Martha Munizzi – Best Days

Martha Munizzi
Best Days
Martha Munizzi Music (release date: July 29, 2021)
www.marthamunizzi.com

By Robert M. Marovich

Martha Munizzi’s latest live album, Best Days, is a well-orchestrated worship service that focuses on the reasons to celebrate, not worry, in the midst of today’s uncertainty.

The paradox of joy in the midst of a raging storm permeates the project—after all, the album was recorded in November 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. It’s also the ultimate test of faith, Munizzi teaches, in songs that are energetic and pop-inflected with beefy instrumental flourishes. She assumes pastoral authority, exhorting during songs, encouraging the live audience between selections, and keeping the overall mood positive and the energy flowing.

The title track is the album’s finest cut and arguably Munizzi’s best single in years. Eschewing the conventional P&W melodic structure, “Best Days” is bright, original, and engaging, with compelling work by the background singers and strong vocals from daughters Danielle and Nicole. Nicole’s angelic voice is also heard leading “Everything You Do,” a song which argues that even the pain of struggle is a blessing. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

For her part, Danielle leads an appropriately buoyant and island-flavored ode of gratitude called “Grateful.” It presages the sound of Latin brass that lifts to life the closing song, “Glorious 2.0.” On the simpler side of the spectrum is “Worthy,” its melody and lyrics sounding straight outta Sunday School.

In addition to Danielle and Nicole, husband Dan serves as executive producer and son Nathan runs sound for the live program, recorded at the Munizzi’s EpicLife Church in Winter Park, Florida. David Outing is producer and co-wrote the songs with Martha.

Best Days is Martha Munizzi and Family bringing their characteristic cheery optimism to Praise & Worship. It will please Martha’s fan base and the “Best Days” single may well add a few to the number.

Four of Five Stars

Pick: “Best Days”