Focus (Holly Starr album)

Last updated
Focus
HollyStarrFocus.jpg
Studio album by
Holly Starr
ReleasedOctober 2, 2012 (2012-10-02)
Genre
Length33:17
Label Save the City
Producer Chuck Butler, David Garcia, Christopher Stevens
Holly Starr chronology
Tapestry
(2010)		Focus
(2012)

Focus is the second studio album from the Christian singer and songwriter Holly Starr. The album released on October 2, 2012 via Save the City Records. The producers on the album were Chuck Butler, David Garcia and Christopher Stevens. The album received critical acclamation from music critics, yet it did not get much commercial success because it failed to chart.

Contents

Background

The album released on October 2, 2012 by Save the City Records, and the producers on the album were Chuck Butler, David Garcia and Christopher Stevens. This was the second studio album from the songstress Holly Starr.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
CCM Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Christian Music Zine4.75/5 [3]
CM AddictStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4]
Cross Rhythms Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [5]
Indie Vision MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Louder Than the MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [7]
New Release TuesdayStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [8]

Focus garnered critical acclaim from eight music critics. Robert Ham of Allmusic rated the album four stars, calling it a "pleasant surprise" because it kept up with contemporary musical trends. [1] At Cross Rhythms, Matthew Cordle rated the album a perfect ten, noting how the album comes "with a cleaner, tighter, more stripped-back sound, less electric and more acoustic" than its predecessor, and it is "Impeccably produced, this is a thoroughly modern pop sound conveying a thoroughly ancient message." [5] Christian Music Zine's Joshua Andre rated the album four-and-three-fourths, saying that this is a "brilliant" release on which "Holly's poignant lyrics and well-crafted pop melodies and ballads is sure to propel her soon, if not already, into the same league and caliber of songwriting as Nichole Nordeman and Jason Ingram." [3] Grace Thorson of CM Addict rated the album four-and-a-half stars, affirming that the release is "well-rounded". [4]

At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre rated the album four stars, stating that the release is "10 songs full of honest transparency collided with a pop nature". [6] Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday rated the album three-and-a-half stars, highlighting that the release "showcases Holly's incredible lyrical talent"; however, cautioning that her previous album "offers a better musical variety in my opinion, this project is far from disappointing, and is the perfect find for anyone looking for music with stripped back production and intimate lyrics of confession and praise." [8] Louder Than the Music's Jono Davies rated the album three-and-a-half stars, writing that "It isn't bubblegum pop, it's too creative and interesting to be pinpointed as that." [7] At CCM Magazine , Grace S. Aspinwall rated the album three stars, indicating that "Though the songwriting is a bit lacking in areas, this is a terrific start." [2]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Let Go" Holly Starr, David Garcia, Christopher Stevens 3:07
2."This Love"Starr, Chuck Butler, Chad Cates3:09
3."Don't Have Love"Starr, Stevens3:31
4."Through My Father's Eyes"Starr, Butler, Juan Otero3:08
5."Me and You"Starr, Ian Eskelin 2:59
6."Focus"Starr, Rusty Varenkamp3:24
7."Satisfied"Starr, Michael Fordinal3:02
8."Constant"Starr, Varenkamp3:26
9."I Believe"Starr, Robin Ghosh3:55
10."Grace for All"Starr, David Moffitt3:36
Total length:33:17

Related Research Articles

<i>Closer</i> (Shawn McDonald album) 2011 studio album by Shawn McDonald

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.

<i>Time for the Show</i> 2013 studio album by Kerrie Roberts

Time for the Show is the second studio album by Christian pop recording artist Kerrie Roberts, which was released on April 2, 2013, on the Reunion Records label, and was produced by David Garcia and Rob Graves. However, the albums original release date was planned for July 10, 2012, but got pushed back to the April 2013 date.

<i>Zion</i> (Hillsong United album) 2013 studio album by Hillsong United

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.

<i>Kings & Queens</i> (Audio Adrenaline album) 2013 studio album by Audio Adrenaline

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.

