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What If We

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For the Chiara song, see What If We (song).
Untitled

What If We is the second studio album by contemporary Christian musician Brandon Heath. It was released on August 19, 2008 through Provident Label Group. The album debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200. During mid and late 2008, the album's first single "Give Me Your Eyes" stayed at No. 1 on R&R's Christian CHR format for 13 consecutive weeks,[1] and was the second most played song of 2008 for the same format. The album received a Grammy Award nomination in 2009 for Best Pop Gospel Album.

Background

Before the record's release, there was originally a batch of 40 songs prepared as possible tracks.[2] Brandon Heath said that he and producer Dan Muckala worked closely together in the process of deciding the final 11-track list; "I'll always love the ones that got left behind too, and who knows—they may make the next record", he says.[2]

Release

What If We was released on August 19, 2008 through the Provident Label Group in the United States.[3] It debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200, being his first album to chart on the 200.[4] It also debuted at No. 3 on Nielsen SoundScan's chart for Christian albums, selling over 7,100 copies in the first week.[5]

The album's first single "Give Me Your Eyes" was released in July 2008.[5][6] In its first week of online release the song made nearly 6,000 downloads.[6] By the second week, another 6,700 copies were sold.[6] "Give Me Your Eyes" stayed at No. 1 on the iTunes Store Christian section from July through February for seven consecutive months,[7] achieving more than 70,000 digital downloads by September 2008.[8] In early 2009, "Wait and See" was released as the album's second single. It reached NO. 5 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart by August 2009.[9]

Music and lyrical themes

The single "Give Me Your Eyes" has been compared to Mat Kearney's musical style, described by Christianity Today as "joining acoustic pop with a slight hip-hop shuffle", its lyrics being inspired by "people-watching at an airport – pleading for God's insight and compassion when viewing others".[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
CCM Magazine[12][13]
Christian Music Review[13][14]
Christianity Today[15]
Cross Rhythms[16]
Jesus Freak Hideout[17]
Jesus Freak Hideout[17]
Louder Than the Music[18]
New Release Tuesday[13]
New Release Tuesday[13]
The Phantom Tollbooth[19]

Farias of Allmusic notes that this album seeks answers, but "is far from having all the answers -- and for that matter, it's all too staid to reinvent the CCM wheel -- but it's likable and faith-assuring enough to further establish Heath as a singer/songwriter on the rise."[11]

Cartwright of CCM Magazine stated that "just the title alone will pique the curiosity of any seeker, eager to run with Brandon after the elusive. Mr. Heath doesn't disappoint, striking all the right chords on this, his sophomore effort."[12] Also, Cartwright noted this album as being an "endearing 11-song journey, replete with fanciful arrangements, lyrical imagination and an authentic vocal that makes every step a joy."[12]

Hellman of Christian Music Review gave the idea this album "wouldn't sit atop my favorite albums list, it was a solid 40 minutes of time well spent."[14]

Breimeier of Christianity Today alluded to this album as sending Heath "well on the way toward developing his likable sound and relatable personality into rewarding songcraft".[15]

Bridge of Cross Rhythms said this album by Heath "asks the question of Christians to see what Jesus sees in our world today so we can act. In 11 beautifully crafted pop songs Heath challenges Christians to change the world."[16]

Mabee of Jesus Freak Hideout talked about "if you enjoyed Brandon Heath's debut, are a fan of Mat Kearney or Matthew West, or you're simply looking for a feel-good, melody-driven record, pick up What If We. While the singer/songwriter's debut was powerful and impressive, his second outing is definitely one that you'll be playing long after the summer is over."[17]

Watson of Jesus Freak Hideout noted that this album "takes the best aspects of his debut and builds on them."[17]

Davies of Louder Than the Music said of Heath's second album that it "isn't bad with its observational lyrics and same style acoustic guitar, sadly that style becomes tiresome."[18] Furthermore, Davies alluded to the album as containing "highlights and some great points, but after a listen through there wasn't much that drew me back for a second listen."[18]

