Andrew Peterson

Counting Stars
Centricity

His probing, Gary Sinise gaze might play a part, but singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson likely owes at least the musical sway (he’s also an accomplished novelist) he holds over coffee-shop Christians to his enviably earthy sincerity.

To wit: “The Reckoning,” a soul-felt, psalm-like yearning for Christ’s return, was the spontaneous result of sitting on his front porch watching a storm roll over his house. Having a style that easily translates to, yet transcends, the folk/alt-country scene in his home base of Nashville doesn’t hurt either. Nor should his seventh studio album, which has already received a rousing blogged endorsement from Donald Miller, author of “Blue Like Jazz.”

Recorded in the wind-swept western hills of Washington state, “Counting Stars” will likely feel to Peterson devotees, as member/producer Ben Shive put it, “like a familiar room painted a different color.” Given time, they’ll like that color even better. Recommended.