Artist: Capture Me
Album: Joe Henschel
Year: 2008
Label: {L}istener Records
Website: http://www.farewelldown.com/fwd/index2.html
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/joehenschelmusic
Twitter: @joehenschel
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
Sounds Like: Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Switchfoot, Jars Of Clay, Keane, Coldplay, Copeland, Charlie Hall y Phil Wickham, Sarah MacIntosh, Luna Halo, Trevor Davis, Brad Hooks, Steven Curtis Chapman, Delirious?, Matt Redman, Paul Baloche, Oasis, Travis, Robbie Seay Band, Jimmy Eat World, Farewell Down, Jason Morant, Shane & Shane, Brenton Brown, Eoghan Heaslip, Michael W. Smith
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

Next to the breakup of the band Farewell Down, singer/songwriter/worship leader Joe Henschel was already writing his own songs. After signing with {L}istener Records, the sound of Joe was defined and constructed with influences from Chris Tomlin, Jars Of Clay, Coldplay and Copeland. The result of this process is called “Capture Me”; produced by Jonathan MacIntosh (Sarah MacIntosh, Luna Halo, Trevor Davis), the album contains 10 wonderful songs of praise with the conviction of reaching the lost with an open and humble mind.

The first single “My Heart Speaks” reached the #5 position in Christian Radio Weekly’s Top 100. Strong influences of Steven Curtis Chapman, an acoustic sound from the beginning that marvels at the qualities of God, the mystery of his love: “My heart speaks of a mystery of you / And all that you do my Jesus”. With a fresh, light melody, sublime guitar and strings, “Grace Falls” celebrates the unconditional redemption of God, his immeasurable grace, and the beauty that surrounds us: “Grace falls from you with mercy and truth / You are the Love I trust in / Beauty surrounds you / Your love covers every part of me / It covers me”. It reminds me to Robbie Seay Band and Phil Wickham in simpler facet. With features like Oasis and Travis, the upbeat “Jesus You’re My Victory” reminds us that in the midst of our weakness, when darkness descends on us, Christ is our victory: “You’ve over come my sorrow / You’ve paid the fatal Price / You’ve captured me with mercy / My soul declares your might”. This song was also written with Brad Hooks, who will be outlining below. The cry of the Church is heard in “You Never Let Go”, a cover of Matt Redman, showing Henschel’s wide vocal range, masterfully playing this classic: “And I will fear no evil / For my God is with me / And if my God is with me / Whom then shall I fear? / Whom then shall I fear?”. The intense silence “Sweet Breath Of God” sounds like a sincere prayer hearing the sweet melody and the simplicity of acoustic guitar, who pours his heart into every sentence: “Help me to run to you despite what I’m going through / Help me to cling to what you have for me / You are Lovely”. This time the album leans toward Chris Tomlin, Paul Baloche, in a transparent composition. Similarly, “Creation Cries Out” reminds me of Wickham and Tomlin, a song of praise that focuses on declare his holiness. The harmonies are perfect and the lyrics, just inspiring, passionate: “You hold the stars in your hand / Creation cries out at your command / Forever your love is pure / Forever your grace it will endure”. The second remake comes from the hand of “Majesty”, originally by Delirious? but this time with a more acoustic and mainstream atmosphere that easily becomes a Christian hymn: “Now I’ve found the greatest love of all is mine / Since you laid down your life / The greatest sacrifice”. Then we find Henschel standing under the stars, begging God to shine upon him: “You hold my heart in the palm of your presence / You draw me near every time I am distant / You call my name in the night that is falling / You take my hand in the light of your glory”. Coldplay brushstrokes and an eloquent harmony in the chorus. “Sing Your Song” is complicated. It begins with a musical interlude of nearly a minute length, filled of guitars, booming drums and a subliminal choir hummed. But then the music is interrupted with Henschel’s voice and a gentle hum that whispers: “You’re beautiful you blow my mind, I give it all to you tonight”. Finally, the titletrack “Capture Me” enchants us with his magical musical structure and lyrical melodies that asks God: “Capture me with mercy / Capture me with Grace / Hold my head up softly / To Your arms embrace / You are God in heaven / The only one I seek / You amaze me”. It reminds us that God has chosen to pursue us, before we do it Him. A thousand voices angelic chorus concludes this heavenly symphony.

Joe Henschel capture us with this collection of amazing songs, with a fresh and honest sound that lets you spread your wings and fly. “Capture Me” has the right elements for success in congregations and in contemporary worship, capturing souls for the kingdom of heaven.

