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The Sound / Mary Mary

December, 2008 on BlackGospel.com
Musical Review by EM Fergusson

The dynamic female duo is back at it again: challenging traditional music molds with their unique brand of music and contemporary style that speaks to our generation in such a fun way. Mary Mary's new album, The Sound, is the first release since 'A Mary Mary Christmas' warmed hearts and ushered in the holiday cheer in late 2006. This time, The Sound attempts to draw listeners to worship on another level with luscious melodies and earnest lyrics. Tina and Erica Campbell, who make up Mary Mary, sincerely express their deep and defining love for the Gospel and unwavering faith in Jesus with music that’s symphonic and symmetrical in more ways than one.

The 11-track album includes songs that encourage, uplift and inspire listeners in the faith they’ve nurtured in church and into their adult lives as wives and mothers. As GRAMMY, Dove, Stellar, MOBO and American Music Award winners, Mary Mary will inevitably leave yet another imprint on the souls and spirits of listeners to The Sound. From upbeat and excitable tracks such as the edgy 'Superfriend' to the spiritually-refreshing, urban-dwelling 'God In Me,' The Sound is complete with musical gems that will remain current for generations to come. Both songs speak of a serious relationship with God that supersedes all earthly ties. It’s a message that’s destined to connect with listeners facing tragedy or temporal earthly success.

Other tracks, such as the high-tempo'd, high-tech 'Get Up,' which is an invitation for listeners to praise God in their own enthusiastic way. The lyrics speak to the heart, empowering listeners to: 'Get up, cause you can't stop/ Get up, gotta lot to do … What are you afraid of? Don't you know what you're made of?' The song sets the energetic tone for The Sound, by celebrating how God made us all. "That song embodies what the whole album is about," Erica says. "It asks people, 'Why are you waiting? Why do you care what other people think?' It reminds us that your beginning can be whenever you want it to be."

One of Mary Mary's more signature songs on The Sound is certainly the 70's-inspired ballad, 'I'm Running.' The stirring lyrics describe a heart longing for a closer walk with God, and include the praise and worship chorus, 'As The Deer.' This revolutionary girl group for the Gospel brings an exuberant sound to the album by weaving wonderful melodies into worshipful songs such as 'I'm Running.' 'I Worship You' is another prayerful song on the album, lifting the listener away with God to a secret place. Similarly, 'Seattle' is a poetic prose in prayer, asking the Lord to come into the soul the same way rain falls on the Emerald City.

Mary Mary describes The Sound as an avenue to reaching souls. "We represent a great, big God who is excellent, so we like to think that our work represents that, too," says Tina Campbell. "God's blessings are new every day. He's blowing our minds every day. We should be able to speak to a new day in a new way."

The final song on the album, 'It Will All Be Worth It' is a serene ballad that speaks of Heaven by reminiscing on the hardships experienced in life. The song celebrates the after-life and reminds Christians that the trials and temptations will be worth it all, when we all get to Heaven.

One of Mary Mary’s traits as artists and ministers is their awesome ability to consistently raise the level of their praise and production with each remarkable release. The Sound is further evidence of Mary Mary’s ability to speak the vernacular of today’s generation without compromise or complacency, as both young and old, saved and seeking are dancing in the joy of the Lord to The Sound.