Take Me Anywhere

AMG Review of Take Me Anywhere

Jared Johnson
All Music Guide

The journey of the redemptive soul has rarely been set to such a compelling soundtrack. The Destin, FL native's debut is challenging in its approach yet faintly familiar in its undertones. Few new artists in the crowded CCM scene could pull off this marriage of atmospheric alt rock and telltale worship themes. Few veterans, in fact. And yet not only does Chris Taylor bear the standard of a freshman artist with style and grace, he conveys his novel approach to songwriting with unabashed humility on track after introspective track. From the lush soundscape of the opener "Turn Me Around" -- in which he pleads with God to show him how to love unconditionally -- to the giant reverberating chorus of "Atmosphere" -- where God's answer echoes straight to the heart -- Taylor examines personal conversations with Deity. These ultimately lead inward, while the soaring cacophony of guitars and synth seems to send the soul into orbit. You'll want to break down this album and listen to it again and again; it's one of the most substantive releases since Andrew Peterson's A Far Country (2006).