| Fearless | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 4, 2009 | |||
| Genre | Contemporary Christian, contemporary worship, inspirational | |||
| Length | 44:00 | |||
| Label | INO | |||
| Producer | Bernie Herms | |||
| Phillips, Craig and Dean chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Fearless | ||||
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Fearless is the eleventh studio album from Contemporary Christian group Phillips, Craig and Dean. It was released on August 4, 2009., [1] and won a Dove Award for 'Inspirational Album of the Year' at the 41st annual GMA Dove Awards. [2]
Randy Phillips explained how they found the album's theme:
“We were talking about how afraid our church members are today. A look at your finances right now might mean kids who wanted to go to college can't, and so on. The fear that brings can be paralyzing... But then we asked ourselves, Shouldn't believers who have the heart of eternity in them be different? That's where we found our theme; fear less, hope more.”
Shawn Craig explained his view of the album's message:
“Fearless is a statement against the current level of anxiety that's being sold by the loudest voices in our culture... But I've also been inspired by the stories of Christians in parts of India. A missionary our church supports tells us about many who are baptized there in spite of being shunned by family or even endangering their live. That's being fearless. We all need that kind of courage.” [3]
The first track on the album, "Counting on God", a pop worship song written by Jared Anderson, is paraphrased by Randy Phillips as "Get out of the funk. Embrace life! Run headlong into it. Start counting on God." Album producer Bernie Herms wanted Phillips to "Get in the microphone and growl" and had him singing through a magazine to produce a vocal effect.
When explaining the meaning of "Revelation Song", Randy Phillips stated that it “captures the moment of looking up into Heaven, peeling back the curtain of eternity so we can peek in. If you keep your eyes on the Dow Jones or nuclear weapons in North Korea, you’ll always be nervous. Look to the awesomeness of God instead.” The song was written by Jennie Lee Riddle.
Another song on the album, "Let God Be God", was written by Dan Dean in response to global instability. Dean stated that "This is the perfect time for us to say, Don't panic. God is in control. Jesus asks in Luke 12:25: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" One of the edgier songs the band has recorded, the song even has a James Brown scream, which Dean originally recorded to be funny, but it eventually stuck.
"The Distance", an original song written by Shawn Craig, is explained by him as "The idea is that God couldn't stand the distance between us, so He came near. There's a bit of hyperbole in that, but the principle is true. God shows His love in spanning the canyon between mankind and Himself with the humble cross. I feel as strongly about that lyric as any I've written."
"Nothing to Prove", an adult contemporary song, was written by Dan Dean in response to the death of a close friend and church member's father. "I'll never forget the morning he called and said, 'My dad is gone,'" Dean recalled. "It was brilliant and sad, and I went into the chapel with a heavy heart asking God what I could do, and out came this song with words that I hope can be said about me someday."
Randy Phillips also explained the message and style of "Spirit Of God Is Here". "If you love golf, talking to Tiger Woods would be an honor. If it were politics, maybe you'd enjoy speaking with President Obama. But to talk to God! That's amazing. And musically, Bernie gives the song some Coldplay cool."
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Christian Music Review | (8.9/10 B+) link |
Fearless was received positively by CCM fans, selling over 10,000 units during its first week of release, peaking at no. 1 on the Hot Christian Albums chart and no. 49 on the Billboard 200, both career highs for Phillips, Craig and Dean. [4]
Fearless was also received positively by critics. Kevin Davis of Christian Music Review gave the album a B+, commenting that he particularly enjoyed “Counting On God”, “From The Inside Out”, “Revelation Song” and “The Distance”. [5]
The album's first single, "Revelation Song", was released digitally on May 5, 2009. It was successful on the charts, reaching no. 1 on Billboard's Christian Songs and Christian AC charts, spending over 10 weeks at the top on both. It also had a run on the iTunes Christian Singles chart, reaching no. 1 on it as well. [6] The song won a Dove Award for 'Worship Song of the Year' at the 2010 Dove Awards, at which it was performed live by Phillips, Craig and Dean and Kari Jobe. [7]
"Great Are You Lord" was released as the second single of the album on April 30, 2010. It has currently peaked at No. 1 on the Soft AC/INSPO Chart, holding the spot for 3 weeks, 19 on the Christian AC chart, and 22 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. After dropping out of the main Soft AC/INSPO chart, it also peaked at no. 1 on the Soft AC/INSPO recurrent chart.
