The Generous Mr. Lovewell
The Generous Mr. Lovewell | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 4, 2010[1] | |||
Recorded | 2009–2010 in the United States[nb 1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 43:07 | |||
INO | ||||
Producer | Brown Bannister Dan Muckala | |||
MercyMe chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Generous Mr. Lovewell | ||||
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The Generous Mr. Lovewell is the sixth studio album by
Three singles were released in promotion of the album, all of them reaching number one on " also reached number one on the Christian Songs chart, holding the top spot for one and nine weeks, respectively, with "Move" also peaking at No. 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
This was also the last MercyMe album to feature founding member Jim Bryson.
Background, concept, and recording
The idea for the character of "Mr. Lovewell" and the album came up while the band was attempting to figure out concepts for the record. According to lead singer Bart Millard "we [MercyMe] were trying to come up with the concept for our next record. For some reason, the words 'love well' got stuck in my head".[5] Millard elaborated that "we're very good, as a nation, at loving well when a massive tragedy takes place... We all of a sudden become very unified, which is a great, great thing. But on a day-to-day basis, we pass up opportunities. We look the other way, or we try to ignore. So the idea of loving well is almost a kind of 'pay it forward' that revolves around the cross".[5] With that general idea, MercyMe was going to name the album Love Well. However, the band decided to make a character that personifies the idea of 'loving well', and came up with the character of 'Mr. Lovewell',[5] partly inspired by The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.[6] Because of the character and the more diverse sound the album was going to have, the band felt the original name didn't fit and changed the album name to reflect the character of 'Mr. Lovewell'. Millard has described the character of 'Mr. Lovewell' as "like Buddy the Elf meets Forrest Gump. He sees the good in everyone and knows his neighbors enough to know their needs. Mr. Lovewell may not be the next Billy Graham, but he’s changing the world each day in every little word and deed.”[7]
The concept of 'loving well' was further developed when the band made a trip to the Dominican Republic and were inspired by the resilient spirits of people living in poverty on the island.[5] When the band started to write the songs for the album, they joined the character of 'Mr. Lovewell' and the concept of 'loving well', creating the overall message of love that is present in the album.[8] Millard stated the band's dream for the album was "to inspire others to ‘pay it forward’ to the cross. It doesn’t have to be about major sacrifices. Just let your life become such that people know what you stand for".[7]
The album was recorded mostly by Reid Shippen at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas, with the exceptions of "Won't You Be My Love" and "All of Creation", which were recorded by Steve Bishir at Quad Studios.[nb 2]
Composition
Music
MercyMe wanted to get out of their comfort zone with the overall sound of the album, and brought in producer Dan Muckala.[8] Millard has said that he initially wrote the songs on the album as poems and then the band worked on the music, meaning the band didn't think much about the overall length of the songs.[8] MercyMe further developed the sound of the album by looking to the work of The Beatles for inspiration.[5]
The songs on the album often vary in genre, with many falling outside of MercyMe's usual adult contemporary sound.[2] Songs on the album take influences from many genres, including electronic rock on "This Life"[7][9] and dance music/dance-rock on "Move".[7][9] "All of Creation", "Only You Remain", and "Won't You Be My Love" have a more general worship or Adult Contemporary feel,[7][9] while the title track takes a musical feel similar to that of The Beatles.[6][2]
Lyrics
The album's lyrical content generally revolves around a theme of unconditional love and a concept MercyMe has called 'loving well'.[5][8][10] Other lyrical themes include worship[7][8] and selflessness.[7]
Individual songs vary on the overall theme of love. "Beautiful" was written for the daughters of the band members, expressing the Christian viewpoint that Jesus saw something beautiful, something worth dying for, in everyone.[7][11] "This So Called Love" expresses the belief that all good deeds done absent of Jesus are in vain.[8]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Plugged In | (positive)[16] |
USA Today | [17] |
Critical reception to The Generous Mr. Lovewell was generally positive. Giving the album four-and-a-half out of five stars,
Kevin McNeese of NewReleaseTuesday gave the album five out of five stars, opining that "[The Generous Mr. Lovewell] takes the formula that MercyMe has perfected and drop kicks it out of Mr. Lovewell's window".[9] Roger Gelwicks of Jesus Freak Hideout was even less positive, opining that "MercyMe is still on top of their game... however, The Generous Mr. Lovewell is undeniably a pretty forgettable record, and while there are a few gems to be found, it's only going to appeal to the already-existent fanbase MercyMe has garnered after all these years",[15] also stating that "MercyMe still has great things to say and their musical progression has been adequate enough, but it's hard to see their sixth record as anything extraordinary and more desirable than their previous material."[15] Billboard reviewer Deborah Evans Price commented that "from the buoyant opener "This Life" to the brief but eloquent closer "This So Called Love," MercyMe's sixth studio album, "The Generous Mr. Lovewell," is a beautifully executed set that celebrates how the power of love can change the world... Music with a message has never sounded lovelier".[6]
Accolades
At the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, The Generous Mr. Lovewell was nominated for Top Christian Album and "All of Creation" was nominated for Top Christian Song.[18] At the 42nd GMA Dove Awards, "All of Creation" was nominated for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.[19]
Release and promotion
"The Generous Mr. Lovewell" debuted at number 3 on the
Three singles were released from The Generous Mr. Lovewell. The album's first single, "
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "This Life" | Bart Millard, James Bryson, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Michael Scheuchzer, Robin Shaffer, Dan Muckala | 3:44 |
2. | "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer | 4:10 |
3. | "Move" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer, Muckala | 2:58 |
4. | "Crazy Enough" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer | 4:07 |
5. | "All of Creation" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer, Muckala | 3:56 |
6. | "Beautiful" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer, Bart Millard | 4:22 |
7. | "Back to You" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer, Muckala | 4:11 |
8. | "Only You Remain" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer, Muckala, Jason Ingram | 4:51 |
