Mark Harris Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
For 15 years, Mark Harris was the primary songwriter for the popular Christian pop group 4Him. When the band broke up in 2006, he took a job as a minister in his hometown while also continuing the solo career that he had begun with 2005's The Line Between the Two. Windows and Walls is his second solo effort, and it's an impressive one. The danger with Christian pop in particular always lies in the delicate balance between creating music that's fun and enjoyable for its own sake and writing lyrics that make the gospel message clear. The danger with solo work in general is that you don't have other bandmembers warning you away from bad ideas. Harris has been honing his craft for a long time, and has learned something about avoiding both pitfalls; this is clearest on perfect power pop compositions like "Windows and Walls" (which also boasts an apt and clever lyrical conceit) and "I Will See Jesus." On the other hand, having a few colleagues on hand might have helped him avoid the sappy excesses of "Writing on the Wall" and the obviousness of "One True God." He does get extra points for the slyly pointed lyrics on "Use Words." Fans shouldn't hesitate to pick this one up, and newcomers will find much to enjoy here as well. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
'The Line Between the Two'
Release Date 6/7/2005
Tracks 10
Label Sony
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Line Between the Two is a deeply personal musical statement from one of the members of the celebrated Christian pop group 4Him, the result of what sounds like something of a mid-life crisis in which he explores such issues as aging and fatherhood. And like most deeply personal musical statements, it's one that doesn't always connect in a deep way with the listener. While "For the First Time" rocks out in a fairly universal way, on "Carry the Light" and "Hello to Goodbye" Mark Harris starts wimping out a bit, relying on push-button emotional tricks to carry the songs. By "Wish You Were Here," which features a triangle and a string section, he sounds like Neil Finn trying to sell a really boring and unattractive conception of heaven without the help of any musical hooks. But things pick up again thereafter with the solidly workmanlike title track, the U2-ish "Find Myself in You," and the rocking "Ordinary Life," which features a guitar line that Lenny Kravitz would be proud of. Not bad overall, but this is devotional music, and as with all devotional music, the emphasis is more on the devotion than on the music. Those already inclined to enjoy it on that basis won't be disappointed. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
