The Medicine is the debut studio album by Christian singer-songwriter John Mark McMillan, released on July 6, 2010, by Integrity Music. McMillan is the producer on the album.
| The Medicine | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 6, 2010 | |||
| Genre | Contemporary worship music, contemporary Christian music, Christian rock | |||
| Length | 69:45 | |||
| Label | Integrity | |||
| Producer | McMillan | |||
| John Mark McMillan chronology | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Blue Indian | 9.3/10[1] |
| CCM Magazine |   [2] |
| Christianity Today | [3] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [4] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [5] [6] |
The Medicine garnered acclaim from several music critics. At CCM Magazine, Andrew Greer rated the album four stars, writing that it is "full of heartbreaking hooks, provocative melodies and poetic verses."[2] Peter Timmis of Cross Rhythms rated the album nine out of ten squares, stating, "The album's Americana vibe may come as a surprise to those who only know of JMM through his worship hit ["How He Loves"] but sceptics will soon be won over by the big choruses, gritty vocals and gripping lyrics on offer here."[4] At Christianity Today, John Brandon rated the album three stars out of five: "Pounding drums, soaring guitar solos, and a classic-rock vocal delivery make this an eclectic, but appealing, listen."[3]
At Jesus Freak Hideout, Garrett DeRossett rated the album four and a half stars, affirming that "All in all, a listen through The Medicine is highly worth your money, time, and thought [...] in fact, you may leave the experience with more of the latter than you began."[5] Roger Gelwicks of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album four stars, noting, "All things considered, however, The Medicine is artistic, reverent, and accomplished, and is more than a significant step in the right direction both for McMillan and the modern worship scene as a whole."[6] At The Blue Indian, Holly Etchison rated the album a 9.3 out of ten, proclaiming that the release "serves as a vibrant message to a weary people", and calling it "essential music for a time of nonessentials."[1]
Commercial performance
editFor the Billboard charting week of July 24, 2010, The Medicine ranked No. 185 on the Billboard 200 (out of all albums sold in the United States) and No. 8 on Billboard's chart of Top Christian Albums.
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by John Mark McMillan
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Reckoning Day" | 4:07 |
| 2. | "The Medicine" | 3:34 |
| 3. | "Skeleton Bones" | 7:09 |
| 4. | "Carbon Ribs" | 4:11 |
| 5. | "Dress Us Up" | 8:43 |
| 6. | "Death In His Grave" | 5:54 |
| 7. | "Belly of the Lion" | 3:45 |
| 8. | "Philadelphia" | 4:27 |
| 9. | "Out of the Ground" | 4:17 |
| 10. | "Ten Thousand" | 4:49 |
| 11. | "Carolina Tide" | 3:42 |
| 12. | "My Only" | 5:25 |
| 13. | "Between the Cracks" | 4:56 |
| 14. | "How He Loves (single)" | 4:46 |
| Total length: | 69:45 | |
Charts
edit| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[7] | 185 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard)[8] | 8 |
References
edit- ^ a b Etchison, Holly (July 5, 2010). "John Mark McMillan's "The Medicine"". The Blue Indian. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ^ a b Greer, Andrew (July 1, 2010). "John Mark McMillan: The Medicine (Integrity)". CCM Magazine. p. 38. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ^ a b Brandon, John (July 6, 2010). "John Mark McMillan: The Medicine". Christianity Today. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ^ a b Timmis, Peter (June 6, 2011). "Review: The Medicine (Re-issue) - John Mark McMillan". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ^ a b DeRossett, Garrett (December 14, 2010). "John Mark McMillan, "The Medicine" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ^ a b Gelwicks, Roger (November 26, 2010). "John Mark McMillan, "The Medicine" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ^ "John Mark McMillan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ^ "John Mark McMillan Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2014.