"Open Hands" by Laura Story + Giveaway

Let me tell you a little story ... last Monday, I got home from work and found Laura Story's new album Open Hands in my mailbox. I went inside and proceeded to spend an incredibly frustrating hour on the phone with the company that manufactured my now-broken television and the company I purchased an extended warranty from. Both phone calls ended unsatisfactorily (you can see my Facebook rant here if you're interested), and once I hung up the phone, I knew I needed to do something to lower my blood pressure. So I popped in the CD. Immediately, I felt myself beginning to calm down. And then I was captivated by the music I heard.

"exhale" by plumb + giveaway

Sometimes, first impressions are deceiving. Such is the case with me and the recording artist Plumb ...

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EXHALE, the seventh studio album from acclaimed multi-genre singer, songwriter, and author PLUMB, expresses a new focus and vision. After the runaway success of NEED YOU NOW (the album, title track, and book), which coincided with her own moving story of brokenness and ultimately healing, EXHALE brims with worshipful songs of gratitude and hope.

The defining concept of EXHALE was born from a sermon at Plumb’s home church, wherein her pastor Pete Wilson expressed the notion that the Church doesn’t exist for itself. Rather, believers come to church to breathe in grace and truth, be changed, and then go out and “exhale” that hope into their surrounding community.

“That idea of exhaling hope hit me right away and I couldn't get to the Notes section on my phone fast enough. I started writing the chorus of Exhale right then and there,” explains Plumb. “I have been made new by the ultimate hope, and I want to share and exhale that hope in every way I can.” 

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I was first introduced to Plumb (Tiffany Arbuckle Lee) as a junior in high school. My best friend and I went to a college visit weekend at Grace University, and one of the events on the schedule was a Jars of Clay concert. Plumb was the opening act. (Thanks to the wonders of the interwebs, I've been able to confirm that my memory is correct!) Here's what I remember about her: she wore angel wings, and I was not a fan of her music.

I pretty much wrote Plumb off as an artist I didn't enjoy ... until I heard "I Can't Do This" off of her 2006 Chaotic Resolve album. While I really liked the song, it was the type that I'd enjoy every now and again—it wasn't something I wanted to listen to every day. Flash forward a couple years to the release of "Need You Now" off her 2013 Need You Now album. I was going through a very difficult time healthwise, and I found this song running through my mind quite frequently. I realized at this time that there was more to Plumb than I'd thought...there was a depth and a spiritual yearning.

My connection to "Need You Now" is what prompted me to sign up to review Plumb's new album, Exhale. If I had to choose two words to describe the album, they would be "worshipful" and "hopeful." The lyrics are poetic and reflect a maturity and trust that comes after walking through a valley. Plumb's music has also matured—there's no hint of the harshness or anger that was present in some of her earlier work. That's not to say the songs sound weak or mild; they're strong and beautiful. And, best of all, they point the listener to Christ.

My favorite song, hands down, is "Champion," which speaks of Christ's death and resurrection. I also love "Restored," which talks about how the Lord takes the broken and makes it whole. But who am I kidding? I love all the songs! The music video for the title track just released, so you can get an idea of what this album sounds like:
 Exhale is a five star album, and I'd highly encourage you to check it out. (You can purchase it here.) I'd also encourage you to enter the giveaway! I have a CD copy of Exhale to give away to one of you. Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, better-known by her stage name Plumb, is a songwriter, recording artist, performer and author. Plumb has sold more than 500,000 albums and over two million singles worldwide, co-penned songs for numerous other artists, including Michelle Branch, Mandisa, Mandy Moore, Jaci Velasquez, and Natalie Grant, and had music placed in many films and television shows. Originally signed as a Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) recording artist in 1997, Plumb is now known as well as or better in alternative rock, electronic dance music, and for the use of her music in film and television than she is in the CCM market.

Follow Plumb: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Twitter, Official Instagram

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.