2004 UNITY AWARD: Praise & Worship Song of the Year ("I Love You, Lord")

Matt's sophomore effort doesn't disappoint. It takes his music to another level, mixing gutsy, guitar-driven rock, sophisticated pop and brilliant love songs to God. Welcome to the best new release on the market.

From the opening Lennon-McCartney-esque title track, with its humorous, self-conscious lyrics and deceptively simple four-beat structure, to the ingenious and edgy "Void," the album displays an impressive range of styles.

Exploring the Scriptures and the ups-and-downs of his own spiritual journey, Matt praises his Redeemer with a poetry that's not forced or syrupy. "Set Me As a Seal" stands out. This drop-dead gorgeous duet blends Matt's distinctive, gritty voice with Jenny Pixler's silky one in a testament to the "unquenchable" flame of God's love. Well produced and unabashedly Catholic in its devotion, Welcome to Life is a delicious, soul-satisfying listening experience.

Praise for Welcome to Life
“I enjoy music that strays off the beaten path. Matt Maher's new album certainly fits the bill. From the first song, 'Welcome to Life,' with its Beatlesque sound, to 'All Glory to God' with its contemporary rock sound to the world music sounds of 'Isaiah 61,' this album never ceases to surprise. Just when you think this is just a standard pop album, you encounter a cool loop, or a vocal effect or an inventive chord progression. The thoughtful lyrics make this album one of the best new CDs to hit my CD player in a while.”
—David Wang, Critical Mass band member and Catholic Register columnist

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