If I'm assigning 5 stars to excellent CD's, I'd probably give this one six stars. Not only is Nathan Shore an amazing guitar player who played acoustic and/or lead on every song, he also wrote or co-wrote every track. Nathan Shore, a Nashville native, just graduated high school from Donelson Christian Academy and is 17 years old. Unfortunately he had to record his first CD still wearing braces on his teeth; it was a big challenge but he more than rose to the occasion and did an excellent job. It is rumored that he assisted his producer C. Kim Shrum, of Dream Music Studio in Nashville, with production on this CD as well.

Let me paint a summary picture and say that "Shine Your Lights" sounds like John Mayer is 17 years old again, but he is a God fearing young man who wants to infuse positive energy into other people's lives through his songs and his music and knows how to evoke hopeful emotion in his listener; truly a CD that creates a desire to hear more from this talented young Christian artist.

The listener's emotional journey through "Shine Your Lights" begins with the encouraging and strong spiritual message of "One." "You are the one who keeps me going, keeps me knowing that your love is in a thousand places…"

During a recent interview, Nathan stated that track #2 "Indiana" was inspired by the tornadoes that ripped through the country in March of 2012. "Tell all the people around you, how much you love them, before it's too late."

"Lights" track #3 and the title song of this CD, is a song of surrender and calling out to God, asking Him to shine His lights on every situation of life and includes a rap. My favorite line in "Lights" says, "Let your love wreck my life." 

Track #4, Deep Roots, is an instrumental showcasing Nathan's melodic talents as well as his acoustic guitar skill and ability to take us to a peaceful place with his music that refreshes our spirits. In fact, the whole CD is filled with electric and acoustic delights that I can't get enough of.

The production on this CD is simple and raw; it is not over produced as is the case with so much of today's music. Little imperfections have been purposely left alone because they convey an element of realness and emotion not often found in our medicated society and gives a feel of a live performance by Nathan Shore.

Who has not dreamed of, prayed for, or imagined that an Army Of Angels was locked and loaded ready to help them in this crazy life?  "Army Of Angels" track #5, is probably the most powerful song on the CD and the most fully produced song, sounding like there really is an Army Of Angels coming to the rescue.

The sweetness of track #6, "Come On In" is enhanced by Nathan's Mom singing harmony on this worship song which she also co-wrote with Nathan.

The Bonus Track is just a demo of "Resist The Lie" which ends with a killer guitar solo but begins with a message to those who are tempted to believe the lies of the world, to resist them instead and allow painful growth to take them to a better place. If I had to claim only one sweet spot on this CD, it would be the guitar solo for "Resist The Lie".

During this recording of Nathan Shore's first CD "Shine Your Lights" his grandmother gave him his great-grandfather's 1954 Martin 015 acoustic guitar as a graduation present. The front of the guitar has holes in it because at one time it had an electric pick-up installed and the volume and tone knobs were placed on the face of the guitar. Nathan used his great-grandfather's guitar on two songs: "Come On In" and "Resist The Lie."

Please feel free to get to know Nathan Shore a little better by listening to a recent interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNoT1Gs4Jz4

To order the CD "Shine Your Lights" please send your love offering and mailing information to:

Dream Music Group, Attn: Order Shine Your Lights, PO Box 158424, Nashville TN 37215