9. | "Free" | Millard, Bryson, Cochran, Graul, Scheuchzer, Shaffer, Muckala, Ingram | 4:09 |
10. | "Won't You Be My Love" | Thad Cockrell, Nick Kish, Bart Millard | 5:16 |
11. | "This So Called Love" | Millard | 1:36 |
Total length: | 43:07 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from Allmusic[37]
MercyMe[nb 3]
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Additional Performers
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Production and Technical
- Brown Bannister – producer, overdub recording, digital editing
- Dan Muckala – producer, overdub recording, digital editing
- F. Reid Shippen – recording (1-4, 6-9, 11), mixing
- Steve Bishir – recording (5, 10)
- Aaron Chmielewski – recording assistant (1-4, 6-9, 11)
- Dan Deurloo – recording assistant (1-4, 6-9, 11), digital editing
- Charles Godfrey – recording assistant (1-4, 6-9, 11)
- Buckley Miller – recording assistant (1-4, 6-9, 11)
- Bill Whittington – overdub recording, digital editing
- Chuck Butler – digital editing
- Erik "Keller" Jahner – mix assistant
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- David Edmonson – photography
- Luke Edmonson – photography
- Brody Harper – art direction, cover design
- Ben McCraw – package design
- Kristin Weidemann – artwork
- Leigh Ragan – hair stylist, make-up
- Danielle Kelley – casting
- Daniel Martin – casting
Additional Studios
- Overdubbed at Townsend Sound Studios and Glomo Studio (Nashville, Tennessee).
- Mixed at Robot Lemon (Nashville, Tennessee).
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York).
Chart positions
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Certifications
Country | Certification | Units shipped |
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United States | Gold[28] | 500,000[29] |
References
- Notes
- ^ According to the inner liner notes of the album.
- ^ According to the inner liner notes of the album.
- ^ The band members' instruments are not credited on the album's liner notes, aside from crediting backing vocals and being part of the band. Their primary instruments are listed based on their accounts of their de facto primary roles in the group.
- Footnotes
- ^ "iTunes – Music – The Generous Mr. Lovewell by MercyMe". iTunes. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on August 21, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ AllMusic
- ^ a b "'All Of Creation' Today Only". MercyMe. January 22, 2010. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "Lovewell LIVE". MercyMe. September 7, 2010. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d e f Copely, Rich (April 23, 2011). "MercyMe's 'Mr. Lovewell' has taken on a life of his own". Kentucky.com. Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Price, Deborah (May 29, 2010). "The Generous Mr. Lovewell". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Davis, Kevin (April 26, 2010). "Mercyme [The Generous Mr. Lovewell] (2010)". Christian Music Review. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d e f Shadrix, Theresa (May 27, 2010). "MercyMe's latest album brings fictional character to life". The Alabama Baptist. Alabama Baptist Convention. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e McNeese, Kevin. "The Generous Mr. Lovewell by MercyMe Christian CD Book Reviews". NewReleaseTuesday.com. NRT Media. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
- ^ Davis, Kevin (May 17, 2010). "#114 – "All of Creation" by MercyMe". New Release Tuesday. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
- ^ Davis, Kevin (March 9, 2011). "#195 – "Beautiful" by MercyMe". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
- ^ "Latest Reviews". CCM Magazine. Archived from the original on May 6, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ Greer, Andrew (May 4, 2010). "The Generous Mr. Lovewell". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ Cummings, Tony (May 11, 2010). "Review: The Generous Mr. Lovewell". Cross Rhythms. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ a b c Gelwicks, Roger (May 1, 2010). "MercyMe, "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
- Plugged In. Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (May 7, 2010). "Listen Up: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony reunite in 'Uni-5'". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ "Full 2011 Billboard Music Awards Finalists List". Billboard. April 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 1, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ Bennett, Jenny (February 15, 2011). "42nd Annual GMA Dove Award Nominees". GMC TV. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Price, Deborah Evans (April 3, 2010). "All You Need is Love". Billboard. Vol. 122, no. 22. p. 30. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Newsboys Make Headlines; Sting's Classical Tour". Billboard. Vol. 122, no. 30. July 31, 2010. p. 37. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "The Generous Mr. Lovewell – MercyMe". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
- ^ a b Caulfield, Keith; Pietroluongo, Silvio (May 20, 2010). "Chart Moves: Lady Gaga, 'Glee,' Usher, Eminem and More". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ "Christian Albums". Billboard.biz. May 22, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ a b "Christian Albums – Best of 2010". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 31, 2010. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
- ^ a b "Year-end Christian Albums (2011)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
- ^ a b "2012 Year End Charts - Christian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ a b "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved April 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "RIAA - Certification Criteria". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ^ "Happy 'ALL OF CREATION' Day!". MercyMe. March 2, 2010. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Christian Songs". Billboard.biz. April 17, 2010. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. March 20, 2010. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ "Billboard Christian Songs – Best of 2010". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 31, 2010. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
- ^ a b "Chart History – Christian Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 14, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
- ^ "Christian Songs". Billboard.biz. September 9, 2011. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. September 3, 2011. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- All Media Guide. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. May 22, 2004. Archived from the original on September 3, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ "Christian Albums". Billboard. May 22, 2004. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ "Catalog Albums". Billboard. April 21, 2012. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ "Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
- ^ "Hot Singles Sales". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. March 27, 2010. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 – Best of 2010". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 31, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2011.