Waking Up CD

Bethany Dillon returns from her missions trip to India with a fresh batch of contemporary pop-rock gems, showcasing her rich vocals and honest lyrics. Waking Up includes "Top of the World," "The Kingdom," "When You Love Someone," and more.

From the first note of Waking Up, one is quick to realize that this could be a career album for the still young Bethany Dillon. At merely 18, Dillon releases her third album April 3, a project that is not only mature lyrically but, musically, is leaps and bounds beyond her two previous efforts. Admired for her artistic depth, past albums have seen Dillon carve out an acoustic niche. And, while 2005's Imagination slowed the tempo down, Waking Up finds Dillon returning to the roots of her first album, giving listeners 13 melodic reasons to fall in love with this young songstress all over again.

Lead single "The Kingdom" instantly opens with a more aggressive and pop-heavy sound, but don't be fooled by the driving, upbeat pace. At close listen, the lyrics delve into pretty serious territory as Dillon puts herself in the perspective of a woman who is unable to conceive.

And though it's not unusual for Dillon to pen lyrics far beyond her years, many fans will be surprised by the album's obvious commercial appeal. With the exception of only a few tracks, each tune seems tailored for radio. Perhaps the most airwave-friendly of them all is the catchy "When You Love Someone," co-written with Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Matt Wertz), who once again serves as producer along with John Alagia (Lifehouse, John Mayer) and Will Hunt (Shawn McDonald, Shane & Shane). This track and a few others ("Are You Sure," "You Could Be the One") point to romantic interests and unrequited love, revealing a glimpse of the teenager hidden inside.

Influenced by her recent missions trip to India, Dillon's honest spiritual perspective shines on "Beggar's Heart," a musical assault on the senses and a standout cut. Incorporating an array of instruments, the song eloquently captures Dillon's writing at its best as she sings, "When You build, it feels like You tear me apart/When You heal, it always leaves a scar/And even when You fill, You always leave me with a beggar's heart." In a similar thematic vein, the closing track, "You Are on Our Side," combines lush orchestration with Dillon's profound words, appropriately concluding the best chapter of her ever-promising tenure.

CCMMagazine.com

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Tiffany (CT), September 02, 2007

Bethany Dillon is a good song writer and sings nice. I really enjoy the words to the songs. I have heard her sing before and didn't really care for it all that much. Then I got to see her live and I was like "whoa she sings very nice" and I got this CD. Now this is all that I listen to. Me and my mom love the song "Waking up" and another we like is "That's What You Do When You Love Someone" Way to go Bethany I hope she comes out with more albums!!

Reviewed by Hannah (Newport, ME), April 29, 2007

Totally awesome!! The first time I heard this CD, I wasn't too excited about it but the more I listen to it the more I like it!!! Great job, Bethany!!

Reviewed by Janet (Wesson, MS), April 23, 2007

This is one you have to buy! It is great! Most of the time I only like 2 or 3 songs on a CD. All of these are great! Definitely her best album yet and truly Holy Spirit inspired!

Reviewed by Michelle (TF), April 07, 2007

One word - AWESOME! You need to buy it!

Reviewed by Karen (USA), April 05, 2007

This is a wonderful CD full of hope, raw emotion and real life situations. Loved the music, lyrics and the variety of style track to track.

Reviewed by Bill (Bellefontaine Ohio), April 05, 2007

I have loved BD's albums to date each with their own flavor and personal aspects but this has got to be one of the BEST ALBUMS of the YEAR! It's hard to pick a favorite but a few did stand out after the first listen; Kingdom, (A masterpiece of emotion) Let Your Light Shine (Upbeat and positive!), Beggar's Heart (Artistically off the Charts!), When you Love Someone (Is there something Bethany needs to share on her My Space?) and the most Heart renching song from my perspective, You are on Our Side (What a Testomony of Salvation and Hope!) Bethany - please keep writing!!!!

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