| Roots | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 11, 2008 | |||
| Studio | FabMusic (Franklin, Tennessee) | |||
| Genre | CCM, Christian alternative rock, indie folk, roots rock | |||
| Length | 49:58 | |||
| Label | Sparrow | |||
| Producer | Christopher Stevens | |||
| Shawn McDonald chronology | ||||
| ||||
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.
The third studio album from American-Christian musician Shawn McDonald is entitled "Roots". The album was produced by Christopher Stevens, and it released on March 11, 2008, through Sparrow Records. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| CCM Magazine | [3] |
| The Christian Manifesto | [4] |
| Christian Music Review | 8.1/10 [5] |
| Christianity Today |  [6] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [7] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [8] |
| Melodic | [9] |
Roots garnered generally positive reception from nine music critics ratings and reviews. At Christianity Today , Russ Breimeier rated the album four-and-a-half stars, remarking how the release "finds the rapidly burgeoning singer/songwriter becoming even more grounded in his creative abilities", and this makes it "easily his finest work to date." [6] Andree Farias of AllMusic rated the album four stars, stating that "Roots brings all of those elements together with far more focus and balance, adding a healthy dose of his trippy folk-pop approach and a dash of organic soul to create McDonald's most accomplished album to date." [2] At Cross Rhythms, Alastair McCollum rated the album nine squares, calling it "a near perfect CD". [7] Scott Fryberger of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album four stars, saying that "Roots is definitely worth the money though, and if you like beautiful guitars and heartwarming melodies, it's a good addition to your collection." [8] At CCM Magazine , Matt Conner rated the album three stars, observing how the album has a misleading title and some mistakes on it, but did say that "Roots reaches new heights for an already impressive singer/songwriter." [3] Kaj Roth of Melodic rated the album two-and-a-half stars, calling this "an uneven affair." [9] At The Christian Manifesto, Calvin Moore rated the album three stars, writing that "'Roots' is definitely more commercially-viable, but I think he has stepped away from the sound that initially drew people to him", which "There is something to be found in 'Roots,' its just not likely what you’re expecting to find because you didn't know you were looking for it", and "In [all] actuality, this may be the genius of Shawn McDonald's music." [4] Barry Collins of Christian Music Review rated the album an 8.1 out of ten, saying that "This album is truly unique and carries a good message, but it could be missed if not listened to carefully." [5] At The Phantom Tollbooth, Ryan Ro gave a positive review of the album, stating that the release is not an album of the year candidate, however writes that McDonald "has delivered a winner that is enjoyable and, at times, indeed 'captivating.'" [10]
For the Billboard charting week of March 29, 2008, Roots was the No. 198 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.
All tracks are written by Shawn McDonald except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Clarity" | McDonald, Jon Foreman, Christopher Stevens | 3:25 |
| 2. | "Captivated" | McDonald, Stevens | 4:05 |
| 3. | "Wash Me Clean" | McDonald, Marc Byrd | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Shadowlands" | 3:21 | |
| 5. | "Light" | 4:27 | |
| 6. | "Waltz in 3" | 4:42 | |
| 7. | "Roots" | 4:28 | |
| 8. | "Slow Down" | McDonald, Ben Glover | 2:37 |
| 9. | "Greed" | 3:14 | |
| 10. | "Time" | McDonald, Stevens, Neal Vickers | 3:40 |
| 11. | "Winter" | 5:34 | |
| 12. | "Hallelujah" | McDonald, Foreman, Stevens | 6:41 |
| Total length: | 49:58 | ||
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 [11] | 198 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard) [12] | 14 |
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Christian [13] | ||
| 2008 | "Captivated" | 27 |
Blueprints for the Black Market is the debut studio album by the band Anberlin. It was released on May 6, 2003, barely a year after the band formed, and was the only album that was released with guitarist Joey Bruce in the band line-up. Blueprints had two singles, "Readyfuels", for which a music video was filmed and "Change the World ". Although the album has sold over 60,000 units, its success pales compared to Anberlin's later albums, failing to chart on the Billboard 200.
Until My Heart Caves In is the eighth studio album by Audio Adrenaline and the final album with Mark Stuart as the lead vocalist. The album was released on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 on ForeFront Records and went on to win the Grammy Award for Rock Gospel Album of the Year.
Illuminate is the second studio album and fourth album overall by David Crowder Band recorded for sixstepsrecords, released in September 2003.
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.
This Moment is the fourteenth studio album by the Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. It was released on October 23, 2007, through Sparrow Records. "Cinderella" was released as a radio single and became popular in the United States, charting in the Top 10 on Christian Radio. Other radio singles were "Yours", which became a No. 1 single, and "Miracle of the Moment", which charted in the Top 10.
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.
Katy Hudson is the debut studio album of the American singer of the same name, later known as Katy Perry. It was released on March 6, 2001, by Red Hill Records. The album, unlike the subsequent albums that made her known worldwide, primarily incorporates Christian rock and contemporary Christian music elements with lyrical themes of childhood, adolescence, and Hudson's faith in God. Before its release, Red Hill went bankrupt, preventing it from marketing and promoting the album, which subsequently sold about 200 copies and received mixed reviews.
Satisfied is the fourth studio album by American Christian rock band DecembeRadio; it was released in August 2008 through Slanted Records. Like their previous album, DecembeRadio (2006), it was recorded at Southern Tracks Recording in Atlanta, Georgia, and produced by Scotty Wilbanks. The songs were written to ensure they would translate well in a concert setting, and the band strove to write more uplifting lyrics than those on their previous album. Recording sessions began in September 2007 and were not completed until the second quarter of 2008, as the sessions twice were interrupted for concert tours.
What If We is the second studio album by contemporary Christian musician Brandon Heath. It was released on August 19, 2008 through Provident Label Group. The album debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200. During mid and late 2008, the album's first single "Give Me Your Eyes" stayed at No. 1 on R&R's Christian CHR format for 13 consecutive weeks, and was the second most played song of 2008 for the same format. The album received a Grammy Award nomination in 2009 for Best Pop Gospel Album.
Resurrection Letters, Volume Two is the tenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson, released in 2008.
On Fire is the first studio album released by Australian Christian musician Peter Furler. It marks Furler's solo debut after his departure from Newsboys in 2009. After some date changes, the album was finally released 21 June 2011.
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.
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.
Fading West is the ninth studio album by the American alternative rock band Switchfoot, released on January 14, 2014 through Atlantic. The album was promoted by four singles: "Who We Are" and "Love Alone Is Worth the Fight", released in September 2013, "Let It Out" released in February 2014, and "When We Come Alive", released in May 2014.
Sovereign is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith released on May 13, 2014 through Capitol Records. The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart.
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.
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.
The Other Side of Something is the third studio album and fourth album overall from Christian singer and songwriter Sara Groves, and it released on March 23, 2004 by INO Records. The producers on the album is Charlie Peacock and Nate Sabin. This release became critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
All Right Here is the second studio album and third album overall from Christian singer and songwriter Sara Groves, and was released on August 20, 2002, by INO Records. The producer on the album is Nate Sabin. This release became critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
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.