What Matters Most (CD) by Wes King

CD. The veteran CCM singer and guitarist is, above all else, honest. His liner notes mention that he never wants to make a record simply for its own sake -- that arousing passion and feelings about the truly important things in life matter more than just putting out a product. It's best then, to pay special attention to the lyrics on this project, which focus on the deeper meanings behind the surface pleasures of life. Sometimes he resorts to familiar genre clichés taken from Biblical passages ("Faith Moves Mountains/Hope Holds On"), but at other times he ponders his own potential legacy ("Excavate"), the need to cherish life ("There Is a God"), and the day-to-day things everyone takes for granted ("Slow Miracles"). Musically, the tunes range from up-tempo, peppy rockers ("Spin You Round," "Staring Down the Dog") to Eagles-like songs ("Slow Miracles") which find his sweet voice sounding much like that of Timothy B. Schmidt. There's also a bit of a country twang on the wistful, reflective "Connie Come to Georgia," a story song about the meaning of the passing of a close relative. This disc was released around the time of the World Trade Center disaster, and many of the tracks make for good anthemic, healing songs that help listeners' hearts focus on spirit and healing over materialism. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi