About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

If you are expecting If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something to be perky and upbeat, without even a hint of a dark moment, you're in for a surprise. In the past six years Rebecca St. James has lived ... and life, even Christian life, has rough spots. She isn't afraid to share her growth in this release and that honesty and passion amid the pain is what makes this release her best album.



Pros

• Rebecca St. James is back ... and she's better than ever!
• BarlowGirl appears on this release and add to an already amazing song

Cons

• There were only three songs that didn't do it for me ... the other nine were great!

Description

• Style: Pop/rock
• 12 Songs (11 written or co-written by Rebecca St. James)
  
• Released: November, 2005 by Forefront Records

Guide Review - Rebecca St. James - 'If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something'

The edgy and slightly dark "God Help Me" kicks this party off in a big way. Written on her 27th birthday, this song is about feeling like you're running out of life and love, only to realize that your vulnerability and weakness isn't a bad thing when you cry out to God for His strength. Following the opening track is the upbeat, pop tune "Alive," which makes a great first radio single. "I Need You" is a song that Rebecca wrote for her best friend, Karleen. It talks about the beautiful unconditional love that her friend always shows her and personally, it's a song that I want my oldest daughter to hear.

The strings on "Love Being Loved By You" steal the show.

Fast forward to track ten, "Forgive Me," which features BarlowGirl singing in the background. This piano driven ballad is the absolute stand-out track of the entire album. These four anointed women sound like they've been singing together forever with perfect harmonies and a message of confession that brings chills.

"I Can Trust In You" is another track that deserves special attention. The lyrics in this song really hit home for any Christian. Letting go of control hurts in our dog-eat-dog world, but the only way to find freedom is to give control to God.

Rebecca St. James has grown as a person, as a writer and as a singer over the past several years and this album really shows just how much. She has truly out-done herself with this release.

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