<i>Overcomer</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Mandisa

Overcomer is the fifth studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer Mandisa. The album was released on August 27, 2013, on Sparrow Records. The album has achieved commercial charting successes, as well as critical acclaim by music critics. It also won a Grammy Award in the category of Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

<i>Radiate</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Tricia

Radiate is the second studio album by American contemporary Christian musician Tricia, released on August 13, 2013 by Inpop Records. The album has seen commercial charting success, as well as, positive critical attention.

<i>Revival</i> (Soulfire Revolution album) 2013 studio album by Soulfire Revolution

Revival is the first studio album by Christian Contemporary/Praise & Worship band Soulfire Revolution, which was released on August 13, 2013 by Sparrow Records. The album garnered critical acclamation from critics and commercial successes by the charts.

<i>Ready to Fly</i> (Jamie Grace album) 2014 studio album by Jamie Grace

Ready to Fly is the second studio album by Christian singer Jamie Grace, released on January 28, 2014 on the Gotee Records label. The album was produced by Chuck Butler, David Garcia and Christopher Stevens.

<i>Christmas Is Here</i> (Brandon Heath album) 2013 studio album by Brandon Heath

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.

<i>Glory</i> (Kutless album) 2014 studio album by Kutless

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.

<i>Oh for Joy</i> 2011 studio album by David Crowder Band

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.

<i>City Harbor</i> (album) 2014 studio album by City Harbor

City Harbor is the eponymously titled debut studio album by contemporary Christian music duo City Harbor, released on February 4, 2014 by Sparrow Records. The producers are Matt Bronleewe, David Garcia, Ben Glover. This album has attained positive reception by music critics and commercial successes.

<i>Finding Favour</i> (EP) 2013 EP by Finding Favour

Finding Favour EP is the debut EP from Christian band Finding Favour. The album released on March 12, 2013, by Gotee Records, and the producers on the EP are Dustin Burnett, Rob Hawkins and Christopher Stevens. This EP had two singles that were commercially and airplay successful "Slip On By" and "Shake the World", and it got positive critical reception.

<i>Love Will Have the Final Word</i> 2014 studio album by Jason Gray

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.

<i>Brave</i> (Shawn McDonald album) 2014 studio album by Shawn McDonald

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.

<i>Let It Fly</i> (Jonny Diaz album) 2014 studio album by Jonny Diaz

Let It Fly is the third studio album from Christian singer-songwriter Jonny Diaz, which it released on April 8, 2014 by Centricity Music, and its producers are Brent Milligan and Jeff Pardo.

<i>Breathe in Deep</i> 2014 EP by Carrollton

Breathe in Deep is the first extended play (EP) from Carrollton. Centricity Music released the EP on February 11, 2014.

<i>Only You</i> (Karyn Williams album) 2012 studio album by Karyn Williams

Only You is the first studio album from Karyn Williams. Inpop Records released the album on August 28, 2012.

<i>Hannah Rose</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Hannah Rose

Hannah Rose is the first studio album by Hannah Rose. Dream Records released the album on May 7, 2013.

<i>Everything I Need</i> (EP) 2015 EP by Holly Starr

Everything I Need is the second extended play by Holly Starr. Artist Garden Entertainment alongside New Day Records will be releasing the album on September 18, 2015. Starr worked with Ed Cash and Scott Cash, in the production of this EP.

References

  1. 1 2 Ham, Robert (October 2, 2012). "Focus - Holly Starr : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  2. 1 2 Aspinwall, Grace S. (December 1, 2012). "Holly Starr: Focus (Save The City Records)". CCM Magazine. p. 52. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Andre, Joshua (October 1, 2012). "Holly Starr – Focus (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. 1 2 Thorson, Grace (October 12, 2014). "Review of Focus by Holly Starr". CM Addict. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Cordle, Matthew (August 1, 2013). "Review: Focus - Holly Starr". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Andre, Jonathan (September 25, 2012). "Holly Starr – Focus | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Davies, Jono (October 29, 2012). "Reviews - Holly Starr - Focus". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  8. 1 2 Fine, Sarah (September 11, 2012). "Focusing On God". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.