"From The Inside Out" was released as the third single from the album, peaking at No. 39 on the Christian Songs chart and No. 2 on the Soft AC/INSPO Chart, their third top 5 single from the album. In addition, an album cut, 'Nothing to Prove', spent one week on the Soft AC/INSPO chart, peaking at No. 16.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Counting on God" | Jared Anderson | 3:54 |
| 2. | "From the Inside Out" | Joel Houston | 4:48 |
| 3. | "Revelation Song" | Jennie Lee Riddle | 5:53 |
| 4. | "The Distance" | Shawn Craig, Bernie Herms | 4:13 |
| 5. | "When Grace Walks In" | Craig, Sam Mizell | 4:20 |
| 6. | "Spirit of God Is Here" | Randy Phillips, Paul Baloche | 3:56 |
| 7. | "Nothing to Prove" | Dan Dean | 4:35 |
| 8. | "Let God Be God" | Dean, Herms | 4:09 |
| 9. | "Great Are You Lord" | James Rueger, Tony Wood | 4:43 |
| 10. | "Name Above All Names" | Steve Sharp, Barry Weeks, Bryan Brown | 3:32 |
| Total length: | 44:00 | ||
Phillips, Craig and Dean
Musicians
Choir on "Revelation Song"
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | 46 |
| Billboard Top Christian Albums | 1 |
| Year | Song | Peak Chart Position | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Songs | Soft AC/Inspirational | Christian AC Monitored | ||
| 2009 | "Revelation Song" | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | "Great Are You Lord" | 19 | 1 | 17 |
| 2011 | "Nothing To Prove" | – | 16 | – |
| 2011 | "From The Inside Out" | 39 | 2 | – |
Casting Crowns is the first studio album by American Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman, the album was released on October 7, 2003, by Beach Street Records. It incorporates a pop rock and rock sound, with the main instruments used in the album being guitar, keyboard and violin. Casting Crowns received positive reviews from music critics, many of whom praised the album's lyrics and production quality. It was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 35th GMA Dove Awards, while its singles were nominated for and received various awards.
Phillips, Craig and Dean is a contemporary Christian music trio composed of pastors Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig, and Dan Dean. Since forming in 1991, the group has sold over two million units. They have also received ten GMA Dove Award nominations, winning four, including Praise and Worship Album of the Year in 2007 for Top of My Lungs, and Inspirational Album of the Year in 2010 for Fearless.
Live for You is the debut album of Christian pop singer Rachael Lampa, released in 2000 on Word Records. It debuted at No. 2 on Billboard magazine's "Top Heatseeker's Album" chart and No. 6 on SoundScan's Top Current Contemporary Christian album chart.
"Who Am I" is a song recorded by Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman, it was released on February 22, 2004, as the second single from the band's 2003 self-titled debut album. A pop rock and adult contemporary ballad, the song is based around the piano and utilizes orchestral sounds. Lyrically, the song is centered on worshiping God. The song received positive reviews from music critics upon its release, with several regarding it as one of the best songs on their debut album.
"East to West" is a song recorded by contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms and produced by Mark A Miller, it was released as the lead single from the band's 2007 album The Altar and the Door. Lyrically, the song deals with the concept of forgiveness. The song met with a positive to mixed reception from music critics and won two awards at the 39th GMA Dove Awards: Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. It was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance at the 51st Grammy Awards.
Spoken For is the second studio album by Christian rock band MercyMe. Produce by Pete Kipley, the album was released on October 1, 2002 by INO Records. The album's production, which followed the success of "I Can Only Imagine" on Christian radio, was described by lead singer Bart Millard as "nerve-racking"; the album musically represents a shift in the band's musical style, with critics variously identifying it as roots rock, pop rock, or adult contemporary. Lyrically, the album focuses on worship and the concept of Christians as being "spoken for" by God.
Top of My Lungs is the eleventh studio album from contemporary Christian group Phillips, Craig and Dean. It was released through INO Records on September 16, 2006. The album features the radio hit singles, "Saved the Day", "Your Name", and "Top of My Lungs".
