| Closer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 22, 2011 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| 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 |    [1] |
| AllMusic | [2] |
| CCM Magazine | [3] |
| Christian Broadcasting Network |   [4] |
| Christian Music Zine | [5] |
| Christianity Today | [6] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [7] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [8] [9] |
| Louder Than the Music | [10] |
| Melodic | [11] |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warr Acres is the debut studio album from contemporary worship music band Warr Acres. The album released on August 23, 2011 by DREAM Records. Band members' Chris Crow and Jaron Nix produced the album. The album met with commercial charting successes, and mostly mixed reviews but overall barely positive reception.
Neon Steeple is the debut studio album from the mononymously known Christian musician Crowder. It was released on May 27, 2014 by Sparrow Records and sixstepsrecords, and the producers were Ed Cash, David Crowder, Jared Fox, Will Hunt, Solomon Olds, Christian Paschall, Gabe Scott and Christopher Stevens. The album sold 22,000 copies in its opening week of sales, causing it to debut at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
Invisible Empires is the seventh studio album and tenth album overall from Christian singer and songwriter Sara Groves, and it released on October 18, 2011 by Fair Trade and Columbia Records. The producers on the album were Steve Hindalong and Stephen Leiweke. This release became critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
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.
Time in Place is the debut studio album from the American rock band Artifex Pereo. The album was released on May 27, 2014 by Tooth & Nail Records. This album was produced by Kris Crummett. The album charted on two Billboard charts, and met with a positive critical reception.
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.
Live from the Woods at Fontanel is the first live album from Needtobreathe. Atlantic Records alongside Word Records released the album on April 14, 2015. It was Recorded on September 13, 2014 during the Rivers in the Wasteland Tour.
Heath Daniel McNease is an American Christian hip hop and folk rock musician. He released four albums with 7Spin Music, two of those hip hop releases, The Heath McNease Fanclub Meets in 2007 and The Gun Show in 2010, while he released two folk rock roots releases, The House Always Wins in 2010 and Shine On in 2010. The remainder of his albums have been released independently. He released four hip hop albums, Straight Outta Console: The Nintendo Thumb Mixtape in 2011, Thrift Store Jesus in 2012, Jesus Shuttlesworth: The Mixtape and The Weight of Glory: Second Edition in 2013, and Among Thieves in 2014, while two were folk rock roots releases, The Weight of Glory – Songs Inspired by the Works of C.S. Lewis in 2012, and Fort Wayne in 2014.
Douglas William Krum, Jr., better known by his stage name Krum, is an American hip hop musician. He's released nine studio albums, one extended play, and three mixtapes in his career.
Exhale is the eighth studio album by Thousand Foot Krutch. The Fuel Music released the album on June 17, 2016. The album debuted at number 34 on the US Billboard 200, selling 14,000 copies.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)