Trás de la separación de la banda Farewell Down, el cantante/compositor/líder de alabanza Joe Henschel ya estaba escribiendo sus propias canciones. Luego de firmar con {L}istener Records, el sonido de Joe ya estaba definido y se construía con influencias de Chris Tomlin, Jars Of Clay, Coldplay y Copeland. El resultado de todo ese proceso se llama “Capture Me”; producido por Jonathan MacIntosh (Sarah MacIntosh, Luna Halo, Trevor Davis), el álbum contiene 10 maravillosas canciones de alabanza con la convicción de alcanzar a los perdidos con un espíritu abierto y humilde.

El primer sencillo del álbum “My Heart Speaks” llegó a posicionarse en el #5 del Top 100 de Christian Radio Weekly. Fuertes influencias de Steven Curtis Chapman, un sonido acústico desde el principio que se maravilla por las cualidades de Dios, del misterio de su amor: “My heart speaks of a mystery of you / And all that you do my Jesus”. Con una fresca y ligera melodía, sublimes guitarras y cuerdas, “Grace Falls” celebra la incondicional redención de Dios, su gracia inmensurable, y la belleza de nos rodea: “Grace falls from you with mercy and truth / You are the Love I trust in / Beauty surrounds you / Your love covers every part of me / It covers me”.  Me recuerda a Robbie Seay Band y Phil Wickham en una faceta más simple. Con rasgos de Oasis y Travis, la impulsadora “Jesus You’re My Victory” nos recuerda que en medio de nuestra debilidad, cuando la oscuridad desciende a nosotros, Cristo es nuestra victoria: “You’ve over come my sorrow / You’ve paid the fatal Price / You’ve captured me with mercy / My soul declares your might”. Esta canción además fue escrita junto a Brad Hooks, de quién más adelante estaremos reseñando. El clamor de la Iglesia se oye en “You Never Let Go”, cover de Matt Redman, que muestra el amplio rango vocal Henschel, interpretando magistralmente este clásico: “And I will fear no evil / For my God is with me / And if my God is with me / Whom then shall I fear? / Whom then shall I fear?”. La intensamente silenciosa “Sweet Breath Of God” se escucha como una oración sincera, al escuchar la dulce melodía y la simpleza de la guitarra acústica, que derrama su corazón en cada frase: “Help me to run to you despite what I’m going through / Help me to cling to what you have for me / You are Lovely”. Esta vez el álbum se inclina hacia Chris Tomlin y Paul Baloche, en una transparente composición. Del mismo modo, “Creation Cries Out” me recuerda a Wickham y Tomlin, en un canto de alabanza que se centra en declarar la santidad de Cristo. Las armonás son perfectas y la lírica, simplemente inspiradora, apasionada: “You hold the stars in your hand / Creation cries out at your command / Forever your love is pure / Forever your grace it will endure”. El segundo remake viene de la mano de “Majesty”, original de Delirious? pero esta vez con una atmósfera más acústica y mainstream que fácilmente se convierte en un himno cristiano: “Now I’ve found the greatest love of all is mine / Since you laid down your life / The greatest sacrifice”. Luego, nos encontramos a Henschel parado bajo las estrellas, pidiéndole a Dios que brille sobre él: “You hold my heart in the palm of your presence / You draw me near every time I am distant / You call my name in the night that is falling / You take my hand in the light of your glory”. Pinceladas de Coldplay y una elocuente harmonía en el coro. “Sing Your Song” es complicada. Comienza con un interludio musical de casi un minuto, lleno de guitarras, resonante tambores, y un subliminal coro tarareado. Pero luego la música se interrumpe con la voz de Henschel y un suave zumbido que nos susurra: “You’re beautiful you blow my mind, I give it all to you tonight”. Por último, el titletrack “Capture Me”, nos encanta con su mágica estructura musical, sus melodías y lírica que le pide a Dios: “Capture me with mercy / Capture me with Grace / Hold my head up softly / To Your arms embrace / You are God in heaven / The only one I seek / You amaze me”. Nos recuerda que Dios ha elegido perseguirnos, antes de que nosotros a Él. Un coro angelical de mil voces concluye esta sinfonía celestial.

Joe Henschel nos captura con esta colección de sorprendentes canciones, con un sonido fresco y honesto que te permite extender tus alas y volar. “Capture Me” posee los elementos perfectos para ser un éxito en las congregaciones y en la adoración contemporánea, capturando almas para el reino celestial.