Last week, Andrew Peterson released his dynamic new album “Light For The Lost Boy” to happy fans and rave reviews. And rightfully so! This is a great record from start to finish, and fun fact: you can actually get it as a record, as in a vinyl! In the words of Liv Tyler in That Thing You Do, “a record-record-record.” And if that isn't enough, Andrew did something else new; he released the official studio album along with an acoustic take of the whole album as well.
I must confess, I like the “real” album, but the acoustic version has been running on repeat since I got it. The raw cut is much more reminiscent of his live show, and translates the poetry of the songs without any mask or garnish. But it's more than just this, because the content has reached a new level for the songwriter and it comes through beautifully in each and every song. It is clear through the songs that Andrew has been doing a lot of thinking. Watching his kids grow up, experiencing that process with them, and pondering on his own life over the years, his own “growing-up” process in the Lord and the many stories and lessons that come out of that. We always see his heart in his songs, but this time he went a little deeper, digging into a piece of himself where few writers dare to go. It is a place of frailty, fear, and wonder. It is a place in the presence of God, and Andrew Peterson has come to a rare point in his life where he is able to go there and take us, his audience, with him. It is not something foreign to ourselves, but is buried deep within our own souls and aching to surface, and he brings it forth as a brother and friend by your side.
There is only one other songwriter I know of who has done this, and he changed music forever.
Rich Mullins was like a kid playing with Jesus in the backyard. Kickball, wrestling, tag. It didn't matter to him what was going on as long as Jesus was there. You see videos and read articles where he's talking about his Savior, and he gets so excited at the very thought. He lived life in unbridled awe of God and His creations. And this resonated through his songs, as he sang “If I Stand,” “Awesome God,” “My Deliverer,” and countless others. I can't say he understood redemption, because I don't think anyone really can fully comprehend it, but he grabbed onto it and held on for dear life. And for that, he was, in a way, a little closer to eternity than any of us could ever imagine, but he put out his musical hand and lead us into that place with him.
This is where we find Andrew Peterson today, with his new album returning us to the childlike heart of Rich's music and ministry. He references, in several places, classic literature - Peter Pan, The Road, and The Yearling, to name a few - all emphasizing the innocence of childhood and the loss of that in the world of adulthood; a picture of our souls' state before and after the Fall. And the music wrapping around these themes capture perfectly the essence of the original works. He also, in keeping (again) with the spirit of Rich, shares his heart's cry for the Day of Christ to come and the return to Eden's innocence, and he draws us into that longing with him. It is the Franciscan way, referring to nature, all of creation both in the seen and unseen, pulling the two realms together and weaving them taut to reveal the glory of God all around us. It is what breaks the heart and strengthens it all at once.
I leave you with the closing lyrics of the album, from the song “Don't You Want To Thank Someone.”
Now I can see the world is charged. It's glimmering with promises,
Written in a script of stars and dripping from prophets' lips.
But still, my thirst is never slaked, I am hounded by a restlessness.
I'm eaten by this endless ache, but still I will give thanks for this
'Cause I can see it in the seas of wheat; I can feel it when the horses run.
It's howling in the snowy peaks; it's blazing in the midnight sun.
Just behind a veil of wind, a million angels waiting in the wings;
A swirling storm of cherubim, making ready for the Reckoning.
Oh, how long, how long?
Oh, sing on, sing on!
And when the world is new again, and the children of the King
Are ancient in their youth again, maybe it's a better thing;
To be more than merely innocent, but to be broken then redeemed by love.
Maybe this old world is bent, but it's waking up and I'm waking up;
'Cause I can hear the voice of one,
He's crying in the wilderness.
“Make ready for the Kingdom Come!”
Don't you want to thank someone for this?
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Come back soon!
Feel free to check out "Light For The Lost Boy"
and Andrew's other great releases at The Rabbit Room HERE