Gordon Mote

All Things New
New Haven Records LLC

Sometimes when reviewing a new CD I have to pay close attention to the mix, the individual instrumental performances, the writing, the continuity of production values, all kinds of disconnected bits and pieces that go into making a good musical product. And, rarely, I just let the music and the lyrics take over and base my review on pure emotion. Gordon Mote’s new project “All Things New” is one of those.

When I realized I had tears streaming down my face while listening to “Faith Like That” I knew this was one of those records. “All Things New” is what I like to call “Nashville” music, the kind of thing we used to call country before country got so slick. I’ll admit to not being a huge fan of country music, but music of any type, when the lyrics tug at your heart and the melodies and arrangements pull you in, is good music. This is good music. Mote has put God at the center of this record and made one of the best records I’ve had the privilege to review in a long time.

As a musician, I would love to work on a record like this. Fun to play, outstanding writing, catchy hooks, beautiful recording — not to mention the touching Christ-centered lyrics — that should appeal to a broad audience. Mote has created a tour de force of lyric and melody here. Country? Maybe. Maybe not.

If you like country music, buy it. If you don’t, buy it. But buy it. Trust me.