By RTF Staff Writer Shannon Meiers

WARNING: LISTENING TO THE FOLLOWING ALBUM MAY RESULT IN GETTING LYRICS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD, BURSTING INTO SUDDEN HORRIBLE DANCING, AND THE URGE TO SING AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!

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Recently, I had the good fortune to hear The After’s new CD, Light Up The Sky.

The title track was already well known to me, as I’m sure it is to all of you, as well. “Light Up the Sky” has been played on numerous Christian radio station, and is a wonderful reminder of the power of God that is so close to us. Even though we may often feel alone in this world, we will always have the Savior of the world sitting right next to us.

When the night is closing in,

it’s falling on my skin,

Oh God would you come close?…..

You light, light, light up the sky,

You light up the sky to show me

you are with me….”

(The video is incredible too!)

The next track is Lift Me Up means a lot to me, because it mentions the love of God always being there when you feel like giving up. When you feel inadequate. So many good things can happen when you let go of your desire to run your own life and just give it all to God, and this song is a beautiful rendition of that truth.

Start Over is certified guaranteed to get you moving!  I wanted to start grooving when I first heard this song! I am literally belting it out at the top of my lungs right now….. (Good thing I’m home alone.)  “If you fall on your face, don’t just leave it to fate, no such thing as too late, so start over,  start over” The lyrics of this song are powerful, because when we fail even once, we think; “okay, that’s it. God couldn’t possibly love me anymore. I’m done here.” This song teaches that the opposite is true.

My all-time favorite on this album is number 8, We Won’t Give Up. It is by far the most catchy song on the whole album. A close personal second for me would be the next song Saving Grace, a wonderful song about trusting God and his wonderful grace in the toughest moments of life.

The last song on this album, For the First Time, wraps up this project well with a tune that you won’t be able to get out of your head no matter how hard you try! “I can breathe for the first time……You’ve opened up my eyes, and I can see, for the first time…”

Overall, this is a fantastic CD. If you like bands such as casting crowns, and singers like Chris Tomlin, this will be a fantastic worshipping experience for you. Some of these lyrics were just what I needed to hear, and I can’t get them out of my head!

Shannon’s rating: 5/5 stars

Shannon is a high school sophomore who is deeply passionate about making a difference for Christ. She is involved with the special needs’ ministry in her church, but she’s the one who feels like she’s learning through it.