Capitol Christian Music Group
Release Date: January 7th 2022
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
TobyMac & Sheryl Crow– Promised Land (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Promised Land (Collab New)
- Promised Land (Collab OG)
TobyMac, one third of the revolutionary CCM rock band dcTalk, branched out on his own since the early 2000’s- and the rest is history. Sometimes I think that TobyMac isn’t even human. Maybe he’s an alien or a robot? How else could he accomplish so much in the CCM industry (multiple Grammy and Dove awards, plenty of number 1 singles, and tons more relatable and inspiring melodies) and also still stay so grounded in a music market that is becoming more and more cutthroat and fickle-minded, while at the same time having a constant sound and relevant material for people of all ages and all belief systems? On a more serious note, TobyMac is only 57, and with many recognisable songs such as “City On Our Knees”, “Made To Love”, “Lose My Soul”, “Tonight”, “Me Without You”, “Get Back Up”, “Speak Life”, “Love Broke Thru”, “Feel It”, “Beyond Me”, “Move (Keep Walkin’)”, “Burn For You”, “Gone”, “Atmosphere”, “Everything” and “i just need u.”; the pop/rap extraordinaire has unveiled his most ambitious and daring project yet. After recording a plethora of singles in “21 Years”, “I’m Sorry (A Lament)” and “Help Is On The Way”, Toby has unveiled to us “Promised Land”, a melody about looking for ‘the promised land’ and searching for meaning and purpose in life.
To be fair, this review is sort of redundant. Jon has already written about his thoughts on “Promised Land”. He has succinctly worded his own review in such that I’ve included below his thoughts verbatim, because those are my thoughts too. However, Toby has since re-released “Promised Land”, this time with Americana/folk/country legend Sheryl Crow on guest vocals. 2 new versions, for all of us to hear… and in my opinion these two versions are powerfully, brilliant in every way and are exquisitely awesome. I don’t think there are any more positive adjectives I could relay about these renditions, so I’ll leave you now with these two recordings below, and you can let me know what you think. Over the years there have been a few Christian and mainstream collaborations- “I’ll Find You” (Lecrae and Tori Kelly), “Together” (for KING & COUNTRY, Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly), “Bucket List” (Mitchell Tenpenny and Danny Gokey), “Lean On Me” (Kirk Franklin, Bono, Mary J. Blige, and R. Kelly), “The Fullest” (Josh Groban and Kirk Franklin) and “Better Days” (Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemmons and Kirk Franklin) stick out to me. Put it this way, collaborations between the two music industries are few and far between, and some collaborations (like with Lecrae and Kirk Franklin) have been controversial beyond what we could imagine. I do long for the day when Christian artists and mainstream artists can come together to make a song (like “We Are The World”), or even an album (like Compassion:Art); however until that day comes (and I believe it is coming!), I’ll take what I can get. God uses everything and anything to glorify Him and to bring us comfort, peace, healing and encouragement… so why can’t He use “Promised Land” with Sheryl Crow? The moment we fully understand that ‘mainstream music’ isn’t the devil’s music… is the moment that we can truly find freedom in any music. After all, people are people, and isn’t music someone’s attempt to make sense of the world, to find meaning and purpose in these 80-odd years they’re breathing? Something to think about and ponder over.
- Promised Land (Collab New) -a nod to Sheryl Americana/Nashville rock vibe.
- Promised Land (Collab OG) -original Promised Land production with Sheryl’s amazing vocals
Even though Toby has time and time again released plenty of high-quality albums- with The Elements, This Is Not A Test, Eye On It, Tonight, and Portable Sounds being the projects that have made it big for him – not to mention the live recordings of Alive & Transported and Hits Deep Live as well; calls for TobyMac to stop doing solo music and reunite formally with dc Talk remain, and become louder by the day. Especially since dc talk reunited for their cruise in 2017 and in 2019- however as of this point, I believe Toby is doing what God has called him to do, and right now that’s solo music. In fact, I reckon Toby will keep doing music for the foreseeable future, and maybe longer. Musicians and artists do not retire, as each person still has much more to say; but rather they keep going until they feel and believe that they have said enough and don’t need to say anything else. For Toby though, in 2022; I reckon he’s got so much more to say. These singles in “21 Years”, “I’m Sorry (A Lament)”, “Help Is On The Way” and now “Promised Land” are proof of that- and whenever Toby drops his next album (later on in 2022?), I know it will be big. Even now I have high hopes for it, even if the track list isn’t confirmed! So for the doubters… trust me- listen to The Elements, and then be amazed at Toby’s song-writing and singing and performing prowess! Well done Toby- I can’t wait to hear more of what God is doing in your life.
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Switchfoot, Britt Nicole, Lecrae, GAWVI, Tauren Wells, Tenth Avenue North