Davis of New Release Tuesday noted that Heath's work is a "great 2nd album and a slight improvement in my opinion, which is refreshing."[13]

Nathan of New Release Tuesday gave this album "a pretty solid effort all around, as there is a nice mix of emotional and inspirational pop and adult contemporary. His ballads are strong but there is nothing really exceptional musically. Good lyrics abound and Brandon Heath succeeds with his questions and ahis sophomore piece".[13]

Dickinson of The Phantom Tollbooth envisioned this album as being "a huge step forward for Brandon Heath. He's a maturing artist that continues to prepare himself for even bigger successes."[19]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Give Me Your Eyes"Heath, Jason Ingram3:52
2."Wait and See"Heath3:48
3."Trust You"Heath, Chad Cates, Ingram3:51
4."London"Heath, Cates3:34
5."Sunrise"Heath, Nate Campany, Dan Muckala4:01
6."Sore Eyes" (featuring Jars of Clay)Heath, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark3:35
7."Love Never Fails"Heath, Cates3:07
8."Listen Up"Heath, Ingram3:22
9."Fight Another Day"Heath, Cates, Muckala3:47
10."When I'm Alone"Heath, Company3:19
11."No Not One"Heath, Christy Nockels3:57
Total length:40:13

Charts

Album

Chart (2008) Peak
positions
US Billboard 200 73[20]
US Billboard Christian Albums 3[21]
US Billboard Catalog Albums 50[22]

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions
US Christian
2008 "Give Me Your Eyes" 1[23]
2009 "Wait and See" 4[23]
2010 "Love Never Fails" 14[23]

References

  1. ^ "Christian CHR National Airplay". Radio & Records. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Andy Argyrakis (August 25, 2008). "Brandon Heath, 08/08". Christianity Today.
  3. ^ "Brandon Heath – What If We". Billboard. Retrieved September 25, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help) [dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Artist Chart History – Brandon Heath". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Brandon Heath's What If We Debuts at No. 3 on Sales Chart With First Single 'Give Me Your Eyes' No. 1 on CHR Radio". BREATHEcast.com. August 29, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c "Brandon Heath Single Give Me Your Eyes Continues Digital Sales Streak With More Than 12,000 Downloads Since Release". BREATHEcast.com. August 1, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
  7. ^ "GMA Honors Brandon Heath With Four Dove Awards Nominations". Jesus Freak Hideout. February 20, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  8. ^ ""Give Me Your Eyes" continues to rise for Brandon Heath". The Cleveland Leader. September 23, 2008. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  9. ^ "Wait and See - Brandon Heath". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  10. ^ Russ Breimeier (August 2008). "Brandon Heath – What If We". Christianity Today. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
  11. ^ a b Farias, Andree (August 19, 2008). "What If We". Allmusic. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  12. ^ a b c Cartwright, Grace S. (August 19, 2008). "What If We". CCM Magazine. Retrieved January 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b c d e f Davis, Kevin (October 28, 2008). "What If We". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  14. ^ a b Hellman, Jay (August 18, 2008). "What If We". Christian Music Review. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  15. ^ a b Breimeier, Russ (August 19, 2008). "What If We". Christianity Today. Retrieved January 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ a b Bridge, Steven (September 30, 2008). "What If We". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  17. ^ a b c d Mabee, Justin (July 23, 2008). "What If We". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  18. ^ a b c Davies, Jono (March 17, 2009). "What If We". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  19. ^ a b Dickinson, Shawn (August 12, 2008). "What If We". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  20. ^ Billboard (January 13, 2012). "Brandon Heath Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Billboard (January 13, 2012). "Brandon Heath Album & Song Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Billboard (January 13, 2012). "Brandon Heath Album & Song Chart History: Top Catalog Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ a b c Billboard (January 13, 2012). "Brandon Heath Album & Song Chart History: Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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