Reviews of “Long, Straight, Uphill Climb”

“Barry and Michelle Patterson are simply great writers and musicians. But I think the honesty of this album is what gets to me – the first line of the album starts it well – “Obscurity embraces me, have I been put away?” I think embracing who we are as people, mortal, flowers, brilliant yet fading in the field if you will, is a central challenge to us in our society of achievement, of “bigger is better, you’ll never diminish into obscurity.” So I think it’s the courage in Michelle’s voice “let’s drink it down like a bottle of perfect wine,” that comes through, the knowledge that the abyss is inevitable but that God keeps us even in the darkest parts. Another of my favorites, “How Sweet,” begins epically and the lyrics and melody don’t disappoint. Simple…hitting really joyful moments… Anyway, I really like the album as a whole. It feels cohesive, it’s inventive in melody and lyric and I can worship in moments and contemplate life in others. Brilliant job Barry and Michelle!”–Aaron Strumpel

barry and michelle patterson’s latest release entitled “long
straight uphill climb” is one of those albums that grips you and won’t
let you go.  i promised a review of the album to the artists and
unfortunately for them, they’ve had to wait for weeks because, to be
honest, i couldn’t get past the first track for the first several weeks
of listening.

“abyss” is the opening track on the album.  the
driving guitar coupled with michelle’s lyrics and lilt took me to a
place that i had to stay for a while.  about surrender, a topic that
causes me to squirm in my chair a bit from time to time, “abyss” not
only evokes the deep seated feelings of fear and anxiety that go along
with waiting on the lord through its lyrics, but also through the tone
and anguish noted in michelle’s vocals.  she’s able to completely be
present in the simultaneous questioning and certainty of the line
“maybe it will be… okay.” 

the remainder of the album has
taken me on a journey and has in the end left me feeling closer to
god’s heart and closer to the artists themselves.  this album seems to
have a deeply personal touch – not something lacking in previous
efforts, but yet something very tangible on this album in particular. 
the tracks with barry on lead vocals almost all focus on the deep,
wide, never-changing love of the father.  it’s clear that his
understanding of that grace, that acceptance, that true love… has
grown immensely and again, it not only comes through the lyrics but in
the passion of his voice.

all in all, this album for me is about hope.

“it will be a long straight uphill climb
where all the grief and pleasure intertwine”

barry
and michelle have lived this life.  one where grief and pleasure
intertwine… and they exude the hope and faith of ones who have come
to realize that god loves them through every inch of pain and
suffering, just as much as he loves us in the success and joy of our
lives.

a true gem of an album – you shouldn’t pass on adding this one to your collection!–Suzanne Fletcher

Reviews of “So High”

“If Sarah McLachlan was in a band with the Cocteau Twins, and they decided to perform primarily devotional and worship songs in a format loosely like Out of the Grey, you’d have something that could still only aspire to be as wonderful as Barry and Michelle Patterson’s So High. Over dreamy, acoustic-driven folk-rock beds, the Patterson’s impassioned vocals (Michelle sings the lion’s share) inhabit lyrics redolent with Biblical imagery and intense devotion to the Risen Savior. Their songs laud Jesus as the Source of love (“Come”), as the all-faithful Lord (“Your Faithfulness”), as the Uncircumscribable (“So High”), and as the true heart of pleasure (“There is No One”). Simply to hear these songs is to be an aural witness to the majestic depth and beauty of the Living God. Highly recommended.” — Kemper Crabb