Kirk FranklinThe title of Kirk Franklin’s twelfth CD, Hello Fear, could just as easily be Goodbye Fear.
Straightaway, in the opening title track, Franklin and his impressive body of top-notch singers bid a confident farewell to fear – “never again will I love you” – and hello to “a new love”: grace. Like the “Never Alone” motif, this moment of spiritual transformation is the album’s bloodstream.
The Us vs. Fear struggle includes fear of dying, fear of trying, and the Fear that currently paralyzes the world. At one point, Franklin recites with head-shaking disbelief some of the pandemic fears: lack of health insurance, unemployment, recession, poverty. In assent, Franklin’s singers “cry out for the world” on “Everyone Hurts,” but they agree that hurt will not last always. The battle is the Lord’s, after all, and it is through the blood of Jesus that we will be healed. The transcendent second part of “The Moment” puts any argument on this subject to rest.
Other songs on Hello Fear confirm this message. “I Am,” the first single, is a melodic and harmonic ballad about man’s journey from human imperfection to divine perfection through Jesus. “Today” is an anthemic, hand-waving, Jonah club-ready selection declaring that it is time to toss away fear and pursue one’s dreams…by giving the Almighty the steering wheel. The current single, “I Smile,” is as carefree as fresh air and reminds the listener that smiling through tears is itself therapeutic.
Hello Fear is cohesive in its variability of sound. Selections such as “Before I Die” feature the bouncy, sassy, “you know it when you hear it” Franklin style, the one that fills portable mp3 devices from California to Caledonia and that many gospel groups have labored to emulate for 20 years. “Give Me,” however, has a hip hop vibe, courtesy of Mali Music, who enters into a fine duet with Franklin on the track.
Five of Five Stars
Picks: “I Smile,” “The Altar,” “Everyone Hurts.”
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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Great review! I’m really excited for this album to drop, “I Smile” is a great gospel jam and I’ve been looking forward to Hello Fear since I heard the first single. Already preordered my copy on itunes :) Here’s the link if ya’ll are interested http://bit.ly/fp2Fvp
“The Altar” blew me away. This song will survive the test of time and will probably be song by every gospel choir that hears it. It has not been given any radio play because everyone is playing “I Smile.” But, once you hear “The Altar” you are just going to fall in love with it!
I have listened to this CD over and over again. It really has a big impact on my life. I really took out the time to listen to the words and wow..it touch my soul. It also help me to start back writing about my life.
I so much enjoy the production value of Kirk Franklins
music. The crisp and tight vocals are refreshing to listen
to as there’s always inspirational messages to digest….I recently heard a similar high powered production with a little old school feel on a new group “Operation Faith” singing “Rejoicing in Heaven” very nice too..