marty mikles: reviews

"I read a newspaper article a few weeks ago about creating the perfect mixed tape. You gotta start strong, build up to the pivotal piece and leave them wanting more. I don't know if Marty had that formula in mind (or even if it's a legitimate formula -music is an art, not a science), but I could actually hear a story in the way his songs led from one to another -- like a good mixed tape should do.

He starts out with what reminded me of a youth conference - type experience: Worship songs followed by surrender. Then Monday morning hits with all of its real-world worries in the first verse of "Blue Skies." From there, the songs are up and down, near and far from God -- I love you, I screwed up, I'm sorry, I love you -- a cycle of worship, stumble, surrender. He builds to his deepest stumble (Dark Night), followed by his biggest surrender (So Ready) and highest worship (How Great Thou Art). In the end, when he says "these words sound quite familiar," they really do. He really took me on a circular journey, true to the theme throughout.

I love the song "Don't Worry Child," and this arrangement is my favorite so far. But because it was written for those in mourning, I didn't see its place in the album right off -- until I realized that it is the perfect answer to "Okay" (which has the coolest sound!). You're not here. Stay here with me. Then God says I'm right here by your side.

Beautiful."

A multi-talented artist with years of experience leading worship around the U.S., Marty Mikles releases his debut solo album, Running In Circles to an eager audience. Combining guitar-driven worship and edgy vocals with a lyrical transparency that is a rare commodity in Christian music, Running In Circles runs the gamut of rock stylings.Fans of Marty’s earlier music will immediately identify with new versions of the songs Glorious King and Don’t Worry Child, while new songs like Bless the Lord and Blue Skies are sure to soon become favorites.

Running In Circles, the debut album from Marty Mikles, could very well be one of the best CCM albums of all times. The project as a whole encompasses all the human emotions that one can go through on their spiritual journey through life. Within the first thirty seconds, you can begin to get a sense of the hard work that was put into the album, and that this is destined to be a great listening experience. Kicking things off with Bless The Lord, Marty and his band rip into great rock and roll riffs that you just can’t help but tap your foot or move along to. Glorious King, which has been featured on CD’s put out by Marty’s other group Transmission, opens with a new introductory sound clip, followed by the band laying into a groove that is catchy and stays with you all day. Two of the strongest tracks, Blue Skies and Don’t Worry Child, scream to be played on the radio. Blue Skies seems to be a Marty Mikles tribute to Aussie country-rocker Keith Urban, and Mikles pulls it off magnificently. Bringing in other musicians to give it more of a country feel, Marty’s voice booms over a great mix of guitar, bass and banjo, and ends with a great ‘jam session’ featuring all different types of solos and riffs that leave your ears wanting more and more and more of it. Don’t Worry Child, one of the more laid back tunes on the album, features a great piano accompaniment with a beautiful string arrangement that compliments Marty’s voice and piano beautifully. It’s one of those tracks that you hear and a tear begins to form in your eye. With every note, with every word, your spirits begin to be lifted as Marty reassures us of God’s presence in our lives and that no matter what life holds in store for us, He will be right by our side always. Overall, the album is strong, and stays strong. Not one track leaves you wishing you had saved your money for the next Petra reunion album. Other tracks of note include Take It All, So Ready, and Needy, all of which are consistent in quality. If this is the debut album from Mikles, then I cannot wait to hear what his next album holds in store for us.