Sara Groves has the voice of an angel, the heart of a devoted mother and wife, and the soul of a poet. It might sound cheesy, but it's true. And her third album, All Right Here, is an instant classic of devotional pop from... more » this former high school history teacher. It's more upbeat and sonically fleshed-out than its predecessor, Conversations, which was one of the breakthrough releases of 2001. Among All Right Here's many treats are the baroque folk of "You Cannot Lose My Love" and the edgy, anthemic "Less Like Scars." Throughout the disc, the talented pianist and singer-songwriter's lyrics are soul-searching and achingly honest, reminiscent of the great Rich Mullins. Her songs themselves are as strong as Jennifer Knapp's, while she amply displays the heavenly vocal chops of Sarah McLachlan and Shawn Colvin. --Mike McGonigal« less
Sara Groves has the voice of an angel, the heart of a devoted mother and wife, and the soul of a poet. It might sound cheesy, but it's true. And her third album, All Right Here, is an instant classic of devotional pop from this former high school history teacher. It's more upbeat and sonically fleshed-out than its predecessor, Conversations, which was one of the breakthrough releases of 2001. Among All Right Here's many treats are the baroque folk of "You Cannot Lose My Love" and the edgy, anthemic "Less Like Scars." Throughout the disc, the talented pianist and singer-songwriter's lyrics are soul-searching and achingly honest, reminiscent of the great Rich Mullins. Her songs themselves are as strong as Jennifer Knapp's, while she amply displays the heavenly vocal chops of Sarah McLachlan and Shawn Colvin. --Mike McGonigal
Stephanie S. from MARIETTA, GA Reviewed on 3/11/2011...
This is a great one.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Tacey R. from PERKASIE, PA Reviewed on 6/9/2010...
I love all Sara Groves albums. Very introspective, but also uplifting/inspirational/faith building.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Dana K. from OLDSMAR, FL Reviewed on 9/23/2006...
its really good. sara groves is an amazing person, singer and ispiration.
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Thoughtful, intelligent Christian music
Joe Sherry | Minnesota | 02/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is kind of funny, reading some of the reviews of this album. The major complaints are that this album is not Conversations and also that Sara does not mention God or Jesus over and over again. My response to that would be that while Conversations is probably my favorite of Sara's albums, if I wanted to listen to Conversations...I'd just put in that cd and not hope that the next album was the same as the last. I appreciate artistic growth. My response to the second is that sometimes we forget that not every word out of our mouths and not every thought that we have is about God. So, while Sara Groves is a Christian and a Christian artist, if every line of every song directly mentioned God....the songs would probably sound the same and Groves wouldn't have the talent that she does. A person can talk about God and about her walk with Christ without always directly mentioning God. Besides....the book of Esther does not mention God once....and Esther is in the Bible. The hot single from this album is "First Song that I Sing". It is a catchy pop-ish song about how the first thing Sara will do every day is praise and worship and glorify God. It really hits home because I know this is something I'm failing at in my own life. My favorite two songs on the album are "Less Like Scars" (about how the wounds of Christ are less like scars and more like a victory and salvation) and "Maybe There Is A Loving God." If this album is not quite as good as Conversations, it is very, very close. It is also a much better album than Sara's first album, Past the Wishing."
Hidden Jewels
Maddy Dunn | BONDI BEACH, NSW Australia | 01/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I was deciding which Sara Groves album to buy, after sampling a few tracks of both on the Net, I felt myself leaning towards Conversations...it seemed more instantly classic.
However, I couldn't make up my mind so I went down to my local Koorong store (A big Christian bookstore in Sydney, Australia) and bought both of them!!!
I was glad I did because within two listens, All Right Here had stolen my heart as my favourite CD for some time now.
There's a joyousness in the album, something subtle that I can't quite put my finger on...that X factor which makes this album, while not as immediate as Conversations, ultimately the more rewarding of the two.
Maybe its because it features the best Christian praise song since Amy Grant sang her Praise to the Lord back in '82 (the homage to Rich Mullins on Sara's song really gets me jumping around the room) or maybe the impossibly catchy refrain of Maybe There's a Loving God...or perhaps its just the lyrics which I relate to with such personal conviction (esp. Less Like Scars and All Right Here).
Although I loved Conversations (Hello Lord is like a prayer written especially for me) All Right Here is a finer honing of her craft and a lesson in growth from a wise Christian."
Soul, Beauty and Faith
Jeremy Garber | Denver, CO United States | 12/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sara Groves' album is an example of what Christian music ought to be. Sincere, powerful, and with the talent to back it up. Too often anything with Christian lyrics is assumed to be OK, but Groves proves that you can be faithful and still be committed to good musicianship. Less Like Scars speaks volumes without recycling stale Christian cliches. Buy this one and see what you've been missing."
Crossover Appeal
csquard | 08/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sara Groves is an outstanding singer-songwriter with the potential to appear not only on CCM charts, but on country, pop, and blues charts, as well. "All Right Here" is an ideal vehicle to showcase that crossover potential. It's all right here -- honest Christian lyrics, gentle love songs about husbands and children, and some county-blues complete with excellent dobro-esque backup. That's the good news and the bad news. Those looking for excellent music regardless of genre will delight in this CD. Those looking for more overtly Christian music, as in "Converstations", however, may well be a bit disappointed. Frankly, I am in the latter category; hence, the 4-star rating, though even now I'm having second thoughts -- she is just so good!"