Martin Smith: Back to the Start {A Review & Family Christian Giveaway}

**Product received for review.

I have always loved music. From a very young age, I remember singing along to music on the radio. There truly was something about a good song that can make a gloomy day just a little bit brighter. I shared this love of music with my Great Great Uncle Theodore. He had an amazing music collection and wanted to help me grow my own as well. So each month, he'd seen me $20 for CDs of my choosing. Now, some months I knew exactly what I wanted and couldn't wait to buy those beloved CDs...other months, there was really nothing new so I took the opportunity to try things I might not otherwise. I'd find artists that perhaps I'd never heard of but who seemed like my style. Sometimes I found that they weren't the greatest, but more often than not it allowed me to discover bands I loved that I might not have known of otherwise. I loved having that guilt-free chance to try out and fall in love with something new and exciting.

In some ways, being a review blogger is just like that. You have the chance to experience products that you may have very well walked past on the shelf and share them with others. This is exactly the case when I was given the chance as a Family Christian blogger to review Back to the Start by Martin Smith. Let's take a look:

Martin Smith, former frontman of the rock group Delirious? returns with Back to the Start, featuring a combination of songs taken from his two God's Great Dance Floor solo albums, Step 01 and Step 02. The tracks included on Back to the Start feature co-writes with Tim Hughes (Worship Central), Reuben Morgan (Hillsong), Nick Herbert and Matt Redman. 

Track Listing:

• Back to the Start
• Waiting Here for You
• Fire Never Sleeps
• Shepherd Boy
• Awake My Soul
• Emmanuel
• God is Coming
• Great is Your Faithfulness
• Only Have Eyes for You
• Grace
• You Are My Salvation
• Song of Solomon
• Redemption Day
• God's Great Dance Floor

Now, honestly, I didn't have the slightest idea who Martin Smith was. It wasn't an artist I recognized, I couldn't recall hearing any of his music on K-Love as I went about my day. Had I seen this CD on the shelf at Family Christian, I likely wouldn't have given it a second glance, as these days I tend to stick with only those I know I'll love. But I was given the chance to review it and thought- why not? And boy, I could not be happier to have been given that chance!

Upon the first verse of the first song, I knew this was going to be a hit with me. It is everything I love about music. It's beautiful- peaceful- but not boring. Martin's voice is perfection and had me ready to listen all day. And most importantly- the words. I know for some, it's more about the catchy-ness of a tune, but for me I want music with some true meaning behind it. This is perhaps why I am drawn to Christian music more than any other, and these songs certainly did not disappoint. Each and every song was written beautifully. This should come as no surprise when I discovered that many of the songs were co-written by some of my favorites like Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman and Michael W. Smith. With each passing song I found myself thinking this must be the greatest song on the album...only to be surprised once again. Truly, every son is beautiful but Waiting Here For You and Grace certainly stood out each time. I loved the addition of Sarah Bird in Waiting Here For You- because I love singing along, I've always been a bit more drawn to female voices, so this was ideal for me. Grace was just...wow. I can truly think of no other words...more than anything, the message behind this one is just amazing and beautiful. I love it!

I could go on and on and share each and every song on the CD but honestly, nothing could compare to listening for yourself. If you'd like to purchase a copy for yourself, it is available to purchase at Family Christian stores everywhere and online!

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And to help with your purchase (or ANY Family Christian purchase), one lucky reader is going to win a $10 Appreciation Certificate. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

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Winner will be contacted via e-mail after giveaway ends, and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. One entry per household, winning entry will be verified. Odds of winning depend on valid entries received. A Modern Day Fairy Tale is not responsible for prize delivery.