I have been waiting for this moment since I first discovered Francesca Battistelli back in 2009. Francesca’s new album, Hundred More Years releases next month
“This Is The Stuff” is the first single off the album and is not at all what I was expecting as a tease to Hundred More Years. While the song is not as commercial and intriguing as say her track, “Don’t Miss It,” it’s catchy and fun and the message throws the listeners back to reality. The single also sets up a very sweet tone to the album. I love everything about the next track, “Constant” from the vocals to the instruments and song arrangement to the lyrics. The lyrics…there’s definitely a running theme on this album in that God is always there for you and everything has its place. And it is so wonderful to sing along to. The beginning of the song reminds me of Bethany Dillon’s “When You Love Someone” but it works. Everything works about this song.
Then there’s the track, “You Never Are” which talks about how we are never far, never too late, etc… because we have God’s grace, which as she sings in the song, is underestimated. This is a song that people of all ages need to hear and play everyday and all day long until they get a breakthrough to fret not, get up, and become more successful in all areas of their lives. “Angel By Your Side” is just as captivating as one would expect as the lyrics are so incredibly heartfelt. The song would actually sound even more angelic live, with just the acoustic guitar or piano. Then there’s, “Motion of Mercy” which is really close to my heart and brings me close to tears because everyday I find new reasons to appreciate God’s mercy and grace. Everyday. “Motion of Mercy” comes from such a genuine place and that is what makes this such a wonderful worship song.
“Emily (It’s Love)” featuring Dave Barnes is such a fun song! It has the potential to be the most fun song on the album when performed live. The vocals sync so well and you will not be able get the chorus out of your head. This is one of those songs that everyone will find themselves jamming to and once they listen to the lyrics, they’ll find that it’s all about God’s unconditional love. What better a song to jam to? The lyrics are truly phenomenal on this album. I loved My Paper Heart but I love Hundred More Years even more!
“Good to Know” is a song about reassurance. It’s uplifting however the song itself seems to be somewhat mediocre – and only because I’m at a point in my life where I am not at the feet of God searching for reassurance. When I do need this song, it will bear more importance. “So Long” is sweet candy. It’s about moving onto the good things and saying goodbye to the bad. The instruments are few, making the song arrangement very well thought out and yet so fluid and simple…as change and growth for the most part should be. My only issue is that this track is not the last song on the album, because I would love to hear the entire album and then repeat this song for the remainder of the day. Although that’s nothing I can’t fix in iTunes.
“Worth It” is a song that can be taken so many different ways because there are so many different forms of love. There’s falling in love, there’s showing love for strangers and those in need, there’s the love you express to your family, etc… For those that know me personally, I have zero intentions of getting married. So after hearing the lyrics, “Love’s not easy but it’s worth it” I groaned…and continued to listen since it’s Francesca Battistelli. Then I heard, “Love can heal you if you let it inside.” Okay, Okay. You got me Francesca. That being said, “Hundred More Years” is going to be the wedding song of 2011! What a beautiful song. It truly gives more meaning to the word beautiful.
Hundred More Years is an album that will still be getting played in my family in one hundred more years. It is one of the most engaging and inspiring Christian albums that I have ever owned. Francesca Battistelli is a fantastic song writer, story teller, vocalist, musician, and so much more. This album is yet another reason why Francesca Battistelli is Grammy Award worthy and I cannot wait to see where this album takes her.
Hundred More Years hits stores and iTunes on March 1, 2011.
Check out Francesca Battistelli on the Winter Jam 2011 Tour now.