Kim Hill - Hope No Matter What

Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Originally recorded in the summer of 2001, this mini-album from one of America's most gifted CCM artists, was released in 2005, with two new songs added. It now has eight songs and a play time of 30 minutes. The summer of 2001 witnessed, of course, one of world's greatest tragedies - 9/11 - but also an event of huge sorrow in the lives of Hill's own family - her divorce. These varied songs seek to speak, from personal experience, peace and hope into brokenness, confusion and hurt. The opening "Hold Me Jesus" is a more ponderous version of Rich Mullins' original, and somehow seems to radiate more freshness and beauty. The song, like most tracks here, is in the soft pop/inspirational category with beautiful melodies carried by Kim's slightly husky vocals. My favourite is the flowing, heart-touching "Just To Say". The title track, emphasising that the Lord is with us, no matter what - co-features the song's writer, Ashley Cleveland, on vocals, and is a fine piece of upbeat acoustic country. Other tracks - mostly co-composed by producer and keyboardist Jamie Kenney, are mellow, piano-based tunes with comforting lyrics, and one - "He'll Take Care Of You", has an English orchestra as musical backdrop (though it's also a rather insipid piece and the track that works least well). Beauty from ashes? This pleasant and convincingly heartfelt recording is compelling evidence of that motto.