Music Inspired By the Story

This album (released in conjunction with the book series The Story) attempts to interpret the Old and New Testaments in two CDs’ worth of songs and features the compositions of veteran singer/songwriters Nichole Nordeman and Bernie Herms as interpreted by such stellar Christian artists as Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall, MercyMe’s Bart Millard, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant, and Steven Curtis Chapman. The music has a sweeping, cinematic feel, with forays into guitar-fueled rock (“No Compromise,” sung by Peter Furler) and twang-filled country (“Move in Me,” performed by Jeremy Camp) adding balance to this ballad-oriented set. Each track works to advance the dramatic narrative flow from the first moments of creation to Christ’s second coming. Standouts include Matthew West and Leigh Nash’s wide-eyed duet as Adam and Eve in “Good,” Todd Smith’s heroic interpretation of Job in “Broken Praise,” Francesca Barttistelli’s tender portrayal of Mary in “Be Born in Me,” and Mac Powell’s commanding embodiment of Jesus’ message in “When Love Sees You.”