Search - Cindy Morgan :: Loving Kind

The Perfect Kind

Michael Janke | San Diego, CA | 11/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE LOVING KIND, Cindy Morgan's new album, is a benchmark work from a singer/songwriter who has continually defied the notion of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Inspired by a trip to the Holy Land that she took with her new husband, author Sigmund Brouwer, THE LOVING KIND is a concept album focusing on the person of Jesus and, in specific, his final week before his crucifixion. It clearly moves the spotlight off of Cindy Morgan, the "pop-star," to Jesus Christ, the Savior, in everything from the album's artwork and photography to its lyrics.All songs on TLK are either written or co-written by Cindy. Concept albums are never easy to pull off, but TLK flawlessly works and it is due mainly to the power of the lyrics. There is a passion here that is noticable -- perhaps it is just the subject matter, but listening to the songs and the progression leaves me the distinct sense that these words were truly a gift from the Lord. In the liner notes each song is accompanied by a reference scripture.Musically, TLK builds upon the growth shown on Cindy's last project, LISTEN. Look for a mature contemporary pop style tastefully textured with flowing orchestral arrangements and breaks of simple acoustic intimacy. Brent Bourgeois once again works his production magic, and his fingerprints are evident, yet not too engrained. The instrumental accompaniments are live and real. As with LISTEN, many of the transitions between songs are subtle and smooth. Vocally, Cindy's never sounded better. Most of the cuts do a great job of highlighting her unique vocal style, sweet and airy, with an underlying sincerity, especially "Alive and Well" and "Higher."The album opens with "In the Garden," a song which speaks of "the loss of innocence and the prayer of surrender." What jumps out at you immediately is the instrumentation, which has an authentically Jewish flavor. "The March," refering to the Triumphant Entry, stand out because of its jazzed up, eclectic mix of instruments, including a horn section.The title track is, quite simply, one of the best songs Cindy has ever recorded. It is an easy going mid-tempo track with simply musical accompaniment. It was originally entitled "Peter's Song," and it is sung from his point of view. The words are almost bitter-sweet, and we experience the extreme feelings of guilt and desolation that Peter must have felt after his betrayal. But by the song's close there is the recognition that "Though I have deceived You/Thank God that forgiveness is reigning again." "Devil Man" follows in the footsteps of past upbeat cuts like "The Master's Hand" and "Gravity." The songs crescendos to a climax, a la "Gravity," and also contains some very cool instrumental arrangements. You gotta love it when pop singers are able to seemlessly incorporate strings into their work.Mid-way through the album comes a trio of driving songs that each feature Cindy experimenting with a different musical approach. "The Only Way," the most aggressive song on the album, is an intense journey through Jesus' arrest and trials. "Hard Heart" is, musically speaking, one of the more unique songs Cindy's ever recorded: a retro-ish groove, a sax solo, and some unique vocal stylings all to a lyric about the self-defeating stubbornness and blindness of the Sanhedrin. "The Whipping," could almost be considered adult-alternative. It has the dark lyric as well as the appropriate guitar work. But it quickly digresses, in a flourish of strings, to the tender ballad, "Higher.""Take My Life" is the highlight of the album. A stunning, lush atmosphere plays behind what the liner notes describe as Mary Magdalene's song. The lyric is one of the finest Cindy has ever written, as she, in her poetic style, captures the intense love and the devotion Mary must have felt towards Jesus. "Alive and Well," a tune Cindy penned with Andrew Ramsey and Michael W Smith, focuses on the incredible redeeming miracle that is the Resurrection. Its soaring, sometimes angelic, vocals are an appropriate treatment for that wonderful event. "Praise the King," a simple song of worship, closes the album appropriatly.Buy this album. It's not a record that you can appreciate in one listen. Or even five. But as you listen to it more the beauty of the project will sink in and the message and person of Jesus will as well. And it will be a powerful experience. Five Stars."

Heaviest CCM album I'll ever own!

feuerfly | 05/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a metal-head, so Cindy Morgan's The Loving Kind kinda sticks out in my music collection. It's not the kind of music I'd usually consider listening to. That in itself is reason to get this! It's heavy as all get-out....without trying to be. It will floor you in a way chugging guitar riffs and double-bass drums never could! I would have given it more than 5 stars if an option. It's a classic that surpasses any musical genre. Get it...now!"

The BEST CD I have ever owned, and worn out!

Monica T. Curran | California | 03/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have owned this CD for 3 years now. I bought it because I thought Cindy had a precious face. Never before had I heard her songs except for once on KLOVE. The song that got me interested in her music was,"The Loving Kind".When I first heard it, tears welled up in my eyes. This song is so descriptive and simply beautiful.So, I had to go out and purchase this CD, "The Loving Kind". At one point, this was the only CD I listened to in a 4 month period. The songs, the lyrics, they literally spoke to me. The tenderness in Cindy's voice and each utterance of what she was saying, it all rang true to me. Now, being a Christian, the lyrics and where she derived the lyics from had even a deeper meaning to me.What made this CD more spectacular to me, was that Cindy went to Israel which inspired her to compose these songs of love. These songs are simply a love song to our Lord and Savior. From every fiber of Cindy's being, I could feel the love of God coming through in each song, because He, had a hand on this CD.----
Before and after I saw "The Passion of The Christ", this CD was the one I listened to because, well, this CD was about the life of Jesus in a nutshell.So, I am at Amazon to purchase two more CD's, one for my friend at church and one for my aunt.Everytime I listen to particular songs on this CD, the Holy Spirt moves me to tears. The most awesome songs that move me on this CD are, "The Loving Kind", "The Only Way", and "The Whipping".This is a MUST buy CD. Wonderful for witnessing to non-Christians."