Live Forever (Matthew West album)

Live Forever
Studio album by Matthew West
Released April 28, 2015 (2015-04-28)
Genre Contemporary Christian music
Length 42:47
Label Sparrow, Capitol CMG
Matthew West chronology
Into the Light
(2012)		 Live Forever
(2015)

Live Forever is the sixth studio album by Matthew West. Sparrow Records alongside Capitol Christian Music Group released the album on April 28, 2015.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
365 Days of Inspiring Media[1]
CCM Magazine[2]
Christian Music Review3.9/5[3]
Christian Review Magazine[4]
CM Addict[5]
Cross Rhythms[6]
Jesus Freak Hideout[7]
[8]
Jesus Wired[9]
Louder Than the Music[10]
New Release Tuesday[11]
The Sound Opinion[12]

Grace S. Aspinwall, awarding the album four and a half stars at CCM Magazine, writes, "Ever the intricate storyteller, Matthew West rarely disappoints. Live Forever follows suit and is even more moving and content rich than his most recent offerings, which is saying a lot ... West up's the ante and has sonically delivered his best performances to date ... The overall strength of this album more-than overshadows even the slightest bobble ... and know that this new batch will easily become staples both on-air [and] onstage."[2] In a three and a half star review by Jesus Freak Hideout, Mark Rice describes, "Those getting Live Forever ought to know that it won't be West's best album yet, but it is nothing that a Matthew West fan (or any CCM fan for that matter) would ever truly dislike."[7] Christopher Smith, writing in a three star review for Jesus Freak Hideout, states, "Despite its flaws, Live Forever is an enjoyable album and will surely be an encouragement to many listeners. But if you are looking for an innovative pop/rock album, you'd be better off with the recent releases from Kevin Max or Mat Kearney."[8] In a five star review from New Release Tuesday, Caitlin Lassiter replies, "Each song captivated [her] attention and drew [her] in at first listen, making Live Forever an album to be kept on constant repeat."[11] DeWayne Hamby, reviewing the album for Charisma, writes, "[With] Live Forever,...West encourages listeners to forget the mistakes of their past, trust in the grace of God and focus on living life abundantly...Listeners will certainly find spiritual encouragement and kinship in West's lyrics and enjoy this well-produced collection of new musical offerings".[13]

Chris Cason, giving the album an eight out of ten for Cross Rhythms, writes, "The middle section of the album focuses on grace with some tracks that are truly beautiful lyrically and with strong melodies. Sadly the flow of the album does seem to lose its way in the latter stages."[6] Awarding the album four and a half stars at 365 Days of Inspiring Media, Jonathan Andre states, "a well-rounded musical performance".[1] Laura Chambers, in a 3.9 out of five review by Christian Music Review, says, "Live Forever catches us by the heart and corrects our vision so we can take perhaps our first glimpse of God’s perspective on our lives."[3] Awarding the album five stars for CM Addict, Julia Kitzing writes, "this is another wonderful album by Matthew - full of songs about real life."[5] Lindsay Williams, awarding the album three stars for The Sound Opinion, says, "Live Forever celebrates not only the length, but the depth of everlasting life, and every song proves West has become a master storyteller."[12] Rating the album eight and a half stars at Jesus Wired, Rebekah Joy writes, "Live forever is an incredible album which will be heard by many".[9] Writing for Christian Review Magazine, Christian St. John rating the album four and a half stars, describes, "Live Forever is another excellent release from this very talented singer-songwriter."[4] Rich Smith, awarding the album four stars at Louder Than the Music. writes, "The songs flow well together and the album sounds brilliant."[10]

Track listing

Standard edition[14]
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Live Forever"    3:17
2. "Day One"  Matthew West, Pete Kipley 3:29
3. "The List"    4:26
4. "World Changers"    3:51
5. "Grace Wins"  West 4:24
6. "Tryin'"    3:12
7. "Mended"    3:50
8. "Anything Is Possible"    3:05
9. "Born for This"    3:49
10. "Oh, Me of Little Faith"    3:43
11. "Heaven Is the Hope"    5:40
Total length:
 42:47

Chart performance

Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[16] 51
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[17] 1

References

  1. 1 2 Andre, Jonathan (May 9, 2015). "Matthew West – Live Forever". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Aspinwall, Grace S. (May 15, 2015). "Matthew West: Live Forever". CCM Magazine. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Chambers, Laura (April 27, 2015). "Matthew West 'Live Forever'". Christian Music Review. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  4. 1 2 St. John, Christian (April 29, 2015). "Music Review: "Live Forever" by Matthew West". Christian Review Magazine. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Kitzing, Julia (March 30, 2015). "Matthew West "Live Forever" (Review)". CM Addict. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Cason, Chris (June 21, 2015). "Review: Live Forever - Matthew West". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Rice, Mark (April 27, 2015). "Matthew West, "Live Forever" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Smith, Christopher (March 28, 2015). "Matthew West, "Live Forever" Review – Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Joy, Rebekah (April 23, 2015). "Matthew West's New Album Will "Live Forever" In Listener's Hearts And Minds". Jesus Wired. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Smith, Rich (June 8, 2015). "Matthew West - Live Forever". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  11. 1 2 Lassiter, Caitlin (April 16, 2012). "Long Live the Storytellers". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Williams, Lindsay (April 28, 2015). "REVIEW: Matthew West, Live Forever". The Sound Opinion. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  13. ↑ Hamby, DeWayne (July 1, 2015). LeClaire, Jennifer, ed. "Music: Live Forever - Matthew West (Capitol Christian Music Group)". Charisma. Vol. 40 no. 12 (Lake Mary, Florida: Stephen Strang, Joy Strang and Dr. Steve Greene). p. 62. ISSN 0895-156X. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  14. ↑ "iTunes (U.S.) - Music - Matthew West - Live Forever". iTunes (U.S.). April 28, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  15. ↑ "iTunes (U.S.) - Music - Matthew West - Live Forever (Deluxe Edition)". iTunes (U.S.). April 28, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Matthew West – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Matthew West. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Matthew West – Chart history" Billboard Christian Albums for Matthew West. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
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