Search - Joel Auge :: On the Blue

I'll go where You go....

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 09/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joel Augé (pronounced Oh-Zay) is a Canadian Gospel artist and "On the blue" is his contemplative acoustic driven US debut. Like his music, his lyrics are simple, yet heartfelt, words one can relate to.



Opening cut "So deep in love" introduces gentle beats and edgy guitars and lyrics expressing his deep love for God. Following this is my favourite song on the CD, the melancholic "Where You go I go" with fluid vocals reminding me of Kevin Max of DC Talk. Apparently a cover of a song by Brian Johnson with lyrics promising to do all God bids as he sings "So how can I expect to walk without You/When every move that Jesus made was in surrender/I will not begin to live without You/For You alone are worthy/And You are always good".



Some of the songs are stripped and unadorned, with melodic and deeply moving lyrics, prime example being the title track, an acoustic ballad about being at peace while out at sea (metaphorically) with Jesus at one's side. Similar are the beautiful "I am here to praise You" and the tender "I am here to praise You".



"Call on me" is a beautiful slow building ballad urging one to call on God in times of despair/fear/destitution/persecution and He will give you rest. Closing is the stark haunting "I know my place" with a yearning vocal performance.



The only upbeat songs are the chugging rocker "Even the rocks" and the pulsing U2/Coldplay-like Praise/Worship song "Glory glory".



This is a beautiful debut, with lyrics one can sing along to when adrift "On the blue"."