As Sure as the Sun

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As Sure as the Sun
AsSureastheSun.jpg
Studio album by Ellie Holcomb
Released February 18, 2014 (2014-02-18)
Recorded 2013
Studio The Beehive (Nashville, TN), Townsend Sound (Franklin, TN), The Trophy Room (Nashville, TN)
Genre Contemporary Christian music, contemporary worship music, acoustic
Length 38:43
Label Full Heart (independent)
Producer Brown Bannister, Ben Shive
Ellie Holcomb chronology
As Sure as the Sun
(2014)		 With You Now
(2013)With You Now2013

As Sure as the Sun is the debut studio album from the Christian singer and songwriter Ellie Holcomb. The album released on February 18, 2014 by Full Heart Music, which is her own independent label. The album was produced by her father noted Christian music producer Brown Bannister along with Ben Shive. This album has received critical acclaim from music critics and it attained significant commercial sales.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 4/5 stars[1]
CCM Magazine 5/5 stars[2]
Christian Music Review 4/5 stars[3]
Christian Music Zine 4.5/5 stars[4]
Cross Rhythms 9/10 squares[5]
Indie Vision Music 4/5 stars[6]
Jesus Freak Hideout 4/5 stars[7]
4/5 stars[8]
4/5 stars[9]
Jesus Wired 8/10 stars[10]
Louder Than the Music 5/5 stars[11]
New Release Tuesday 4.5/5 stars[12]
Worship Leader 4.5/5 stars[13]

As Sure as the Sun garnered critical acclaim from fourteen music critics ratings and reviews. David Jeffries of AllMusic rated the album four stars out of five, remarking that the release is "A superb, often stunning, debut."[1] At CCM Magazine, Matt Conner rated the album a perfect five stars, writing that the release "is a beautiful triumphant album that will undoubtedly stand as this years favorites."[2] Amanda Furbeck of Worship Leader rated the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, stating that the release comes with "an uplifting, light-hearted acoustic feel, gently blurring the lines between light pop and country styles" on which "features hope-filled vocals, a hint of country/bluegrass instrumentation, and pop-styled piano riffs."[13] Chris Webb remarks for Cross Rhythms that "This is an album of variation, light and shade, grayscale and colour, a warm welcome into the world of Elllie Holcomb."[5]

At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre rated the album four stars out of five, saying that "Each song, while not necessarily as pop or rock as many songs are on the radio, still speaks volumes of truths to us as we hear it."[6] Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday rated the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, writing that "This is truly a great album and a moving and prayerful worship experience" on which contains "captivating and catchy songs filled with inspirational lyrics."[12] At Christian Music Review, Amanda Brogan rated the album four stars out of five, stating that Holcomb "shines" on "a wonderfully positive alternative for those who already enjoy the southern-styled genre and holds words of undeniable life even for those who would generally choose a different form of music."[3] Joshua Andre of Christian Music Zine rated the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, calling this a "stellar effort, and near flawless arrangements of quality treasures" to behold.[4]

At Jesus Freak Hideout, they have three reviews on the album, and all were four stars out of five, from Jen Rose, Mark Geil and Roger Gelwicks. Rose states that the album is not one demanding "attention" nor a "groundbreaking" effort, however on the release Holcomb "uses [...] her raw writing material" to create tracks, which "have a way of gently sneaking into your heart after a while."[7] Geil writes that due to the usage of a contemporary vocal style that could be a setback for the album, yet he notes "Few will be bothered by it, but the affectation is really unnecessary and seems to distract from the sweet purity in the vocal underneath. Regardless, this is one fine album!"[8] Gelwicks says that "there is a sense of harmonic completeness that keeps the project afloat from beginning to end; it's rootsy and home-grown, but it's polished, attractive, and above all, worshipful."[9]

Louder Than the Music's Jono Davies rated the album a perfect five stars, and according to him "There is a clean, fresh sound to these songs which make you feel this isn't just an artist copying another artist, this is Ellie singing her stories and her feelings on one amazing album."[11] At Jesus Wired, Jessica Morris rated the album eight out of ten stars, affirming that Holcomb "does not disappoint" because the release contains "stunning vocal control and truthful lyrics".[10] Timothy Yap at Hallels gave a positive review of the album, remarking that "Ultimately, there are songs that entertain and there are songs that transform via Scripture", and this release marks a rarity because the listener "will get both on one record."[14] At The Sound Opinion, Andrew Greenhalgh gave a positive review of the album, noting that the album is not one that is revolutionary, but it is a release "that is warm and honest in every way".[15]

Awards and accolades

The album was No. 5 on the Worship Leader's Top 5 Community Funded and Indie Releases of 2014 list.[16]

Commercial performance

For the Billboard charting week of March 8, 2014, As Sure as the Sun was the No. 34 most sold album in the entirety of the United States via the Billboard 200 placement, and it was the No. 2 most sold album on the Christian Albums chart. In addition, the album was the No. 7 most sold of the Independent Albums.

Track listing

Tracklist
No. Title Writer(s) Scripture(s) utilized Length
1. "As Sure as the Sun"   Ellie Holcomb, Rusty Varenkamp Hosea 6:3 and Lamentations 3:21-24 3:23
2. "Marvelous Light"   Holcomb, Varenkamp 1 Peter 2:9 3:11
3. "The Broken Beautiful"   Holcomb, Matt Armstrong Isaiah 61:1-4 and Psalm 30:11 2:46
4. "My Portion and My Strength"   Holcomb Psalm 73:21-26 3:39
5. "Night Song"   Holcomb, Christa Wells, Nicole Witt Psalm 42:8 4:17
6. "Love Never Fails"   Holcomb, Varenkamp 1 Corinthians 13 3:29
7. "Love Broke Through"   Holcomb, Armstrong Psalm 30 and Colossians 1:13-20 3:53
8. "Only Hope I've Got"   Holcomb, Varenkamp, Witt Psalm 130:3-7 3:22
9. "The Valley"   Holcomb Psalm 23 and Psalm 69:1-17 3:48
10. "Song of Deliverance"   Holcomb, Jillian Edwards Psalm 32:6-7 and Hosea 6:1 4:00
11. "I Want to Be Free"   Holcomb Galatians 5:1 and John 8:36 2:55
Total length:
 38:43

Personnel

The music was recorded during 2013 at The Beehive and The Trophy Room in Nashville, Tennessee and at Townsend Sound in nearby Franklin, Tennessee.

Chart performance

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[17] 34
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[18] 2
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[19] 7

References

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  17. ↑ "Ellie Holcomb – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Ellie Holcomb. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Ellie Holcomb – Chart history" Billboard Christian Albums for Ellie Holcomb. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Ellie Holcomb – Chart history" Billboard Independent Albums for Ellie Holcomb. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
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