Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
No matter what you think of the subject matter to found within Cody McCarver’s latest soul bearing offering, The Lord’s Will, there can be no denying that musically it is a great listen. Regardless of what your views on religion are, your views on certain aspects of faith and conviction are; what devotion you may bring to the table in offer, there are at times moments in life when to hear somebody pour their heart into producing something so delicate can be a little humbling. Whether you believe in a power beyond your recognition is not up for debate but you sometimes do have to listen to somebody else view or way of life to understand that your own particular road is not seen the same from even those you may call friends or lovers.
The Dunlap, Tennessee born musician had a life changing event in the April of 2013, his father, who had been serving time in prison, suddenly passed away. Through his faith, Cody McCarver has produced an album that seeks to ask questions and answer some of his own ponderings to the events of his life and his own thoughts of his father’s incarceration in an American jail.
The Lord’s Will features six new songs written by Cody McCarver and all have that great Country and Western slang indelibly stamped throughout it but with the subtle twist of Gospel contemplation placed deep within its passionate belly. The former Confederate Railroad member’s music will no doubt confuse those who like to have their genres easily defined but this is one man’s meditations infused for a love that many will ignore, not understand or even give grief to. Irrespective of your belief, you can’t place your attitude upon to his. The songs are touching, they play with time lost and broken, of relationships fractured because of mistakes and in songs such as the album title track, Through God’s Eyes, Leaning On the Everlasting Arms, Hey God and Way Fairing Stranger, the disciple of Country makes his life one perhaps easier to bear.
It takes perhaps great resolve to make an album such as The Lord’s Will, the motivation understandably clear and delivered with great promise and ambition. A triumph over adversity – who knows? However a vibrant addition to the world of Gospel inspired lyrics wrapped up in the gentle arms of Country is perhaps no bad thing.
The Lord’s Will by Cody McCarver is released on April 28th 2014.
Ian D. Hall