Mercy Me

All That Is Within Me

INO Records

Grade - A

Mercy Me has been very successful, probably one of the most commercially successful bands in the past five years.  Their lives have been a whirlwind of highs and lows with awards, accolades, and on the other end loss and grief.  Knowing the history of the band is important when you reflect on the latest album, “All That Is Within Me.” 

The band is far from ordinary and as the song suggests, we all should say “Goodbye Ordinary.”  I don’t know what it is right now, but this concept is hot.  As a Christian who has hope in the eternal sense it’s important that our joy be out of the ordinary.  Following that up is the second song, “Time Has Come,” which is a cry of worship that rocks.  Together the two songs make for an exciting start and the rest of the album is no let down.     

This disc has already become my favorite Mercy Me project.  The bio information suggests that Mercy Me wanted to make a project for the church this time, and several songs hit the mark dead-on.  In particular, there is “You Reign” which the band inherited from Steven Curtis Chapman.  Chapman had the idea but did not know where to go with it so he passed it along and it is one of the best worship tunes on the new CD.  Lastly, I mentioned earlier about the loss and grief that the band members have experienced.  These experiences have often led to beautiful songs like “I Can Only Imagine,” and on this project Millard wrote “Finally Home,” in memory of his father who died of cancer.  It is a deeply personal song for Millard, and it will surely hit home for many others just as Imagine did.

“All That Is Within Me,” like the cover art, is all that is within Mercy Me – worship, family, and music.  These three things are prevalent in their lives and they have inspired great music that is a real blessing to others.

Ken W.