Wikipedia

These Simple Truths

These Simple Truths is the first major-label studio album by the Contemporary Christian music band Sidewalk Prophets. It was released by Word Records on August 25, 2009. It features the hit radio singles "The Words I Would Say" and "You Love Me Anyway."

These Simple Truths
Studio album by
Sidewalk Prophets
ReleasedAugust 25, 2009
Studio
GenreChristian pop
Length40:49
LabelWord/Curb
ProducerIan Eskelin
Sidewalk Prophets chronology
These Simple Truths
(2009) 		Live Like That
(2012)
Deluxe Edition Cover
Singles from These Simple Truths
  1. "The Words I Would Say"
    Released: June 19, 2009
  2. "You Can Have Me"
    Released: 2010
  3. "You Love Me Anyway"
    Released: February 25, 2011

"The Words I Would Say" is featured on the Christian music compilation albums WOW Hits 2010 and WOW Hits 2011.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Christian Music Review     [1][2]
Cross Rhythms     [3]
Jesus Freak Hideout     [4]
Louder Than The Music     [5]
Praise Charts     [6]

Christian Music Review's Kevin Davis said, "this is a very solid debut album and fans of Rascal Flatts, 33Miles and Julian Drive will greatly enjoy Sidewalk Prophets."[1][2] He considered it "one of the best debut albums I’ve heard this year."[1][2]

Cross Rhythms' Paul Kerslake said, "this is full of catchy, poignant and impacting songs... an essential release".[3]

Jesus Freak Hideout's Scott Fryberger said, "It's safe to say that Sidewalks Prophets have an album on their hands that will be fairly popular on AC radio. Just about every song has 'hit song' potential."[4] Furthermore, Fryberger wrote that the album "is happy, encouraging and, overall, not too shabby. At times, the lyrics lack in songwriting quality, but definitely not in substance. A good recommendation for fans of any of the aforementioned bands, or Christian hit radio in general."[4]

Louder Than The Music Suzanne Physick said, "while some may shun this album for its lack of creativity, those who just appreciate good music and honest beautifully written sentiments will love this new offering from a truly great band."[5] She cited "Show Me How to Love", "You Love Me Anyway" and "You Will Never Leave Me" as the standout songs.[5]

Praise Charts CMSpin said, "Whether you like your music up tempo in the pop/rock vein, or piano driven and melodic, you'll be very satisfied after listening to the music that's found on These Simple Truths."[6] Plus, CMSpin called the 'Favorite Songs' on the album the following: "Just Might Change Your Life", "The Words I Would Say", "Give It All Away", "Lay Down My Life".[6]

Accolades

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In 2010, the album was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.[7]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Just Might Change Your Life"David Frey, Ben McDonald, Sam Mizell3:11
2."Show Me How to Love"Frey, McDonald, Mizell3:37
3."You Can Have Me"Frey, Jason Ingram, McDonald3:49
4."The Words I Would Say"Frey, McDonald, Mizell3:18
5."Moving All the While"Frey, McDonald, Anthony Shay Watson3:44
6."For What It's Worth"Scott Davis, Frey, McDonald3:39
7."You Love Me Anyway"Mark Delaverone, Frey, McDonald4:20
8."All Things New"Frey, McDonald, Mizell3:50
9."You Will Never Leave Me"Ian Eskelin, Frey, McDonald, Tony Wood2:47
10."Give It All Away"Eskelin, Frey, McDonald, Watson4:07
11."Lay Down My Life"Eskelin, Frey, McDonald4:27
12."Change This Heart"Frey, McDonald2:58
Total length:40:49
Deluxe edition (additional tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Know That You Are Loved"Frey, McDonald, Shaun Shankel3:43
13."You Love Me Anyway (Lealand House Sessions)"Delaverone, Frey, McDonald4:27
14."The Words I Would Say (Lealand House Sessions)"Frey, McDonald, Mizell3:42
Total length:55:38

Personnel

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Sidewalk Prophets

  • David Frey – lead vocals
  • Ben McDonald – guitars
  • Cal Joslin – bass
  • Justin Nace – drums

Additional musicians

  • Ben Shive – keyboards
  • Aaron Shannon – programming
  • Tim Lauer – additional keyboards (3, 5, 7), accordion (3, 5, 7)
  • Mike Payne – guitars
  • John Catchings – cello (4, 7, 11)
  • Kristin Wilkinson – viola (4, 7, 11)
  • David Angell – violin (4, 7, 11)
  • David Davidson – violin (4, 7, 11), string arrangements (4, 7, 11)

Production

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  • Josh Bailey – A&R direction
  • Ian Eskelin – producer (1-11)
  • Shaun Shankel – producer (12-14)
  • Barry Weeks – additional vocal production, vocal recording
  • Aaron Shannon – recording
  • Jeff Pitzer – string recording (4, 7, 11)
  • Ben Phillips – additional Pro Tools editing
  • F. Reid Shippen – mixing at Robot Lemon (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Buckley Miller – mix assistant
  • Andrew Mendelson – mastering at Georgetown Masters (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Natthaphol Abhigantaphand – mastering assistant
  • Shelly Anderson – mastering assistant
  • Daniel Bacigalupi – mastering assistant
  • Jason Jenkins – A&R administration
  • Katherine Petillo – creative director
  • Alexis Goodman – design
  • iStockphoto.com – cover illustration
  • Tec Petaja – photography
  • BrickHouse Entertainment – management

Charts

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Album

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The standard version of the album failed to chart. The deluxe version charted as follows:[8]

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Billboard Hot Christian Albums 15[9]
Billboard Heatseekers Albums 5[10]

Singles

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Song Peak Position
The Words I Would Say 3 US Billboard Christian Singles[11]
You Can Have Me 16 US Billboard Christian Singles[12]
You Love Me Anyway 2 US Billboard Christian Singles[13]

1 BDSRadio Charts AC Christian Airplay[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Davis, Kevin (August 19, 2009). "These Simple Truths review". Christian Music Review. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Davis, Kevin (August 25, 2009). "These Simple Truths review". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Kerslake, Paul (September 26, 2011). "These Simple Truths review". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Fryberger, Scott (September 22, 2009). "These Simple Truths review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c Physick, Suzanne (October 28, 2009). "These Simple Truths review". Louder Than The Music. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c CMSpin (May 10, 2010). "These Simple Truths review". Praise Charts. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  7. ^ 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees announced on The Tennessean (February 18, 2010)
  8. ^ Billboard (August 25, 2009). "These Simple Truths (Standard)- Sidewalk Prophets". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  9. ^ Billboard (May 8, 2010). "These Simple Truths (Deluxe)- Sidewalk Prophets". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  10. ^ Billboard (September 18, 2010). "These Simple Truths (Deluxe)- Sidewalk Prophets". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  11. ^ Sidewalk, Prophet. "Chat History on Billboard".
  12. ^ Sidewalk, Prophets. "You Can Have me Chart History". Billboard.com.
  13. ^ Sidewalk, Prophets. "You Love Me Anyways". billboard.com.
  14. ^ Sidewalk, Prophets. "Love Me Anyways Radio Airplay". BDSradio Charts.

Sources

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