Rich Mullins "Never Picture Perfect"
by Devlin Donaldson
CCM Magazine March 1990
The hype says Rich Mullins is a poet for the common man. While that does in fact turn out to be true, I believe he is the poet for the uncommon man as well. He reaches deep within himself and exposes feeling everyone can relate to. Last year's Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth was a strong album, Never Picture Perfect is an even better one. Here is the voice of a man who has found himself, found his God, and found a big world in need of mercy.
Mullins is keenly and personally aware of the brokenness in our world ("I Will Sing," "While The Nations Rage," "Bound To Come Some Trouble") but
is able to praise God for His goodness ("Hope To Carry On," "Alrightokuhuhamen," "The Love of God") and sees God's mercy applied in the everyday world
more clearly than in spectacular "sign" miracles ("First Family").
Sometimes Mullins' music sounds a bit derivitave to me, but that's easy to forgive because he brings back all the feelings I had when I first
found Christian music, the excitement of music that articulated my faith and it's working out in my life. Never Pitcure Perfect is a great album.
It's what Christian music is supposed to be all about.
Rich Mullins "Never Picture Perfect"
by ???
Campus Life Magazine January 1991
Editor's Choice Survey: The Best
Any time a singer or songwriter honestly faces up to the sometimes harsh realities of life; when he sees the hand of God, even in the center of turmoill when he picks up the cause of the oppressed, the downcast and the underprivileged; that music deserves attention. When the artist also makes a convincing case for hope; when he compellingly portrays the love of Godl when he gives dignity to the forgottenl that music deserves respect. When the material is skillfully concieved, convincingly performed and creatively produced, that music marks an artistic event. Rich Mullins demonstrates a gift that borders at times on brilliance.
