By Jacob Sahms
“We’re all victims in a battle we never had to fight,” he proposes, while “confessions always seem to stay unsaid/and maybe I worry that you’ll forsake me/use my shame as a weapon.” The honesty of self-inspection shines through his words, and it sounds good too!
I hope that Heath’s songs will catch on in CCM circles, but “Steady Now,” “I’m Not Who I Was,” and “Let’s Make It Last” are radio-friendly, especially in a world where “I Can Only Imagine” can become a love song! Either way, Don’t Get Comfortable is worth a listen, to brighten your day or to challenge you in your approach to life.
The outspoken Christian side of the songwriter-singer comes through periodically, but the understated side echoes Switchfoot or a more upbeat Bebo Norman. In “Simple Man,” he affirms his faith, resolutely denying that he will leave just for the sake of leaving, knowing he’ll never be given a reason to “drop my faith.” I found “Don’t Get Comfortable” to be the voice of God singing to us, but it could easily be that of a victim of wrong singing forgiveness over the abuser. Here, Heath sings, “even if you make mistakes/you know that I’ll remain/you’ve been looking for a sign all this time.” The grace of God included in the words of Heath’s songs is undeniable and redeeming. Words of healing and forgiveness are also offered in “I Will Lay You Down” and “I’m Not Who I Was.”
“I’m Not Who I Was” is the song that has quickly connected Heath with fans, as he reveals his need to forgive someone from his past who he hasn’t seen in some time. “People have said that it gives them permission to forgive someone that they have been unable to forgive,” he says. “For me, moving someone to think about their life is the biggest reward as a songwriter.”
Throughout the album, the sound and lyrics are upbeat without being cheesy. The emphasis is outward, full living, focusing on changing your own life, and making others’ lives better. Heath’s mindset is certainly driven by his experiences, having traveled to Ecuador and India to serve the poor. Taking steps away from home made him realize the poor next door: “I’ve never had the perspective of a poor person. A couple of years ago, I noticed how often Jesus talked about the poor and being among the poor. It’s forced me to lower my expectations of what I think I need.”
I hope that Heath’s songs will catch on in CCM circles, but “Steady Now,” “I’m Not Who I Was,” and “Let’s Make It Last” are radio-friendly, especially in a world where “I Can Only Imagine” can become a love song! Either way, Don’t Get Comfortable is worth a listen, to brighten your day or to challenge you in your approach to life. |