I have loved Derek's music since Caedmon's. I feel a distance though with this last album. I can hear his truth in many songs but, "I wanna read the Bible and I want to make out"?(song: I want to marry you all over agin ) Although relevant in his life, I don't want to drive to work and sing that weekly. At what point does artistic freedom overlap the call of God in an artist?

Derek's music has been amazing for my walk with Jesus. It's like his music is deep and not surfacy "Light the Fire" type songs. He sings about real issues and real subjects that the world today is dealing with. He doesn't sugarcoat the truth of the gospel, but he tells it fiercely and boldly. I love how the Lord is using him and will continue to use him in my life as well as in the life of other believers.

I had a chance to sit and talk with Derek about this album last year and hear his heart about what is going on in "American Christianity". This album is likely to ruffle more than feathers, but still stir our hearts to be bent constantly towards our Beautiful Lover and Saviour, Christ. May He always be seen as beautiful! and thank you, Derek for pointing us always heavenward!

Derek has a lot on his heart and uses his songs as the vehicle for his message. With "I See Things Upside Down", however, the vehicle looks a little bit different from Derek's past discs. It is a somewhat schitzophrenic journey from anthem to classic rockish ballad. Lot's of droning organs, electric guitars, old-timey piano, about quadruple the number and variety of instruments. Think the sound of U2, Beatles, Rolling Stones, with the message of a modern day John the Baptist. It's a welcome experiment in a new style that quite possibley may rub pure acoustic singer/songwriter fans the wrong way. But it's still worth the purchase just to study the lyric sheet.

This song: Nobody Loves Me, you know the church is not ready to hear the truth about itself. They are ready to TELL it but; not HEAR it about themselves. Derek Webb must be the HEARING AID for the church, I love his songs because they tell the truth swept under the rug.

I just received my copy in the mail (about a couple hours ago), and listened to the whole thing straight! All I can say is WOW! Such an awesome CD! I almost felt like I was there watching him in concert...Derek Webb has such a genuine heart for God...One of the best cds of the year!

Derek's solo album "She Must and Shall Go Free" is awesome, but with this album you get the message behind the music. If this was simply a CD of Derek teaching it would be worth the cost, but with the incredible music on this disc, it's worth more than just money. Solid Gold. A+

So many people had the opportunity to catch Derek on tour this last year, and the really lucky ones went to one of the house shows. It was in this intimate setting where fellowship really happened, and Christ really spoke to young people (mostly college students). Derek is an amazing man of God, and a true student of the Scriptures-- this is very apparent in his music, which is showcased so nicely in his new album- The House Show. You can't get away without joining in this experience.

The House Show CD is a near replication of what my actual living room house concert by Derek was like. The acoustic version of Wedding Dress is stunning and hard-hitting as ever, and the bare-bones version of the Caedmon's Call hit "This World" is performed with a heartfelt longing for something more than this world can offer. Derek's teaching is bold and direct, never compromising the gospel he preaches. And you won't want to miss his performance of the Bob Dylan classic, Every Grain of Sand.

This album is mature musically, lyrically, and spiritually. Derek demonstrates a knowledge of the Truth that many artists sidestep. The album speaks plainly to a Church that needs a wakeup call to its identity. I believe Derek has answered a call from God to produce this exquisite disc.