I firmly believed Mark Schultz could do no better after releasing Stories & Songs, but with his newest release, Broken & Beautiful, I hear myself saying the exact same thing - he can do no better. As hard as it is to admit, believe me when I say that this album is even better than his 2003 release. Schultz proves that he's been hard at work for the past three years with this incredible addition to his discography, and it has paid off. Broken & Beautiful is sure to impress.

"40 Days" begins the album with a bang. With this great rock song, Schultz admits to God that there are times in his life when he feels completely lost without a clue of where to go. He compares these rough times to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, and adds hope at the end of the song that "there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I know."

The sound of the first single off the album, "Broken & Beautiful," reminds me of one of Schultz's hits, "You Are a Child of Mine." The lyrics, though, resemble one of Casting Crowns' hits, "If We Are the Body," though Schultz's lyrics take a slightly different turn. In this song, those who are sometimes found isolated from the church are, in fact, broken and beautiful. The best line of the song, if not the album, comes towards the end of the song: "There's nothing more beautiful to God than when his sons and daughters come broken." On the Christian AC chart for only five weeks, "Broken & Beautiful" is rising steadily, at position 16 from 20 as of August 28th.

In a somewhat daring move, a song on the issue of adoption versus abortion is included in the track listing. "Everything to Me" looks into the mind of a child who was given up at birth, but was able to live a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life due to the choice that his birth mother made. These powerful lyrics send a message of hope to those thinking about aborting a child; when "you gave me up, you gave everything to me." The song is encouragement to use the second choice of bringing life to a child, and letting him or her live that life with someone who can fully care for them.

Another poignant childhood song helps conclude the album. Somewhat reminiscent of Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses," "She Was Watching" recounts the story of a little girl growing up watching her father pray and the way her parents interact with each other. It emphasizes the importance of parents being constant, faithful role models to their children, because you never know when your child is watching you. Schultz explains that, "Faith is never taught, it's just something that they catch watching you along the way."

Other songs on this album include "He's Walking Her Home," a beautiful love story from first date to last night together, and "Until I See You Again," a fun song from God giving us His best advice to "live with the wonder of a child, pray with your arms thrown open wide, love with a love that has no end." Joy Williams' background vocals are featured in the worship songs of the CD, "Lord You Are" and "God of Life."

Mark Schultz has done it again. Broken & Beautiful is a must have in every CD collection. From Schultz's all too famous piano-driven music to some surprising use of heavy electric guitar, this album is sure to have people continuing to demand his songs on the radio.

Pick up your copy of Broken & Beautiful on September 26th, and in the meantime, check for news updates on his website: www.markschultzmusic.com.

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