More (Jeremy Riddle album)

More is the fifth studio album by American Christian worship musician Jeremy Riddle. The album was released on November 17, 2017, by Bethel Music.[1][2] Riddle worked with Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson and Nicolas Balachandran in the production of the album.

More
More Album Cover
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 17, 2017 (2017-11-17)
Recorded2017
Studio
  • Bethel Music, Redding, CA
  • Richmond Park, Los Angeles, CA
  • United Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Genre
Length58:09
LabelBethel Music
Producer
  • Ran Jackson
  • Ricky Jackson
  • Nicolas Balachandran
  • Brian Johnson (exec.)
  • Joel Taylor (exec.)
Jeremy Riddle chronology
Furious
(2011)
More
(2017)

Background edit

Jeremy Riddle, after a seven-year hiatus from solo releases, announced that More, his fifth studio album and his first release via Bethel Music, would be released on November 17, 2017.[3][4]

Prior to joining Bethel Church in Redding, California in 2011 as a worship pastor, Riddle released notable albums such as Full Attention (2007), The Now and Not Yet (2008) and Furious (2011) and which include songs such as "Sweetly Broken", "Bless His Name" and "Furious".[5] As a member of Bethel Music collective, Riddle has co-written and recorded songs such as "This Is Amazing Grace", "Breaking Through", "Be Enthroned", "Fall Afresh", "Furious" and "God of the Redeemed" among others.[4] Riddle also spearheaded the inception and development of Tribe, a young adults ministry at Bethel Church.[5]

In a press release published on November 3, 2017 via The Media Collective, Riddle spoke of the creative process leading to the album's production, saying:

The record really started as a feeble cry of praise, not a roar, but then it began to grow and strengthen... Once I had a couple songs under my belt, I realized, there’s still something in here that is worth sharing. It’s a battle when it comes to creativity. It's spiritual. It's never been the external critics -- people who love your work or have some beef with it – my battle is internal. The enemy is so opposed to the children of God creating the things we’re meant to create.

– Jeremy Riddle, The Media Collective[5]

Promotion edit

On November 3, 2017, three songs were made available for instant download at the start of the digital pre-order period in the lead up to the album's release, which was slated for November 17, 2017. The three pre-order singles were "All Hail King Jesus", "More" and "No Fear in Your Love".[6][7]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine     [8]
The Christian Beat     [9]
Cross Rhythms          [10]
NewReleaseToday     [11]

Rating the album four stars in a CCM Magazine review, Kevin Sparkman believes that the album "encompasses all that we've come to love from Bethel Music's style of anthemic worship on through to some really well-produced power pop."[8] Signaling in a four and a half star review by The Christian Beat, Chris Major realizes, "More is a lyrically strong collection, developing themes of adoration and awe intertwined with desire and passion for Christ's presence."[9] Bestowing a nine square rating for Cross Rhythms, Stephen Luff says the album "manages to stride the musical chasm of inspiration and melodies and song hooks that stand repeated listening."[10] At NewReleaseToday, Jay Wright rated the album four stars out of five in his review, saying that "More is a solid collection of heartfelt cries for more of God and a hunger to understand His love on a deeper level. It celebrates this love which heals and restores us and brings us through our toughest times. Jeremy Riddle's rough vocals bring this message strongly, while creative rhythms leave the listener coming back for more. Though this is a powerful worship album, it's also a fun album to enjoy!"[11] In a superbly positive review by Sharefaith Magazine, it was concluded that "Jeremy Riddle's return to solo work might have been a long time coming, but it's all the better for it. More is an album for those who might have been caught in the doldrums, not even realizing they're settling for a life that's less than abundant. It's a heart cry spoken in the authentic language of an artist who has been there. For the listener willing to push forward in faith, this album is an invitation to step into the more."[12]

Commercial performance edit

In the United States, More debuted at No. 4 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart dated December 9, 2017, having earned sales of 5,000 equivalent album units in its first week.[13] More is Jeremy Riddle's first album to debut in the top ten on the Christian Albums chart.[13] The album was also listed as the fourteenth best-selling digital release in the country that same week,[14] and reached No. 13 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart.[15]

Track listing edit

More — CD track listing[2][16]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."More"
[17]
5:06
2."Even If (All the More)"
  • Riddle
  • Ran Jackson
  • N. Balachandran
[18]
5:02
3."It Only Gets Stronger"
  • Riddle
  • Ran Jackson
[19]
4:02
4."Overwhelming"
  • Ran Jackson
  • Jess Cates
  • Anthony Skinner
[20]
4:41
5."All Hail King Jesus"
[21]
8:17
6."No Fear in Your Love"
[22]
6:12
7."Holy Ground"
[23]
5:33
8."Sing to My Heart"
  • Riddle
  • Ran Jackson
[24]
5:19
9."Love on Fire"
  • Riddle
  • Gretzinger
  • Ricky Jackson
  • Ran Jackson
  • Gabrielle Balachandran
[25]
5:01
10."Shadow"Riddle[26]4:03
11."Made in Love"Riddle[27]4:53
Total length:58:09
More — Digital edition[1][28]
No.TitleLength
1."More"5:06
2."Even If (All the More)"5:02
3."It Only Gets Stronger"4:02
4."Overwhelming"4:41
5."All Hail King Jesus"8:17
6."No Fear in Your Love"6:12
7."Holy Ground"5:33
8."Sing to My Heart"5:19
9."Love on Fire"5:01
10."Yeshua"3:15
11."Shadow"4:03
12."Made in Love"4:53
13."It Only Gets Stronger" (Lo-Fi Version)6:44
Total length:68:08

