Search - Shane & Shane :: Everything Is Different

Shane & Shane [Everything Is Different]

Kevin R. Davis | Perkasie, PA | 11/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With career sales exceeding 450,000 units, the acoustic guitar-wielding, Texas-based duo Shane & Shane returns with its eighth album, Everything Is Different. The album embraces a more corporate worship style, inspired by Shane Barnard and Shane Everett's role as worship leaders at their home church in Dallas. Influenced by the pair's ongoing involvement in teaching and training students in the area of worship ministry, Everything Is Different offers moments that range from vertical praise to quiet reflection.



Among the most devotionally focused singer/songwriters of this generation, for Shane Barnard and Shane Everett, it all comes back to the creative source. "We always have a tendency to bring the scriptures into our songs," Barnard explains. "It happens naturally for us. It's not like we have a game plan, but we've always spent a lot of time in the Word of God. The Word of God is just so good - if you don't mess with it - it's hard to mess it up. I think this album, probably more than any other album we've done, is the Word of God set to music."



My favorite overall song by Shane & Shane is now the title track "Everything is Different", which is a song about all of these things that are completely changed and how different they are in Christ. Shane & Shane drew heavily on scriptures from Isaiah to make its point in this upbeat, corporate worship song, comparing the wages of the world with the free gifts of God - from ashes to beauty, from heaviness to praise, from no way to a clear path, from the impossible to all things are possible.



Primary songsmith, Shane Barnard drew on Hebrews 1 and Psalm 40 for inspiration in the gorgeous corporate worship hymn, "Worthy of Affection." The album's sweet yet pulsating musical version of "The Lord's Prayer" is taken word for word from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Shane Everett lends his rare songwriting talent on "Rain Down," a song that reflects Psalm 27. The album's first radio single, a creative re-imaging of the beloved hymn, "My Hope Is Built," is based on Jesus' parable of the wise man who built his house on solid rock, found in Matthew, chapter seven.



Musically this album is very diverse and the songs are acoustic oriented with very biblical lyrics. Harmonizing together on every song, Shane & Shane's personal and vulnerable vocals have never sounded better. Each successive album has improved on the last for Shane & Shane from Clean to Pages to Everything Is Different, which is now their best overall album in my opinion. For me, the standout songs are "Everything Is Different", "Worthy of Affection", "I'm Alive", "Rain Down" and "My Hope Is Built". If you've liked past hit songs "Be Near", "Yearn" and "We Love You Jesus" by Shane & Shane, then you need to pick up Everything Is Different."

Everything is Worship

M. Morton | WASHINGTON, DC United States | 02/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Everything is Different" showcases the Shanes at their finest - a masterpiece of worship. There are no low points on this album, only soaring praise and deep reflections on the radiant beauty of Christ. This offering essentially guarantees edification of the purest kind. After a full play, the listener feels a lot like the artists: God-intoxicated.



More than any release since "Psalms", these songs are largely Scripture put to music. This is not the weak, feel-good repetition of most mainstream CCM; rather the lyrics deal with weighty theological truths. Listeners familiar with the ministry of Dr. John Piper will appreciate his influence evident in songs such as "For the Good" and "Turn Down the Music." I never imagined "The Lord's Prayer" could sound so majestic, and the highs reached on "Worthy of Affection" are truly moving. Given the solidly biblical theology of these songs, I would expect this album to be on heavy rotation in Piper's iPod.



These men have outstanding voices, and while this album may not draw out the duo's trademark harmonies as strongly as previous recordings, the accompaniment still adds beautiful depth. As one who has a low tolerance for C&W music, I disagree with the reviewer who stated that this album is "more folk, country" than others. If one considers that the group - and probably each studio musician - hails from TX, some twang would be expected. In any case, I don't hear it.



If you're looking for music that will stir your deepest affections for the Savior, this album will not disappoint. In fact, if I may be so cavalier, any Christian who has yet to discover the richness of Barnard's songwriting is missing out on a tremendous spiritual blessing. Do something good for both your ears and soul: purchase this album and soak in it."