Search - Bebo Norman :: Between the Dreaming & The Coming True

Martha S. from NASHVILLE, TN
Reviewed on 1/19/2007...

I'm guessing this may be an advance copy? It has the date of September 19, 2006 on the CD, and has a different picture on the front.

Positive and strongly produced, but not the same Bebo

Seth Merlo | Australia | 11/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I gave 'Between...' 4/5, but its not the Bebo Norman I feel in love with on 'Ten Thousand Days'. I've got nothing against artists stretching themselves artistically (Jars of Clay, for example, do it with every other album), but this is almost a complete change in direction with very little to identify it as a 'Bebo Norman' record. The whole image and feel of the album seems as though its meant to be marketed to the mature-contemporary-worship-cum-acoustic-pop crowd and reminds me of Fernando Ortega's 'Storm' and 'Home' albums in that I could see them being performed on morning talk shows. The only tracks that holds onto his folk roots both lyrically and musically are 'To Find My Way to You' and 'Sunday'. It was disappointing to hear him almost completely forgoe the sound that gave him his break in the first place. Even Jars still retain that folksy feel no matter how much they experiment.



Like I said though, I still give it 4/5 because it's such a strongly produced album. I'm no real fan of Jason Ingram, but he did a real good job on this one, and there's enough studio trickery and knob twiddling going on that I get the impression that a lot of time was spent in the studio perfecting these songs. Lyrically, some of the songs border on worship cliches ('I Will Lift My Eyes'), but Bebo delivers them so fervently that I can overlook this. Time has been spent on writing truly melodic vocal melodies too ('Time Takes its Toll' for eg). I'm constantly surprised how flat some vocalists sound when there's a beautiful vocal melody just screaming to get out (pun intended). 'Into the Day' is perhaps my favourite as it's such a strong opener, with an interesting rhythm on the acoustic guitar, though I wish it had gone into the break once more before the end of the song. On another plus, it's great to hear Bebo sing about happy things for a change, which I imagine was ultimately responsible for the shift in style. His lyrics are more upbeat and the use of the 'sunrise' as a metaphor of (God's) hope breaking through is used a few times. Thematically, it's a complete turn around from his previous album 'Try' ('Into the Day' is the complete opposite of 'Drifting' for example). It seems that his recent marriage has done wonders for Bebo's world view ;)



Also, after all the fuss that was made in the press releases over all the brass and strings that were recorded for this album, I can't make any out in any significant fashion. They're there, but they certainly weren't used in any obvious way (brass lead as opposed to an electric guitar lead for example), which is how I imagined the brass being used after what I had read, so that was a little disappointing. There is a big string arrangement on the piano ballad 'My Eyes Have Seen Holy' though...



All in all, 'Between...' is a very positive album with very high production values, even if it verges on daytime-TV-appearance territory in some (admittedly minor) places. You won't be disappointed if you're already a fan, and if you're not, this is as good a place to start as any (it's a heck of a lot better than 'Big Blue Sky' - eek!). Despite my gripes, listening to this album puts a smile on my face, and I still choke up singing along with 'Into the Day,' 'Time Takes its Toll' and 'Sunday'."

Bebo's best yet is absolutely delicious

Michael Dalton | Eureka, CA United States | 10/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally introduced as part of a new wave of folk artists, Bebo Norman's music has gone in a different direction that comes to fruition on Between the Dreaming and the Coming True.



His early Ten Thousand Days release had me seeing visions of another Rich Mullins. But subsequent recordings found him wandering further from folk into more of a pop/rock sound. Though Ten Thousand Days remains a favorite, I can forgive Bebo for straying from folk. This new release is a phenomenal achievement.



When Natalie Grant released Awaken, she took her artistry to a new level. Sophisticated and tight production gave her a bold new sound that was met with critical acclaim. Bebo Norman has now made a similar leap.



It's not everyday that I find myself immediately "wowed" by a recording, but that has been my experience on almost each of these songs. My sister, a connoisseur of music who favors modern contemporary worship along the lines of Chris Tomlin, Delirious and others, was also impressed.



Though the music may not be entirely original--I hear elements of U2, Coldplay and Chris Tomlin--it's absolutely delicious. Norman has refined a modern pop/rock sound with an acoustic base to a degree that he never achieved on previous efforts. The production is more polished.



Some songs have an anthem-like quality. He has taken some of the best parts from different influences and combined them in a way that makes this on the whole more accessible than his earlier work.



His delivery sounds mature and confident. He achieves a near perfect blend of acoustic and electronic sounds that complement poetic and introspective lyrics.



At times he addresses God directly, making this comparable to some of the best offerings in contemporary worship music. He also turns his gaze to the human condition, producing one of the most delightful and touching love songs ("To Find My Way To You") that I have heard. The dreamy guitars are a feast for the ears.



This is easily Bebo's best recording and one of the best of the year.

"