CHRISTIANBEATS.ORG ~ BROTHER'S KEEPER

Cover Me, the sophomore project for ChristianBeats.org's artist of the week (March 11, 2002) Brother's Keeper was three-years in the making, and well worth the wait. During that three year hiatus, the trio, who debuted during the start of the pop-boy-band era, has grown into much more. Cover Me is more than Pop, it's a mix of lite-rock and adult contemporary, with enough of a hook to make it through all three genres.

Brother's Keeper is a fan-favorite at youth concerts, camps and conferences and previewed songs from Cover Me before 100,000 fans on the NewSongs Winter Tour featuring the Newsboys and Michelle Tumes. If their reaction was any indication, expect Cover Me to make it big.

The CD' cover title "Cover Me", reminds us of our Father's love. As our own fathers guided us toward our first steps and lifted us when we needed him, so does The Father help us "dance among the lions and remain at peace". We are reminded, with great lyrics and a very catchy beat, to trust our Father to guide us. During one of the choruses, the voice-over "Lord's Prayer" was a great effect. After all, as the song says, "We have all of Him, so we have all we need."

"Blonde and Tan", the expected first release to CHR is going to match the chart success of their 1998 # 1 single "Rain On." An examination of what "the world" expects of us, "Blonde and Tan" is an embarassing reflection of the "perfect us." As we look at what the world considers "ideal" (blonde, tan, and rich), we're reminded that we need to keep "searching for something to save me." After all, "Things of this world are gonna rust or die / I've got a truth, you can depend on / Need to change the life you're livin' from the inside." "Blonde and Tan" has the hook that's going to make it rise on the Pop charts, but also expect to see it in heavy rotation on the AC and, even, Rock charts; this one is a hit.

The first adult contemporary release from Cover Me, "Take Me to the Cross" debuted to medium rotation three weeks ago and is quickly rising as word of mouth and massive requests lift it up the charts. It was the ChristianBeats Golden Riser on MG's AC Hit Parade Top 50 for the week of March 9 and debuted last week on modern praise and worship stations all over the nation to great response. "Take Me To the Cross" is a request, in prayer, to bring us back to where our faith started. Mild and smooth, this song is just what we need on our radio and CD players today; a reminder where we started and where we should be again; at the cross.

"Be Like You" is another hot future-pop hit. In an age where, Tiger, McGuire, Gordon and Jordan are heroes, we constantly need to be reminded who our "star" should be. The chorus says it best, "You are the only one that is true / And I want to be like You...I wanna be where You are / You're my star."

"In His Love" we're reminded where we can go when we need help in our lives. This is a very slow and mellow tune destined to be popular in the Modern Praise stations and posibly even AC.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that in Christ, we are all still children. In "I Will Not Worry" we see that as long as we're in his Grace, we're in perfect peace. This song harkins back to songs we would sing in camp - it's a great song with catchy lyrics and an easy to remember tune; and it has a message that will help us through.

"Out of this World" starts with a country music twang switch between what can only be described as 70's southern rock to a modern soulfull beat. You've got to hear it to believe that it can be sucessfully done; it can be and "Out of this World" definetely lives up to its name.

"Alive and Well" continues the 70's sound, showing us how Jesus is alive in nature today. Whether it's the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, or white sands, we can always feel the joy of Jesus in our world.

"Out of My Blindness", "Born to Love You" and "From This Day On" round off this excellent album. Cover Me is proof that good things are worth the wait. Pick this one up when it hits stores on March 12.