Faith Comes By Hearing Album Review

June 10, 2012 - PRLog -- FAITH COME BY HEARING

If you are looking to be encouraged, enlightened, refreshed and uplifted by music that sounds like a montage of Boyz II Men, Take 6, Fred Hammond, Anthony Evans, Brian McKnight and Men of Standard, then this is the album for you!

Singer, songwriter, producer, husband, father, man of God, Josiah Ruff is a gifted musician with a passion for delivering God breathed messages through song. With this fourth release, "Faith Comes By Hearing", He continues a tradition of lifting our spirits and eyes ever upward with newly inspired songs of hope and strength.

The 1st track is a morph of Musiq Soulchild meets Fred Hammond meets Brian Mcknight, titled "I Guess". The lyrics alone Will make your heart smile as you reminisce about the goodness of God and His covering of grace.

"Jesus Savior" is a tasteful blend of vocal dualism that features Josiah and the rich and earthy textures of Sarah Ruff. This beautiful song proclaims the name of Jesus like you've never heard before; prepare to be ushered into the very presence of the Almighty Savior.

The title track, "Faith Comes By Hearing", is a definite nod to his obvious Brian McKnight influence and is a powerful declaration of where faith comes from. This ode is a lasting encouragement for believers to persevere while holding onto the promises of God's Word.

Josiah reaches out to another local artist, Herve "Dada" Alce for the collaboration of, "Life Made New". This song will have you singing from the rafters about the hope that is within you. Even through inevitable struggles, faith is the victory that overcomes the world because God's got a stimulus plan that will last forever.

Inspired by the words of Galatians 5, Josiah penned the song, "Free", a reminder of who we are in Christ Jesus and an exhortation to continue pressing towards our high calling. A distinct and unique combination of piano, percussion and vocals this song exemplifies the diversity of God-given skill BTW (there is a nice surprise in the bridge).

I'm not sayin' that this song, "Man of God" isn't sweet! That's not what I'm sayin', cause if I said that I would be so wrong. The song delivers the straight truth over an issue that every believer struggles with, "CONTROL".

Have you ever been in a sit-chee-ay-shun? "Lord I Need You" speaks right to the heart of it. Should I give up, should I stand, what do I do when I'm weak? This song embody's the heart's cry to God for deliverance and is masterfully performed showing off Josiah's range and power.

The album also comprises the vocalise of three additional artists. The final duet of the album, "That's How You Love Me" was co-written by the lead vocalist Athena Sorensen. The duet describes the Father's love for us likening it to the love we have for our new born children. WARNING: Some have experienced flash flooding of the eyelids with sudden outbursts of praise and thanksgiving.  



The whole album is centered around the Word of God and our need to embrace what it says for life and for peace. Josiah reminds us of Jesus' prayer that we all may be one through the sanctifying power of the Word in his brief interlude "Thy Word is Truth" and serenades a compelling plea to be taught of God in the full song. This song will transport you from your seat to the Garden where Jesus prayed this prayer and inspire you to dig deeper into the Bible for it's wonderful truths.



"On This Day" is a gentle but not so subtle reminder of entering into God's rest err Seventh-day Sabbath rest.

"Faithful" is a blend of Smokie Norful and Fred Hammond and a perfectly fitting statement of God's character. Josiah performs with fervor coming straight from the heart of a man that has tried God to determine if what He says is true or not. Be warned, this song might get stuck on REPEAT, its that good.

Faith Comes By Hearing is powerful, encouraging, uplifting and wonderfully performed all the songs speak of the God who inspired each tune and each track provides the foundation for a sincere, heartfelt vocal performance that can stand alone in the midst of greatness.

Experience the highs and lows of a Christian's life through the voice of a true believer in the faithfulness of God and be prepared to be engulfed in a delicious wall of luscious harmonies and beautifully performed,  powerful vocal stylings that will delight your senses.

Franklin Purnell