For the Sake of the Call Music

Average Rating:

The opening track, "For the Sake Of the Call," is aesthetically one of the more beautiful songs he has ever recorded. Excellent sonics and production values, including a perfectly adjusted background choir, team up with a more polished pop style that still featured Chapman's acoustic roots but was clearly more accessible and glossy than anything found on MORE TO THIS LIFE. Lyrically, the song contained one of Chapman's more radical messages, telling us that devotion and obedience to Christ was to be done "not for the sake of a creed or a cause / not for a dream or a promise / simply because it is Jesus who calls / and if we believe we'll obey." CCM Magazine's reviewer at the time questioned whether Chapman was over-simplifying and romanticizing the Christian walk, but I tend to think the message was dead-on, as its point dealt with our motivation and reasoning, not the other aspects of our walk.

"Lost In the Shadow" remains perhaps my favorite Steven Curtis song to this day. With its simple bass groove, creating a lush and almost 80's-ish atmosphere slightly reminiscent of Richard Marx, Chapman sings a lyric that could go hand-in-hand with the title track: "whatever it costs, to find myself lost / in the shadow of the cross." The track "When You Are A Soldier" was a follow-up to "I Will Be Here," as it equated marriage to a battle and declared that "I'll be your friend if you win / or if you're defeated / whenever you need me I will be here." Another highlight, that has now become a concert favorite, is "No Better Place."

The underlying strength of this project is in the songwriting. Every track stands out as exceptional in depth and lack of over-simplicity or cliche. One of the strongest moments is in "Blind Lead the Blind," which recognizes the cycle of a God-less Gospel, and Truth-less curriculum, being fed to and repeated by those who will not or cannot discover the real Truth on their own. It closes with a warning: "This is a dangerous time / and the truth can be hard to find / so let His word light your way / and guard every step you take." Perhaps the closest to Keith Green or Steve Camp territory that Chapman has ever approached.

MORE TO THIS LIFE was a triumph, but on FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL he stepped it up both with his pen and in the studio. His music sounded more professional and slick than ever, and while some may have lamented the absence of a more overtly acoustic sound the roots were still firmly planted. This album, and its closing reprise, set the stage for what would be his greatest musical "adventure" yet, on his next project. Yet on its own merits it is a clear high point in Chapman's pinnacle-filled career, and a must-own for any of his fans. Four and a half stars.