Starring: - James Caviezel
- Monica Bellucci
- Claudia Gerini
Description:
When the world first learned Mel Gibson was shooting "The Passion Of The Christ" in Italy few people suspected it would be one of the top 10 films of all time in the American box office, much less one of those movies that would have an accompanying CD featuring various popular artists. The film was a masterpiece of sight, sound and feeling and here is one of the few CD tie-in albums that was actually inspired by watching the film instead of being pre-packaged for a simultaneous release. True, John Debney's score album is the superior work, a rich, skillfull work of art in itself. "Original Songs Inspired By The Film" is surely better than the previous song collection which featured artists you wouldn't normally connect with the film (Bob Dylan?). The real secret reason a lot of people will be purchasing this CD is to see how former Creed frontman Scott Stapp does solo (and of course die-hard Creed fans will buy it JUST BECAUSE Stapp is a featured performer). As a solo artist Stapp is actually a bit impressive. "Relearn Love" has all the country meets gospel meets heavy metal flourishes that made Creed so popular. It's a good song with a sense of emotion and has some soaring moments of celestial chord playing. Stapp's voice hasn't suffered from his recent notorious alcohol excesses and there's still hope for this guy's career. The album is a mix of secular and Christian artists. Representing for the Christian category are Third Day with Steve Curtis Chapman and Mercy Me and P.O.D. who I guess could still be called a Christian band. The Day, Chapman and Me collaboration, "I See Love" is an effective, optimistic song that pays faithful homage to the film's messages and ideas. It's one of the album's best moments. P.O.D.'s "Truly Amazing" has some moments of real evocative instrumentals but the lyrics are strange and the song dies down when it takes on the feel of a love song disguised as a Christian anthem. Charlotte Church delivers a classically popish "Finding My Own Way" that reveals a surprising, pleasant side of her. Kirk Franklin and Yolanada Adams give us one of the weaker moments with "How Many Lashes," a somewhat cheesy stab at Christian R&B (does this guy always have to start the song sounding like a street-wise Socrates?). MxPx and Mark Hoppus roar in with "The Empire," it's a sometimes strange but not too bad attempt at Punk with poetic aspirations. One of the reasons the album falls short of expectations is because we expect a more visceral experience from the artists. "The Passion Of The Christ" is one of the great, epic and theological cinematic works of our time and the album feels too soft and simple. There's nothing here you can't find in any other Christian album or Gospel collection sound-wise. The first three opening tracks have so much promise that you're let down by the end result. In the end the album is for the collectors and Scott Stapp fans.
1. I See Love - Third Day/Stephen Curtis Chapman/MercyMe
2. Relearn Love - Scott Stapp
3. Truly Amazing - P.O.D
4. New Again - Brad Paisley/Sara Evans
5. Rainy Day - Big Dismal
6. Passion, The - Lauryn Hill
7. How Many Lashes - Kirk Franklin/Yolanda Adams
8. Empire, The - MxPx/Mark Hoppus
9. Finding My Own Way - Charlotte Church
10. Miracle Of Love - BeBe Winans/Angie Stone
11. To Give Love - Dan Lavery
12. Reason I Live - Big Dismal
Passion Of The Christ: Songs
