Clear the Stage
Clear the Stage | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 27, 2012 | |||
Genre | Contemporary Christian, blues, folk rock | |||
Length | 38:18 | |||
Label | Inpop | |||
Producer | Ed Cash, Jimmy Needham | |||
Jimmy Needham chronology | ||||
|
Clear the Stage was the fourth studio album from Christian contemporary Christian musician Jimmy Needham, which was released on March 27, 2012 by Inpop Records, and was produced by Ed Cash and Jimmy Needham.[1] The album has seen commercial charting successes, as well as, positive critical attention.
Title track "Clear the Stage"
The title track "Clear the Stage" was written by Christian contemporary singer-songwriter Ross King who recorded the song in his 2002 album And All the Decorations, Too released on April 1, 2002. The main message conveyed in the song is that we need to clear the stage for God, who truly deserves it: "Cause you can sing all you want to / But still get it wrong / Worship is more than a song / We must not worship something / that's not even worth it / Clear the stage and make some space / for the one who deserves it". It also addresses what are idols in our lives that we must cast away for true belief: "Anything I put before my God is an idol / Anything I want with all my heart is an idol / Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol / Anything that I give all my love is an idol". Jimmy Needham also released a music video displaying the lyrics of the song.[2]
Music and lyrics
David Jeffries of
Sarah Fine at New Release Tuesday told that the artist was "Known for his eclectic mix of blue-eyed soul and groove-driven pop, his latest effort, Clear The Stage, comes as his most musically diverse and lyrically vulnerable project to date." Furthermore, Fine noted that the album was "Raw and thought-provoking lyrically, it also boasts a musical showcase secular counterparts might want to take note of, serving as one of the most diverse albums I’ve heard in quite some time."[7] At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre wrote that "With heartfelt lyrics and musical diverseness" that this album was his "the most mature and personal record to date."[8] At The Phantom Tollbooth, Michael Dalton said that "On Clear the Stage, Jimmy Needham sacrifices a little of his blue-eyed soul for a more pop-oriented sound. He loses a little distinctiveness on some tracks, but retains the R&B influence that is a trademark."[9] Tom Frigoli of Alpha Omega News wrote that with respect to the lyrics they were "written in conversational tones and are a joy to listen to", and noted that Needham's "musical versatility is stronger than ever and there are many different sounds and styles experienced on the album."[10]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
CCM Magazine | [3] |
Christian Music Zine | [11] |
Christianity Today | [6] |
Cross Rhythms | [5] |
Indie Vision Music | [8] |
Jesus Freak Hideout | [4] |
Louder Than the Music | [12] |
New Release Tuesday | [7] |
The Phantom Tollbooth | [9] |
Clear the Stage garnered generally positive reception from
At Christianity Today, Andy Argyrakis criticized that "There are also several additional R&B/jazz-infused moments to accompany his soulfully smooth vocals, but a few others are middle-of-the-road piano/acoustic songs lacking personality."[6] Sarah Fine at New Release Tuesday evoked that the album was "Fun, funky and full of faith, Clear The Stage is undoubtedly Jimmy Needham’s finest work to date", and that "Overall, this album does not disappoint and will be a hard one to follow up, but if anyone can do it, it’s Jimmy Needham."[7] At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre felt that the artist "has stretched the musical boundaries" in a good way on his fourth studio album.[8]
Michael Dalton of The Phantom Tollbooth called the album "arresting and unforgettable", which he wrote that "This may be Needham’s best and most mature recording to date, and the way he sings 'Clear the Stage' is worth hearing."[9] At Christian Music Zine, Tyler Hess felt that the album was "a solid follow up to Nightlights and has a few special songs that can hit your heart strings."[11] Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music proclaimed this was "A top quality recording".[12] At Alpha Omega News, Tom Frigoli graded the album an A, which he wrote that "The album offers everything fans have come to know and love from Jimmy Needham and so much more", and told that he "definitely recommend checking out this project as well as his previous albums!"[10]
Commercial performance
For the Billboard charting week of April 14, 2012, Clear the Stage was the No. 128 most sold album in the entirety of the United States by the Billboard 200 and it was the No. 9 Top Christian Album as well.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "I Will Find You" (featuring Lecrae) | Ross King, Lecrae Moore, Jimmy Needham | 3:51 |
2. | "If I Ever Needed Grace" | Ed Cash, Needham | 3:44 |
3. | "Daddy's Baby Girl" | Cash, Needham | 3:06 |
4. | "Rock Bottom" | Cash, Needham | 3:21 |
5. | "Stay" (featuring Lizi Bailey) | Lizi Bailey, Needham | 4:29 |
6. | "In the Middle" | Cash, Needham | 3:42 |
7. | "Arrows" | Cash, Needham | 3:37 |
8. | "My Victory" | Matt Armstrong, Cash, Needham | 3:39 |
9. | "Only One" | Needham | 4:03 |
10. | "Clear the Stage" | King | 4:46 |
Total length: | 38:18 |
Charts
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[13] | 59 |
US Billboard 200[14] | 128 |
US | 9 |
References
- ^ a b c d Jeffries, David (March 26, 2012). "Clear the Stage – Jimmy Needham : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- YouTube
- ^ a b c Aspinwall, Grace S. (April 1, 2012). "Jimmy Needham: Clear The Stage (Inpop Records)". CCM Magazine. p. 42. Retrieved September 17, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Hoskins, Kevin (March 18, 2013). "Jimmy Needham, "Clear The Stage" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Poulton, Isaac (April 24, 2012). "Review: Clear The Stage – Jimmy Needham". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c Argyrakis, Andy (March 27, 2012). "Jimmy Needham: Clear the Stage". Christianity Today. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c Fine, Sarah (March 19, 2012). "Jimmy's Best Effort To Date". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c Andre, Jonathan (April 20, 2013). "Jimmy Needham – Clear The Stage | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c Dalton, Michael (March 10, 2012). "Needham, Jimmy – Clear the Stage". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b Frigoli, Tom (May 8, 2012). "Jimmy Needham – Clear The Stage". Alpha Omega News. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b Hess, Tyler (March 26, 2012). "Jimmy Needham – Clear The Stage (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ a b Davies, Jono (March 2, 2012). "Reviews – Jimmy Needham – Clear the Stage". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Jimmy Needham – Clear the Stage". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Jimmy Needham Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Jimmy Needham Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2013.