
6. | "Something Real" | Jason Ingram, McDonald, Stevens | 3:44 |
7. | "Control" | Josh Garrels, McDonald, Stevens | 3:48 |
8. | "Don't Give Up" | McDonald | 4:25 |
9. | "Rise" | McDonald | 4:27 |
10. | "Eyes Forward" | McDonald, Stevens | 3:38 |
11. | "Storms" | McDonald | 4:07 |
12. | "Mystery" | McDonald | 4:24 |
Total length: | 46:12 |
Album
Chart (2011) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200 [13] | 170 |
US Christian Albums (Billboard) [14] | 14 |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
US Christian [15] | ||
2011 | "Closer" | 15 |
"Rise" | 18 |
Ripen is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Shawn McDonald. The album was released on March 7, 2006, on Sparrow Records. This album was produced by Will Hunt and Christopher Stevens. The album attained commercial charting successes and critical acclamation.
For the Love of the Game is the fifth studio album from Christian metal group Pillar, which was released on February 26, 2008. According to their website, Pillar defines the title as: "For the love of" = the passion of, and "The game" = the pursuit of Christ. This is the last album to include longtime drummer, Lester Estelle, and bass player and founding member, Michael Wittig until they rejoined the band in 2012. During live performances of "Smiling Down", Rob Beckley plays acoustic guitar.
Roots is the third studio album by American Christian singer-songwriter Shawn McDonald. The album was released on March 11, 2008, by Sparrow Records. This album was produced by Christopher Stevens. The album got commercial successes and positive reception.
Christmas in Diverse City is TobyMac's first full-length Christmas album as well as his fifth studio album. It was released on October 4, 2011.
Zion is the third studio album by Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United. It was released on 22 February 2013 for Australia, and was released by 26 February 2013 internationally, under Hillsong Music and Sparrow Records. Production for the album began in March 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Michael Guy Chislett and band member Joel Houston oversaw production of the album, with the latter serving as executive producer.
Kings & Queens is the ninth studio album by Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline, the only Audio Adrenaline album with Kevin Max as the lead singer and the last album with bassist and founding member Will McGinniss. The album was released on March 12, 2013, and was the first album after their comeback and with the Fair Trade Services label. Kings & Queens garnered critical acclaim from music critics, and has seen chart successes.
Royal Tailor is the eponymously named second and final studio album from Christian pop rock band Royal Tailor. It was released on October 22, 2013 by Essential Records, and was produced by Chuck Butler, Aaron Lindsey and Christopher Stevens. The album was well received by Christian music critics, and is Royal Tailor's highest charting release to date.
Christmas Is Here is a holiday studio album from Christian Contemporary Christian musician Brandon Heath, released on October 15, 2013 by Reunion Records and produced by Ben Shive. The album achieved commercial success and critical acclaim.
Glory is the eighth studio album from Christian rock band Kutless, and the album released on February 11, 2014 by BEC Recordings. It is the band's final album with long-time rhythm guitarist Nick DePartee, as well as their only album with drummer Kyle Peek.. The producers on the album were Ian Eskelin and Dave Lubben. This album received generally positive reception from critics.
Oh for Joy is the first holiday studio album and tenth album overall from Christian rock group David Crowder Band, and was produced by the band as well. The album was released on October 4, 2011 by sixstepsrecords, and has attracted generally positive critical attention.
Economy is the second studio album by Christian singer-songwriter John Mark McMillan, released on November 1, 2011 by Integrity Music. The album was produced by McMillan, Jeremy Griffith and Joel Khouri.
Love Will Have the Final Word is the fourth studio album from Christian singer and songwriter Jason Gray. The album was released on March 4, 2014 by Centricity Music. The producers on the album were Jason Ingram and Cason Cooley. The album achieved commercial charting successes and it received critical acclaim.
Brave is the sixth studio album from Christian singer-songwriter Shawn McDonald, released on April 15, 2014 by Sparrow Records. It was produced by David Garcia, Jamie Kenney and Christopher Stevens.
Creation/Destruction is the second studio album by American metalcore band Fit for a King. It was released on March 12, 2013, through Solid State Records and was produced by Andreas Magnusson. The album attracted both commercial successes and positive criticism.
Crimson Cord is the fifth studio album from Christian hip hop recording artist Propaganda. The album was produced by Beautiful Eulogy and released by Humble Beast Records on April 29, 2014. It met with commercial and critical success.
Brother is the first studio album by The Brilliance released on February 17, 2015 by Integrity Music.
Adriel Cruz, who goes by the stage name Skrip stylized as SKRIP, is an American Christian hip hop musician and producer. He released two independent albums, 2011's The Und_rscore and Becoming All Things, which caught the attention of Infiltrate Music. They signed him, and his first release with the label was 2013's, The Und_rscore II, yet this failed to chart. His subsequent album, Renegades Never Die, was released in 2015 with Infiltrate Music. This was a Billboard chart breakthrough release.
Henry Andrade, known professionally as RedCloud, is an American rapper based in Los Angeles, California who creates hip hop tracks recognizably influenced by his spiritual and Indigenous heritage.
As Family We Go is the fifth studio album by Rend Collective. Sparrow Records alongside Capitol Christian Music Group released the album on 21 August 2015.