"Revelation Song" is a song written by Jennie Lee Riddle with lyrics adapted from Revelation 4 of the New Testament. The song first gained exposure on U.S. Christian radio through a Christ for the Nations Institute recording, "Glorious" in 2004, as well as on Gateway Worship's debut album, Living for You in 2006, and subsequently included on Kari Jobe's self-titled album. It was later released by Phillips, Craig and Dean as the first single off Fearless.
"Word of God Speak" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by Bart Millard and Pete Kipley, "Word of God Speak" uses sparse instrumentation, featuring only piano and strings to accompany Millard's vocals. The lyrics to "Word of God Speak" reflect on the idea that it is impossible to speak of an infinite God with a limited vocabulary.
Phillips, Craig and Dean is Phillips, Craig and Dean's self-titled debut album, released on September 17, 1992. The songs "Turn Up the Radio" and "Favorite Song of All" were released as singles. Both of those songs, as well as "Midnight Oil", "This Is the Life" and "Little Bit of Morning", were included on their greatest hits album Favorite Songs of All.
Lifeline is Phillips, Craig and Dean's second album. Two singles, "Concert of the Age" and "I Want to Be Just Like You", were released to Christian radio. Both songs, along with "He'll Do Whatever It Takes" and "Build a Bridge of Love", were included on Favorite Songs of All. In addition, "Concert of the Age" was included in WOW 1996.
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 21, 2010 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2009. The show was held at The Opry Entertainment Complex in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Bart Millard.
Hope for All the World EP is the twelfth main studio release and second Christmas album by CCM trio Phillips, Craig and Dean. It was released on November 23, 2010. It was the group's first EP, however all songs from the EP were all later included in a full-length Christmas studio album released in 2013 with the same name, along with four brand new songs.
"Beautiful" is a song by contemporary Christian music band MercyMe. Written and composed by MercyMe, Dan Muckala, and Brown Bannister, the song was written for the daughters of the band's members. The song's lyrics revolve around self-worth and the love of God. "Beautiful" was released on September 17, 2010, as the second single from MercyMe's 2010 album The Generous Mr. Lovewell.
Jason Michael Bare is an American Christian singer. He self-released a 2011 album entitled Beautiful Design. Bare's song "For the First Time" was co-written by Nathan Walters of Plus One fame and reached the No. 1 spot on the Christian Music Weekly Worship chart and made it into the Top 30 of Billboard's Soft AC/Inspirational chart during December 2010. The album's lead single, "You Found Me" was released on March 11, 2010. The album produced two additional singles, "Beautiful Design" and "Blame". Bare completed and released a Christmas EP in November 2011. The album's lead single "Have You Heard" was co-written with American Idol alumni singer Felicia Barton.
Breathe In is the twelfth studio album from Christian Contemporary-Worship trio Phillips, Craig and Dean. It was released on March 13, 2012 on the Fair Trade Services label, and was produced by Bernie Herms and Nathan Nockels. The album has garnered positive reviews from the critics and the album has achieved commercial success as indicated by the charting positions.
"Hope in Front of Me" is a song co-written and recorded by American gospel singer Danny Gokey for his second studio album of the same name (2014). Gokey wrote the song with Brett James and its producer, Bernie Herms. It was released to Christian radio on January 24, 2014 and to digital retailers February 18, 2014 through BMG Rights Management as the record's lead single. "Hope in Front of Me" serves as Gokey's debut release on the BMG label and his first single in almost three years.
Above It All marks the thirteenth album from Phillips, Craig and Dean. Fair Trade Services released the project on November 10, 2014. Phillips, Craig and Dean worked with producers Seth Mosley and Nathan Nockels in the creation of this album.
Music Inspired by The Story is a 2011 compilation album of songs by various contemporary Christian music artists. The songs were inspired by scripture passages found in the Bible; it is included in a series with books by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. The album was named the Special Event Album of the Year at the 43rd GMA Dove Awards.
"Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" is a song written by Bernie Herms, Randy Phillips, and Matthew West and originally recorded by Contemporary Christian-Worship trio, Phillips, Craig and Dean for their twelfth studio album, Breathe In (2012). It was later recorded by American singer Danny Gokey for his second studio album, Hope in Front of Me (2014), with production by Herms. Gokey's rendition was released to Christian radio January 8, 2016 through BMG-Chrysalis as the album's third single. The song reached number two on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, earning Gokey his highest-charting single to date.