The title and opening track, Brave, however, doesn't exactly make the disc shine. As a radio single it certainly works, but it almost sounds as though, musically, that's all it was designed to be. The music offers little substance to allow you to get into the track if you are not into the stagnant state of pop music. Lyrically, it's another solid Nordeman track. It simply doesn't deliver musically.
On the other hand, tracks like Someday and Lay It Down offer listeners a taste of the simplistic yet elegant. It is tracks such as these that have made Nordeman such a force in the industry. The lyrics match the songs wonderfully and allow for some pretty solid tracks. This is a return to real Nichole Nordeman music.
And, aside from the opening track, most of the disc is very typical of Nichole's music. The two best tracks on the disc come near the beginning and at the very end of the disc. What If offers a great series of questions that are often asked of Christians by skeptics or even by themselves that make people question the faith. The chorus offers simple belief in the fact that this faith is not mere child's play that has no substance, but that it actually holds a very real purpose for us as human beings. We Build, on the other hand, is a very, very different song. It is a love song of sorts, but is anything but your typical love song. Nordeman says that she wrote in a time where "my husband and I hit a really rough patch." This song was written as a reminder of the things that both had promised to do, not out of feeling, but out of love. It is a song that touches on the definite hardships but ultimate joy brought on by marraige and true love. Not only are the lyrics though-provoking, but they are tough lyrics to hear at times. This is one song that is sure to touch anyone who buys this disc.
Then, of course, there is the ability to purchase a Special Edition of this disc for an extra four bucks retail price. Is it worth it? Well, it does give you acoustic versions of Brave and What If, and both are major positives. The Brave (Acoustic Version) gives the song much more of a Nichole Nordeman feel and turns into a great song both lyrically and musically. What If was already great, but the acoustic version is certainly great as well. It doesn't really create any more like or dislike for the song, but it is an interesting thing to hear after hearing the original. Along with these two, you also get two more acoustic songs, two previously unreleased tracks. And both are very worthwhile. Miles and The Altar are just great songs with simple music that allows you to really take in the lyrics for what they are. Miles is worth the extra four bucks alone. This is one of the few songs that really will allow you to shed a tear. It's a (true) story of a boy dying from a heart condition, another boy that dies in a freak accident, and the mother who gives her baby's organs out to multiple recipients, ultimately saving the first boy's life. The song is a stunning combination of grief and joy, with the ultimate message that, though the journey is long and tough, "the very Hand that shields your eyes from understanding/Is the hand that will be holding you for miles." Along with these four tracks, the CD booklet also provides short little bits from Nichole explaining each song and providing a better understanding of where these tracks come from.
Overall, both the speial edition and the regular edition of Brave are both worthwhile buys. Whether or not you spend the extra four bucks, you should definitely try to find Miles and The Altar somewhere, whether it be on iTunes or through a stream somewhere on the 'Net and at least give them a listen. Both are worth it. But so are most of the other tracks on this disc. If you're a fan of contemporary pop, this disc is certainly worth your money.
