GRADE: B
- Album: Home
- Artist: Mark Bishop
- Label: Sonlite
- Style: Folk, Country
- Producer(s): Jeff Collins
- Release Date: 01/26/24
- Running Time: 41 Minutes
SYNOPSIS:
Today we are going to take a look at the latest album from Mark Bishop; Home.
Mark’s singer/songwriter ‘down home’ folk style has endeared him to many listeners since becoming a solo artist over 20 years ago. Mark’s 2024 album release, Home, only enhances that style.
As with all of Mark’s recordings, he wrote all eleven new songs found on Home.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Mark outdid himself when writing the material for Home. I consider several songs on the album some of the best compositions of his career.
- The immediate stand out was the album’s first radio single, “I Met Somebody On The Way To The Cemetery”. Mark always has a unique way with words. The title alone makes you want to give the song a listen.
- That is followed by the album’s current radio single, “What I Don’t Know How To Do, Jesus Does”. This is the style song listeners have come to expect from Mark; an up-tempo folk style song that will have you hitting repeat before listening to the rest of the album.
- Another must listen is the ‘rock-a-billy’ style title track, “Home”. This would also make for a strong radio single contender.
- I don’t want to leave the review without mentioning the album’s opening track, “I Found Something Better”. Reminiscent of the classic country sounds of Hank Williams and Buck Owens; give it a listen.
- Strongest songs included in order: “I Met Somebody On The Way To The Cemetery”; “What I Don’t Know How To Do, Jesus Does”; “Home”; “I Found Something Better”; “But There Is A Cross”; “I Am Unshackled/Thank God I Am Free” and “Come Unto Me All Ye Who Are Weary”.
- The album’s style does get a bit disjointed with the two progressive Southern Gospel style songs at the end of the recording.
- “Ten Thousand Witnesses” gets full, sweeping orchestration that stylistically separates from the rest of the recording.
- Weakest songs included in order: “Waiting For You” and “A Lovely Tapestry”.
WRAP UP:
Mark Bishop continues to provide listeners with his endearing, folksy style. I would consider Home among the top five albums released in Bishop’s recording career. Several songs on the album are also among the best of his songwriting career.
SONG (Tempo)/Style – Songwriter: 1. “I Found Something Better” (Mid/Fast)/Country – Mark Bishop 2. “A Lovely Tapestry” (Mid)/Folk – Mark Bishop 3. “But There Is A Cross” (Mid)/Folk – Mark Bishop 4. “If We Can’t Be Happy Here” (Mid)/Folk – Mark Bishop 5. “What I Don’t Know How To Do, Jesus Does” (Fast)/Folk – Mark Bishop 6. “Home” (Fast)/Country – Mark Bishop 7. “Come Unto Me All Ye Who Are Weary” (Mid)/Folk – Mark Bishop 8. “I Met Somebody On The Way To The Cemetery” (Mid)/Country – W Herbert Brewster, Clara Ward 9. “Waiting For You” (Slow)/Easy Listening – Mark Bishop 10. “I Am Unshackled/Thank God I Am Free” (Mid)/Progressive Southern Gospel – Mark Bishop/James McFall 11. “Ten Thousand Witnesses” (Slow)/Progressive Southern Gospel – Mark Bishop