Hymns That Are Important to Us

Hymns That Are Important to Us
Studio album by Joey + Rory
Released	February 12, 2016
Genre	Christian country
Length	41:47
Label	Gaither
Producer	Rory Lee Feek Joe West[1]
Joey + Rory chronology
Country Classics: A Tapestry of Our Musical Heritage (2014) Hymns That Are Important to Us (2016)

Hymns That Are Important to Us is the seventh and final studio album by Joey + Rory. Gaither Music Group released the album on February 12, 2016.

Background

The set, which was a "dream project" for Joey Feek, consists of twelve covers of religious hymns, plus a reprise of "When I'm Gone," which was first featured on the duo's His and Hers album in 2012. Some proceeds of the album's deluxe edition will go towards the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation, a charity selected by Joey Feek in honor of her daughter's friend who has Loeys-Dietz syndrome.^[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
CCM Magazine	[3]
Digital Journal	[4]
Today's Christian Entertainment	[5]

Awarding the album four and a half stars at CCM Magazine, Matt Conner writes, "In what they knew would be their final musical release, Joey + Rory have made another inspiring and courageous statement with Hymns That Are Important to Us."^[3] Kelly Meade, giving the album four and a half stars from Today's Christian Entertainment, states, "As you listen to this album, you can hear the honest, joyful spirit in Joey’s voice as she sings these familiar favorites. Rory lends supportive harmonies that compliment his wife’s heartfelt tone. The music is beautifully arranged allowing these timeless classics to shine."^[5] Giving the album five stars from Digital Journal, Markos Papadatos describes, "it is absolutely fantastic from start to finish...Joey and Rory are excellent on their latest studio album, Hymns. They manage to make a superb connection with the hearts of their listeners."^[4]

Reviewing the album for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Erik Ernst says, "In a transition that often makes us wallow in the grief of loss, Joey Feek instead offers hope as a lasting gift for those she will likely soon leave behind."^[6] Andrew Greenhalgh, penning a review at Soul-Audio, describes, "Joey + Rory’s Hymns That Are Important To Us is a powerhouse of a listen that tells a heartfelt story. And while this story is unique to Joey and Rory, it’s ultimately one that resonates with us all, exploring pain, loss, fear head on and finding hope, grace, and forgiveness in the faith of Christ. It’s alternately humble and hard hitting and is well worth listening to time and time again."^[7] Writing a review from Hallels, Timothy Yap concludes, "This album is not just important to the Feeks, but they are important to us too."^[8]

Commercial performance

Hymns That Are Important to Us debuted at number one on the Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums charts and number four on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of 68,000 copies, making the album Joey + Rory's highest-charting effort and best sales week to date.^[9] In its second week, the album dropped to number two on the country album chart and sold an additional 37,000 copies.^[10] It again topped the Country Albums chart in its fourth week, with 44,000 copies sold, with a total of 182,000 copies sold in the the US.^[11] The album has sold 339,500 copies in the US as of May 2016.^[12]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Take My Hand, Precious Lord"	2:54
2.	"I Surrender All"	3:07
3.	"He Touched Me"	3:20
4.	"Softly and Tenderly"	2:41
5.	"Jesus Loves Me"	2:26
6.	"It Is Well with My Soul"	3:15
7.	"The Old Rugged Cross"	2:46
8.	"I Need Thee Every Hour"	3:27
9.	"How Great Thou Art"	3:38
10.	"I'll Fly Away"	3:56
11.	"Jesus Paid It All"	3:16
12.	"Suppertime"	3:06
13.	"When I'm Gone" (Bonus Track)	3:55
Total length:		41:47

Chart performance

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[13]	40
US Billboard 200[14]	4
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[15]	1
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[16]	1

References

1. "Album Spotlight: Joey + Rory, ‘Hymns That Are Important to Us’". Taste of Country. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
2. Stefano, Angela (January 12, 2016). "Joey + Rory Announce ‘Hymns That Are Important to Us’ Deluxe Edition". The Boot. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
3. Conner, Matt (January 15, 2016). "Joey + Rory – ‘Hymns That Are Important to Us’ album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
4. Papadatos, Markos (February 20, 2016). "Review: Joey + Rory amazing on new 'Hymns' studio album". Digital Journal. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
5. Meade, Kelly (January 31, 2016). "Joey + Rory 'Hymns That Are Important to Us'". Today's Christian Entertainment. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
6. Ernst, Erik (February 12, 2016). "New releases from Future, Joey + Rory, Cloud Cult, more". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
7. Greenhalgh, Andrew (February 15, 2016). "Review: Joey + Rory – Hymns That Are Important To Us". Soul-Audio. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
8. Yap, Timothy (January 31, 2016). "Joey + Rory Feek “Hymns that Are Important to Us” Album Review". Hallels. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
9. Jim Asker (February 23, 2016). "Joey + Rory's Bittersweet 'Hymns' Debuts at No. 1 on Top Country Albums Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
10. Bjorke, Matt (March 1, 2016). "Country Albums Chart Report: March 1, 2016". Roughstock.
11. Bjorke, Matt (March 15, 2016). "Country Albums Chart Report: March 15, 2016". Roughstock.
12. Bjorke, Matt (May 2, 2016). "Country Album Charts: Week Of May 2, 2016". Roughstock.
13. "Joey + Rory – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Joey + Rory. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
14. "Joey + Rory – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Joey + Rory. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
15. "Joey + Rory – Chart history" Billboard Christian Albums for Joey + Rory. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
16. "Joey + Rory – Chart history" Billboard Top Country Albums for Joey + Rory. Retrieved February 23, 2016.