Matt Brouwer - Where’s Our Revolution

Producer: Michael Omartian
Record Label: Black Shoe Records
Website: http://www.mattbro.com

A lot of has happened with Matt Brouwer since his debut album released seven years ago on Reunion Records. That album, Imagerical got lost in the shuffle of way too many modern worship releases. He was almost immediately dropped from the record label and headed off to work with Chris Tomlin in Texas. Three years ago saw the release of the more artistic driven Unlearning - another album that showed Matt wasn’t just a typical worship leader - but like Imagerical - failed to find Brouwer the kind of audience he truly deserves. He’s back now with Where’s Our Revolution. Brouwer teamed up with Christian music veteran Michael Omartian - and together they created what is probably Brouwer’s most consistent release to date. Musically - it’s really hard to pinpoint exactly where Matt’s at with Where’s Our Revolution. There are shades of pop/rock not unlike Jars of Clay or even Shawn McDonald as well as more commercial moments that resemble the likes of Chris Tomlin or Steven Curtis Chapman. Brouwer pulls it all off very well, even the more country filled moments - like “The Other Side” - which features heavyweights Amy Grant and Vince Gill. Lyrically, for the most part, Brouwer seems to have stepped it up on Where’s Our Revolution. Modern Worship isn’t the main theme here - and Brouwer touches on all kinds of subjects - such as the loss of a loved one ("The Other Side"), romantic love ("Good Night’s Sleep”, “Writing to Remember"), as well as worship ("Beautiful Now"). While a variation a topics was nice - some songs fall into typical songwriting traps - overly used phrases and melodies - especially seen on “Beautiful Now” and “All I Really Want”. Overall, Where’s Our Revolution should do well for Brouwer, though there’s not much that will probably get him the bigger audience he deserves. Most people, like this reviewer, are probably just trying to really figure out who Matt Brouwer is after all these years.

Purchase Where’s Our Revolution.

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Some would argue that judging an artist or minister by the size of his or her audience is to seriously miss the point of art, calling, and life in general. This reviewer does not posses the confidence to say he likes this CD or not because it’s not made by a popular artist, therefore the reviewer does not know if it’s good or not because the mainstream shit machine has not told him yet. CCM, talk about a redundant industry obsessed with their own pathetic opinions.

Commented by On 09/03/2008

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I would love for you to be able to pinpoint in this review where exactly I judged Matt Brouwer’s sound based on the size of his audience.

A couple times in the review I stated that Matt didn’t have the following he deserves - meaning he’s a better artist than the size of his fanbase indicates.

You’re probably judging the entire review based on the last sentence: “Most people, like this reviewer, are probably just trying to really figure out who Matt Brouwer is after all these years.”

If you’re interpreting it as “I don’t know who Matt Brouwer is” - you’re wrong. The line is meant to reflect that people still haven’t figured out where Matt fits in the musical landscape - what is core sound is, who his core audience is.

I appreciate you leaving comments and reading the site - I don’t appreciate you insulting me or my site based on the fact that you misinterpreted a review.

Commented by Chris Unthank On 09/03/2008

Reader Comments

If you spend some time with the 3 albums that Matt has made independently, “Unlearning”, “B-Sides Recording Vol 1” and now “Where’s Our Revolution” a clear musical trend has emerged that is distinctly Matt Brouwer.

The Reunion project was, as you pointed out...a release engineered from the label’s perspective, but when compared with the following 3 independent projects, shows a clear departure from the Reunion project in the direction that is truly Matt’s sound.

The eclectic sounds present in each album is reflective of the humble willingness of Matt to open his heart and life to the rest of us through his writing and his musical style. I find his style.. showing a love for deep worship, family life, relationships, challenging issues and community… keeps each project interesting and engaging, well rounded and timeless...uniquely Matt Brouwer.

As an independent artist, Matt’s audience size has more to do with the size of his marketing budgets than whether his sound is clearly defined or not. Those who have found him have recognized both the talent and style ...becoming life-long fans of the man and his music. But alas, that is the price that is paid for artistic freedom in the marketplace.

Commented by On 09/21/2008

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Matt Brouwer - Where’s Our Revolution
Written: 09/02/2008
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Matt Brouwer - Where’s Our Revolution

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