The CD opens with the driving song "Live Out Loud." This song, like several of his past songs, takes a current pop culture hit and uses it to make a point about Christianity. And it's fun.

From there, the project hits many more high notes. "No Greater Love" is a magnificent song inspired by the classic story told in "Through Gates of Splendor." Be sure to read the notes on that song.

My favorite songs are right next to each other. "God is God" tackles the pain we experience in life and reaches the same conclusion Job did - I don't understand God's way, but He is God so I need to trust Him. "See the Glory," the "Gameboy" song, is another fun song reminding us to stop looking at what's going on around us and remember who God is.

Looking back over the list, there are only one or two songs I don't like, and they're continuing to grow on me.

I have had this CD playing almost constantly since I got it. It's fun, yet manages to tackle some serious subjects in a mature way. I highly recommend it for any Steven Curtis Chapman fan.


GROWING BETTER AND STRONGER   September 28, 2001
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

It's amazing. Steven Curtis Chapman continues to improve with each CD. Exceeding "Speechless," this CD is a sonic wonder filled with everything from simple compositions ("When Love Takes You In") to electronic game boy sounds ("See The Glory") to beatlesque tunes ("This Day") to rock ("Jesus Is Life")to full blown orchestral ballads ("Savior"). This one has a bit of everything, yet it holds together well. The real improvement is in the lyrics, though. They are thoughtful, Biblically based, and yet full of great hooks for singing along. There's inspiration here, too (if "Bring It On" doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet!). As always, the production and engineering are as good, or better, than anything you will ever hear on the popular music market. Yes, by all means, purchase it and enjoy it as you play it to death.


Honesty   September 26, 2001
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

At a time when groups seem to sound the same album after album, Steven Curtis Chapman continues to grow and change his sound. Beyond the music, which ranges from a gentle piano solo, "Love Takes You In" to the driving "Wake Up(Gameboy)", there is such honesty in his words. "God is God" continues the journey started in SCC's last album "Speechless", dealing with the issue of life's pain and why things happen. In a later rousing song SCC says that if trouble is going to make him strong then "Bring It On". In light of recent tradegies it seems fitting that Steven Curtis Chapman should write the song "No Greater Love" dealing with the spritual truth that "there is no greater love than this...to be willing to die so another may live".

Although the album leans more toward a hard rock feel than previous albums there is a variety of styles. "Declaration of Dependence" starts with a fun catchy feel and SCC overhearing the conversation of a flower with the sky. "Jesus Is Life" has an 80 esque rolicky feel.

Sonically and lyrically "Declaration" is a winner.


Excellent CD   February 13, 2002
Samantha (USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Well, Steven Curtis Chapman has done it again! This is another great cd! he starts it out with the enthusiastic, high-energy "Live Out Loud." This song is just about living your life for God, and not being afraid to show it. My favorite on the cd is a beautiful slower song "When Love Takes You In" about adoption, but also about how God takes us into His family. He also throws in some fun songs like "Bring It On" and "Jesus Is Life." Bring It On incorporates GameBoy noises, but also has a neat message. "Carry You To Jesus" is another pretty song about a friend who is trying to help someone through a hard time.

I would definitely recommend this cd to anyone who likes Steven Curtis Chapman's music. A great cd for everyone to have!


Another masterpiece by Steven Curtis Chapman   September 25, 2001
Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I have been following this gifted singer/songwriter since his "For the Sake of the Call" days, so I was very excited to get this new release! Steven has such a way with words - his lyrics run the gamut from humorous and clever (Live Out Loud) to simple yet profound (Carry You To Jesus and Savior).

At first listen, I think I like this album better than "Speechless", which is saying a lot! If you have Christian radio in your area, no doubt you've heard the radio single "Live Out Loud." This song starts like this:

Imagine this...I get a phone call from Regis
He says, "Do you want to be a millionaire?"
They put me on the show and I win with two lifelines to spare
Now picture this...I act like nothing ever happened
And bury all the money in a coffee can
Well, I've been given more than Regis ever gave away
I was a dead man who was called to come out of my grave
And I think it's time for makin' some noise...

Wake the neighbors, get the word out
Come on...crank up the music...climb a mountain and shouto
This is life we've been given made to be lived out
So la la la la live out loud.
Live out loud.

This CD grabs you with this song, but what you'll find is a range of marvelous new songs, all very meaningful. I really appreciate SCC including Bible verse references for each song in the liner notes.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the album was the song "No Greater Love". When you first hear it, you might wonder if they patched in some weird ancient chanting from a different world and time! It turns out that one of the Auca Indians from Ecuador who killed the 5 missionaries back in 1956 is the person chanting at the end of this song! This man, Mincaye, and many of his tribe, have become believers in the same Jesus Christ that Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and 3 other men came to Ecuador to tell them about! In the lyrics of Steven's song, you'll hear a "beyond the gates of splendor", referring to the book "Through Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot. If you haven't read this book, be sure to order a copy from Amazon, along with "Shadow of the Almighty" and "The Savage My Kinsman", to get the whole picture. Mincaye's "praise song" which he chants is translated for us and you can read the English words in the liner notes.

Probably my two favorite songs on this CD are the last two - "Carry You to Jesus" and "Savior". "Carry You to Jesus" starts like this:

I will not pretend to feel the pain you're going through
I know I cannot comprehend the hurt you've known
And I used to think it mattered if I understood
but now I just don't know

Well, I'll admit sometimes I still wish I knew what to say
And I keep looking for a way to fix it all
But we know we're at the mercy of God's higher ways
And our ways are so small
But I will carry you to Jesus
He is everything you need
I will carry you to Jesus on my knees.

I find this song to be extremely relevant given the tragedy of September 11th. I'm sure this song will give much encouragement.

"Savior" is a beautiful piece with lush orchestration. At the end, the orchestral section reminds me a lot of the Prelude to "The Great Adventure", which came out back in 1992!

Steven and his wife Mary Beth adopted a little girl from China named Shaohannah and at the time of the 9/11/01 tragedy, they were in Washington DC to accept an "Angels in Adoption" award in front of the US Congress on Wednesday, 9/12. After the plane hit the pentagon, Steven and Mary Beth and Shaohannah were able to get out of the city in a rented car and return home to Nashville.

You won't be disappointed with Steven's latest release!