Personnel edit

Adapted from AllMusic.[29]

  • Jeremy Riddle – vocals, keyboards, programming
  • Nicolas Balachandran – keyboards, programming, guitars, bass, vocals
  • Tyler Chester – keyboards
  • Will Gramling – keyboards
  • Ran Jackson – keyboards, programming, bass, string arrangements, vocals
  • Ricky Jackson – keyboards, programming, guitars, vocals
  • Charles Jones – organ, vocals
  • Taylor Johnson – guitars
  • Sean Hurley – bass
  • Adam Redfield – drums
  • Aaron Sterling – drums
  • Jeremy Larson – strings
  • Aalok Balachandran – vocals
  • Jessi Collins – vocals
  • Amanda Cook – vocals

Production edit

  • Brian Johnson – executive producer
  • Joel Taylor – executive producer
  • Nicolas Balachandran – producer, engineer
  • Ran Jackson – producer, engineer
  • Ricky Jackson – producer, engineer
  • John Raush – engineer
  • Michael Brauer – mixing
  • Mark Endert – mixing
  • Adam Hawkins – mixing
  • Adam Ayan – mastering
  • Robby Busick – production manager
  • Bethany Wilford – project manager
  • Aly Whitworth –project coordinator
  • Chris Estes – director
  • Kiley Goodpasture – creative director
  • Stephen Hart – art direction, design, photography
  • Lucas Sankey – photography

Charts edit

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[30] 25
UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[31] 2
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[32] 4
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[33] 15
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[34] 13

Release history edit

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide November 17, 2017 CD Bethel Music [2][16]
[1][28]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "More by Jeremy Riddle on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. November 17, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Jeremy Riddle - More - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. November 17, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  3. ^ "More From Jeremy: Renowned worship leader Jeremy Riddle to release first solo project since 2011". Cross Rhythms. September 16, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Louder Than The Music - Jeremy Riddle To Release New Solo Album 'More'". Louder Than The Music. October 20, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Hyder, Courtney (November 3, 2017). "Jeremy Riddle To Release More Nov. 17 — the media collective" (Press release). Nashville, Tennessee: Bethel Music. The Media Collective. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  6. ^ "More by Jeremy Riddle Now Available for Pre-Order". MultiTracks.com. MultiTracks LLC. November 3, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  7. ^ Wright, Jay (November 3, 2017). "Jay's Musik Blog: Preorder "More" from Jeremy Riddle!". Jay's Musik Blog. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Sparkman, Kevin (November 27, 2017). "Jeremy Riddle – 'More' album review – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Major, Chris (December 18, 2017). "Jeremy Riddle's 'More' Inspires Awe And Adoration". The Christian Beat. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Luff, Stephen (September 27, 2019). "Review: More - Jeremy Riddle | Cross Rhythms". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Wright, Jay (November 22, 2017). "More by Jeremy Christian CD Book Reviews | NRTeam Member jaysmusikblog | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  12. ^ "Jeremy Riddle More From Bethel Music - Sharefaith Magazine". Sharefaith Magazine. Sharefaith Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Asker, Jim (December 1, 2017). "Skillet's Reissued 'Unleashed' Soars on Top Christian Albums Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved November 24, 2018. 'MORE' FROM RIDDLE: More, the new solo set from Jeremy Riddle, pastor and worship leader for the Redding, Calif.-based collective Bethel Music, enters Top Christian Albums at No. 4 with 5,000 units. Riddle's second top 10 (and first on his own since he joined Bethel Music in 2011) follows his 2015 No. 1 Sing Along 3, billed as by Phil Wickham with Kari Jobe, Shane & Shane and Riddle.
  14. ^ "Digital Albums Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. December 9, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  15. ^ "Independent Albums | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. December 9, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "More: Jeremy Riddle - Christianbook.com". Christianbook.com. 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  17. ^ "PraiseCharts | "More" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  18. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Even If (All the More)" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  19. ^ "PraiseCharts | "It Only Gets Stronger" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  20. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Overwhelming" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  21. ^ "PraiseCharts | "All Hail King Jesus" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  22. ^ "PraiseCharts | "No Fear in Your Love" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  23. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Holy Ground" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  24. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Sing to My Heart" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  25. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Love on Fire" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  26. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Shadow" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  27. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Made in Love" Sheet Music (Jeremy Riddle)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  28. ^ a b "More by Jeremy Riddle on Spotify". Spotify. 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  29. ^ "More - Jeremy Riddle | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  30. ^ "ARIA Digital Albums Chart.pdf?seq=13" (PDF). ARIA. Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. November 27, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  31. ^ "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. November 30, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  32. ^ "Jeremy Riddle Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  33. ^ "Jeremy Riddle Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  34. ^ "Jeremy Riddle Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2017.

External links edit