BACKRGOUND
There is nothing like having a metacognition of a spirit filled album. The album, ‘Forever Amen’, with 9 renditions by Steffany Gretzinger is quite God presencey. It is clothed with such a weight of glory that we can be soaked in, given the present world circumstances.
MUSICALITY
The album has a ballad feel with tinges of country, folk, acoustic and lovely soothing harmonies a foundation of cellos and violins, garnishing the solemn themes of communion and the love of God. Steffany’s unique accent and vocal style also emphasise the solemn message of this album. The lyrics are powered from a communion that cannot be bought or imitated, and they truly create a longing in every listener’s heart for a deeper walk with God.
REMEMBER
This D major piece features the digital piano and lead guitar as its underlying instruments. My favourite lines are ‘worthy, worthy, worthy, I’m caught up in the glory of all that you are and all that you’ve done’. Even in these times, we can still be enveloped in the magnificent glory of the Lord, and never forget that nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is important to note that as we bring to remembrance who God means to us, we proclaim his goodness, and his glory falls on us.
MORE TO ME
On A Major, this piece starts with acoustic harmonies from Steffany, and lyrics of God’s company being the best. Truly, there’s nothing better. The backing vocals and harmonies in the chorus have slightly popculture-esque flavour. The line ‘Let me set a table for the one I love’ always gets me all up in my feels because God always quietens me with His love, and there’s nothing I won’t do for Him.
FOREVER AMEN
The song ‘Forever Amen’ sung by Steffany Gretzinger in ascending octaves speaks on the discernment of God’s voice, which happens as God becomes the centre of your world. It happens as you begin to seek His opinion on everything and spend time worshipping Him and studying his word. Your spirit will naturally pick his impressions. Hearing God is really the most important treasure in this world. There are underlying strings as Steffany belts the bridge, amen with gusto. The lead guitar also features in this piece in juxtaposition with the sound of yummy acoustic pipe sounds.
NO ONE EVER CARED FOR ME LIKE JESUS
With poetic lyrics and a melody on F major, this piece starts with acoustic piano notes. I love the line ‘Let my children tell their children that all my treasure was in heaven and you were everything to me’, which speaks of playing our part in the continuity of the christian faith, our most treasured possession for generations to come. The piece is also are violin accompaniments and Steffany’s sole voice.
The cellos and violins that come in at the bridge give a goose bumping pizzicato effect forever etching the melody in the listener’s mind. There is no relationship on the earth more intense, satisfying or fulfiling than a relationship with God. Better than fine wine, it never gets old.
THE OLIVE GROVE
This orchestral piece on D major with stunning cellos, as well as violins and violas with a life of their own is quite heavy but solemn at the same time, speaking of a tender but unwavering hope in the God of the ressurection.
GREAT ASSEMBLY
Great Assembly is a slow and full ballad, featuring piano chords and twinkly sounds. On G major, This piece talks about the longing of a communal worship with the saints. I love the line ‘We long, we long for you and no one else can satisfy us like you do.’ Life is really about God. The dual octaves at super fast melody lines ‘Gather in this great assembly, we will cry out you are worthy’, in a relatively slow song make it a recipe for a really jivey fast techno beat disk jockey remix. This lends credence to the lyrical dexterity of the songwriter. I love the fact that when we worship we are joining those who have gone before us. I love how the book of Hebrews 11 talks about this hall of fame, and it makes me proud to be a part of the kingdom of God. When we worship, we invoke the heavenly realm and we are in the company of God, angels and the saints and if you listen closely, you can hear the angels sing.
THIS CLOSE
On C major, this folk song speaks lyrically of an effortless relationship with God. This is most beautiful. This kind of relationship with God doesn’t happen overnight. There is a striving to enter into rest, as spoken about in the book of Hebrews. It is not a striving to be righteous or holy enough to hear God. He has already made us righteous and holy. It is a relationship of being accustomed to God’s nuances because He is always speaking to us.
CHRIST THE LORD IS WITH ME
On A flat, the ascending melody line of the first verse that starts with singular piano notes. The cellos resume their awesomeness in the chorus. The lines ‘You who keep your covenant, great will be your faithfulness’. The rendition of the refrain, the panning effect of this track and its general acoustics remind me of Welsh music. The lyrics of this song are based on Psalm 139 and Romans 8:31-35, singing about the fact that we cannot escape from the presence of God, and nothing shall ever separate us from his love.
CENTRE OF ALL HISTORY
This acoustic piece on D flat with country vocalising and folk flavour has an amazing modulation, as well as amazing chords speaks of communion with God that has no end.
What is your favourite track on this album?
#Checckit!
