These Simple Truths
2009 studio album by Sidewalk Prophets
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These Simple Truths is the first major-label studio album by the Contemporary Christian music band Sidewalk Prophets. It was released by Word Records on August 25, 2009. It features the hit radio singles "The Words I Would Say" and "You Love Me Anyway."
- Quad Studios and Little Big Sound (Nashville, Tennessee)
- The Holiday Ian (Franklin, Tennessee)
| These Simple Truths | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 25, 2009 | |||
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| Genre | Christian pop | |||
| Length | 40:49 | |||
| Label | Word/Curb | |||
| Producer | Ian Eskelin | |||
| Sidewalk Prophets chronology | ||||
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| Deluxe Edition Cover | ||||
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| Singles from These Simple Truths | ||||
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"The Words I Would Say" is featured on the Christian music compilation albums WOW Hits 2010 and WOW Hits 2011.
Critical reception
Christian Music Review's Kevin Davis said, "this is a very solid debut album and fans of Rascal Flatts, 33Miles and Julian Drive will greatly enjoy Sidewalk Prophets."[1][2] He considered it "one of the best debut albums I’ve heard this year."[1][2]
Cross Rhythms' Paul Kerslake said, "this is full of catchy, poignant and impacting songs... an essential release".[3]
Jesus Freak Hideout's Scott Fryberger said, "It's safe to say that Sidewalks Prophets have an album on their hands that will be fairly popular on AC radio. Just about every song has 'hit song' potential."[4] Furthermore, Fryberger wrote that the album "is happy, encouraging and, overall, not too shabby. At times, the lyrics lack in songwriting quality, but definitely not in substance. A good recommendation for fans of any of the aforementioned bands, or Christian hit radio in general."[4]
Louder Than The Music Suzanne Physick said, "while some may shun this album for its lack of creativity, those who just appreciate good music and honest beautifully written sentiments will love this new offering from a truly great band."[5] She cited "Show Me How to Love", "You Love Me Anyway" and "You Will Never Leave Me" as the standout songs.[5]
Praise Charts CMSpin said, "Whether you like your music up tempo in the pop/rock vein, or piano driven and melodic, you'll be very satisfied after listening to the music that's found on These Simple Truths."[6] Plus, CMSpin called the 'Favorite Songs' on the album the following: "Just Might Change Your Life", "The Words I Would Say", "Give It All Away", "Lay Down My Life".[6]
Accolades
In 2010, the album was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just Might Change Your Life" | David Frey, Ben McDonald, Sam Mizell | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Show Me How to Love" | Frey, McDonald, Mizell | 3:37 |
| 3. | "You Can Have Me" | Frey, Jason Ingram, McDonald | 3:49 |
| 4. | "The Words I Would Say" | Frey, McDonald, Mizell | 3:18 |
| 5. | "Moving All the While" | Frey, McDonald, Anthony Shay Watson | 3:44 |
| 6. | "For What It's Worth" | Scott Davis, Frey, McDonald | 3:39 |
| 7. | "You Love Me Anyway" | Mark Delaverone, Frey, McDonald | 4:20 |
| 8. | "All Things New" | Frey, McDonald, Mizell | 3:50 |
| 9. | "You Will Never Leave Me" | Ian Eskelin, Frey, McDonald, Tony Wood | 2:47 |
| 10. | "Give It All Away" | Eskelin, Frey, McDonald, Watson | 4:07 |
| 11. | "Lay Down My Life" | Eskelin, Frey, McDonald | 4:27 |
| 12. | "Change This Heart" | Frey, McDonald | 2:58 |
| Total length: | 40:49 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Know That You Are Loved" | Frey, McDonald, Shaun Shankel | 3:43 |
| 13. | "You Love Me Anyway (Lealand House Sessions)" | Delaverone, Frey, McDonald | 4:27 |
| 14. | "The Words I Would Say (Lealand House Sessions)" | Frey, McDonald, Mizell | 3:42 |
| Total length: | 55:38 | ||
Personnel
Sidewalk Prophets
- David Frey – lead vocals
- Ben McDonald – guitars
- Cal Joslin – bass
- Justin Nace – drums
Additional musicians
- Ben Shive – keyboards
- Aaron Shannon – programming
- Tim Lauer – additional keyboards (3, 5, 7), accordion (3, 5, 7)
- Mike Payne – guitars
- John Catchings – cello (4, 7, 11)
- Kristin Wilkinson – viola (4, 7, 11)
- David Angell – violin (4, 7, 11)
- David Davidson – violin (4, 7, 11), string arrangements (4, 7, 11)
Production
- Josh Bailey – A&R direction
- Ian Eskelin – producer (1–11)
- Shaun Shankel – producer (12–14)
- Barry Weeks – additional vocal production, vocal recording
- Aaron Shannon – recording
- Jeff Pitzer – string recording (4, 7, 11)
- Ben Phillips – additional Pro Tools editing
- F. Reid Shippen – mixing at Robot Lemon (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Buckley Miller – mix assistant
- Andrew Mendelson – mastering at Georgetown Masters (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Natthaphol Abhigantaphand – mastering assistant
- Shelly Anderson – mastering assistant
- Daniel Bacigalupi – mastering assistant
- Jason Jenkins – A&R administration
- Katherine Petillo – creative director
- Alexis Goodman – design
- iStockphoto.com – cover illustration
- Tec Petaja – photography
- BrickHouse Entertainment – management
Charts
Album
The standard version of the album failed to chart. The deluxe version charted as follows:[8]
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Hot Christian Albums | 15[9] |
| Billboard Heatseekers Albums | 5[10] |
Singles
| Song | Peak position |
|---|---|
| The Words I Would Say | 3 US Billboard Christian Singles[11] |
| You Can Have Me | 16 US Billboard Christian Singles[12] |
| You Love Me Anyway | 2 US Billboard Christian Singles[13] 1 BDSRadio Charts AC Christian Airplay[14] |