Paul Baloche: The Same Love

Release: March 13, 2012
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Rating: 3.5/5

After being in the Christian music industry for 20 years and releasing 11 albums, Paul Baloche has released his twelfth album, The Same Love. Baloche is known for writing stirring worship ballads, and has long been one of the top worship leaders. The Same Love has some very stirring songs that were wonderfully crafted, and are very pleasing to listen to. As a whole, the album is good, but it is not great. There are some songs I love listening to, but there are parts of the album where I could easily just skip over them and feel like I did not really miss anything.

The album starts off with the best song on the album: the title track. It has a very catchy chorus that I get stuck in my head all the time, and the lyrics to the whole song are spectacular. If I had to choose one strong point for the album, it would have to be the lyrical content. I do not think there is a song on this record where the lyrics are lacking. Each song ministers to the heart, and it is easy to see that Baloche is a very gifted lyricist, which is proven right off the bat with "The Same Love." This is one song on the album I absolutely love listening to, and it is a great way to start off the album.

"We Are Saved" is another one of my favorites off the album. The song features Ben Fielding of Hillsong, which is definitely a great pairing. The song talks about how wonderful it is that Christ died so that we could live, and the song is all about how amazing the resurrection of Christ truly is. The track is truly uplifting and is really catchy just like the first song. "King of Heaven" is a little different than the first two, but a good different. It is a little simpler, which could have been influenced by All Sons & Daughters who are on the song as well. The concept of the song is that God is all-powerful and through Him we can do anything - a great reminder.

The seventh song on the record, "Oh Our Lord," is a cover of All Sons & Daughters' song by the same name, and they do some background vocals on his version . I loved this song originally when it was done by All Sons & Daughters, and Baloche did a great job with it as well. (I think I may still prefer the original though.) That song is followed up by the more fast-paced "Christ the Lord," which celebrates the resurrection of Christ. Then "Reign in Me" slows it down again with a very somber and passionate track that talks about surrendering to Christ and allowing Him to be the sole owner of our hearts, desires, and actions.

"Loved By You" is one of my favorite tracks near the end of the album. It features Kari Jobe and Angela Krusi, and I especially like Jobe's presence on the song. Her presence on just about any worship song is usually really good and it definitely made this one that much better. The song is a very comforting song that talks about how Christ is always there for us and is always there to love us. The album ends with a fast one in "Shout For You," which is a great ending to a good album. The song has a feeling of finality and is very enjoyable to listen to, and is all about telling everyone about how awesome Christ is and how great it is that he died for us.

Paul Baloche has so much experience in the Christian music industry, and this album definitely shows his professional experience. The album is very polished and the lyrics are definitely the highlight of the record. There are some songs on here that I have quickly grown to love, and will be listening to for a long time, but as a whole, the album feels like it is missing something. Overall it is not spectacular, but there are some songs on here that are definitely worth checking out.

Favorite Song: The Same Love

Favorite Lyrics: "Nothing can reach the end of all Your faithfulness. Your grace is with me through every shadow every test. I'm hanging on, I'm leaning in to You." (From the song "My Hope")

Tracklist

1. The Same Love
2. We Are Saved (Feat. Ben Fielding of Hillsong)
3. King of Heaven (Feat. All Sons & Daughters)
4. All Because of the Cross
5. Your Blood Ran Down
6. My Hope (Feat. Kathryn Scott)
7. Oh Our Lord Christ the Lord (Feat. All Sons & Daughters)
8. Christ the Lord
9. Reign in Me (Feat. Jason Ingram)
10. Just Say (Feat. Brothers McClurg & Angela Krusi)
11. Loved By You (Feat. Kari Jobe & Angela Krusi)
12. Look Upon the Lord
13. Shout For Joy