Travis Ryan: Fearless

Release: April 10, 2012
Genre: Adult Contemporary, Worship
Rating: 8/10

Travis Ryan is the worship leader at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California. Ryan signed with Integrity Records, and his album Fearless is his debut not only with Integrity, but his debut overall. The record is a straight up adult contemporary style worship album that is sure to garner him many fans and is a great proclamation of the greatness of Christ. This album is a solid debut with some of the best lyrics of any worship album out there today; and at the same time it has some of the strongest vocals.

"Love That Has Won" opens up the album really strongly and definitely built up anticipation in me for how the rest of the album would sound. The song is about the redemptive power of Christ and talks about Jesus rising from the grave and giving us salvation in Him. "Battle Song" follows that up with a missional song which talks about going into the world and telling everyone about His love - not being afraid of anything. These first two songs are some of my favorites on the album and definitely exhibit the best of what Ryan has to offer.

"Jesus Precious Jesus" was the first radio single released from the album, and just like the first two songs, it quickly became one of my favorites on the album. The song talks about how amazing Jesus is and how great His love is for us. The song has a powerful chorus that I never get tired of hearing. What is so cool about the songs on this record is that even though they are worship songs, they are super catchy as well. Worship songs almost never get stuck in my head, but most of Ryan's songs get stuck in my head all the time.

The sixth track on the record, "Jesus My Victory," is a really cool piano and violin driven song with really great lyrics. Ryan talks about the satisfaction we feel in Christ and says that He is all we truly need. The song mixes up the pace a little bit, with a little slower one, and definitely feels like it fits in perfectly with the rest of the album. "Awaken Us" follows that up with one of my favorite songs as far as vocals go. From his very first line of the song his voice comes on very strong and sounds almost perfect. "Awaken Us" is a call to God to come on us and give us the desire and the power to do whatever He needs us to do for His kingdom. The song is a great prayer and I feel like it fits in perfectly with the theme of "Battle Song."

The title track has some of my favorite lyrics on the album, basically asking God to make us fearless and to give us boldness. I believe this song is something all of us can relate to, because I for one am afraid sometimes to step out in faith and do something He wants me to do. I think we all, at some point in our life, need a little bit of boldness from Christ, and this song expresses that desire very well.

"Chase" finishes up the album very nicely with a more acoustic track. The song - like all the rest - is very worshipful and is great to listen to on the way to church or to get you in a worshipful mood. "Chase" talks about how no matter where we go or what we do, His love chases after us relentlessly and never gives up. He loves us so much that he will not give up no matter what.

Travis Ryan has cemented himself on my list of top worship leaders. Fearless is a topnotch album with amazing everything: vocals, lyrics, instrumentals, production, engineering, etc. The album is super smooth and amazingly worshipful. Integrity Records is known for releasing some of the top worship albums, and this one definitely falls in line with that great stereotype. Ryan has released one of the top worship albums of the year, and one I would recommend checking out.

Favorite Song: Battle Song

Favorite Lyrics: "You chased us down with grace. You broke through our defense. We're captured by Your cross and all the wonders of Your furious love." (From the song "Chase")

Tracklist:

1. Love That Has Won
2. Battle Song
3. Jesus Precious Jesus
4. The Wrestling
5. Lord Most High
6. Jesus My Victory
7. Awaken Us
8. Fearless
9. Devotion
10. You Are With Me Still
11. Chase