To celebrate the release of “Hello, Fear”, I’m giving away 5 copies of the CD and one pair of tickets to see Kirk Franklin & Steve Harvey LIVE in Nashville on April 9! Check out my review of  “Hello, Fear” below, followed by info on how you can enter to win!

I’ve been a fan of Kirk Franklin’s music since 1993. When I had to special-order his debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family, at my local Musicland store because they didn’t stock it, I had absolutely no idea that 12 years later he would be my boss.

Working closely with Kirk for 3 years was undoubtedly a high point of my 8-years in the music business. That season shaped me in many ways and forever changed the way I heard a Kirk Franklin album.  Having been in the heat of the action while both 2005’s Hero and 2007’s The Fight Of My Life were being created and brought to life and having a first-hand understanding of Kirk’s approach to his music, listening to his new album is a really unique and special experience for me.

First, Kirk Franklin album releases are events, and rightfully so.  In the midst of a fickle singles market where the tide of many an artist’s career rises on falls based on the flavor-of-the-month sound, Kirk has remained an artist who doesn’t simply write songs, but rather crafts albums. His albums are experiences, designed to take you on a journey, meticulously brushing personal lyrics and intricate melodies across a lush musical canvas; sometimes in broad strokes, other times with diminutive detail, but always intentional. Best of all, Kirk will quickly defer to God as the ultimate artist, simply using his pen to tell His story and reveal His glory.

Just as his last few albums have been, the body of work that is “Hello, Fear” is a snapshot of a moment in time that allows Kirk to be very transparent about his life and heart, which never fails to resonate with listeners the world over.

A break-up song to end all break-up songs, the opening title track issues a deceptively sweet “to the left, to the left” to the spirit of fear.  “Never again will I love you, my heart it refuses to be your home…” the singers flawlessly deliver in the chorus.  Following a powerful spoken-word piece detailing “The Story Of Fear” in Kirk’s life, “Before I Die” comes out swinging, horns blazing, percussion percolating DC “go-go” style and boldly declaring:

“I used to be afraid to die, I used to be afraid to try, ’cause I was too afraid of knowing what the end looked like, but the Son came to give me life, now I feel like I can touch the sky…”

Just as a specific musical composition is used to reinforce a central plot or theme in a film, on the intimate “But The Blood” we are introduced to what quickly becomes an overarching theme of this project via the lyrics, “Now we are never alone, your blood it makes us strong, now there is power to move on.” This powerful lyric and melody are reprised on no less than 4 of the album’s tracks, reinforcing the theme that our ultimate victory over fear truly is “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.” (Revelation 12:1).

The album’s first single, “I Smile”, is a standout, as are the bouncing “A God Like You”, the lyrically masterful “I Am”, the seemingly freestyle yet intimately fashioned worship of “The Moment #1” and “The Moment #2” and the anthem-like “Today”.  For me though, the centerpiece of “Hello, Fear” is “Everyone Hurts”, a stunning ballad with its finger on the pulse of the human condition. Over a 808-anchored track laced with emotive B-3, strings and synths, the song builds to an epic intercessory plea for divine intervention.

“So tonight, we cry out for the world, cry out for the world, ‘cause everyone hurts, everyone goes through sorrow…”

Repeat.

“Hello, Fear” is a brilliant collection of songs teeming with life, certain to empower listeners to face their fears head-on with courage, strength and hope in Christ. From the lyrics and crisp production to the stellar musicianship and strong ministry focus, it is a Kirk Franklin masterpiece and another hallmark moment in an exceptional catalog of music that has touched millions around the world. Hello, Fear.

“Hello, Fear” is available for purchase in stores and online everywhere today, and to celebrate its release, I’m partnering with Verity Gospel & Fo Yo Soul Entertainment to giveaway 5 copies of “Hello, Fear” to AnIdolHeart.com readers!

In addition, I’m also giving away one pair of tickets to see Kirk Franklin & comedian Steve Harvey LIVE in Nashville on April 9 at the Comedy Gospel Tour!

This giveaway has ended. The winners are listed here. Stay tuned for more giveaways coming soon!

.