Add to the Beauty

Description

Add to the Beauty is the sixth album by the American singer and songwriter Sara Groves, released on INO Records in October 2005. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic, a division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The album was produced by Brown Bannister. Add to the Beauty was voted Album of the Year by CCM Magazine.

Sara Groves has made a habit of taking inspiration from those in her immediate circle. Add to the Beauty draws on the experiences of her grandparents, who habitually visit prisoners, a friend who has contributed greatly to the rebirth of the Rwandan economy, and a couple who repaired their marriage after all was thought lost. This circle of spiritual friends and family have helped to spur on Add to the Beauty, which longtime Groves fan will likely perceive as a return to the style of previous discs such as Conversations, perhaps her career highlight.

This is almost a concept disc, full of stories about those who do what the title suggest, living out their Christianity, and attempting to shine a light in the world, rather than curse the darkness. Still other tunes are a plaintive wish for the rest of us to “get it” and join those efforts. «When it Was Over» paints a picture of a broken marriage, and love ultimately revealing what it could do even in the worst of situations. «You Are the Sun» reminds us that it is impossible to add anything good to the world without reflecting Christ. The latter showcases Groves’ vocals, which can best be described as Miranda Stone meets Shawn Colvin.

«Just Showed Up», co-written with Joel Hanson (PFR), is more upbeat, yet demands that we live our lives fully, without ‘just showing up’. «Loving a Person» is about the need to love the unlovely, and therefore follow Christ’s command to love one another. «Why It Matters» was inspired by a conversation Groves had with Charlie Peacock, wondering whether her career choice meant something or not.

«It’s Going to be Alright» is described as an “adult lullaby,” and is offered as a comfort in trying times. «Something Changed» could be a response to a song Groves did on The Other Side of Something called «Like a Skin», and realizes that healing has taken place, even before the heart was aware of it.

Add to the Beauty is the most piano driven Groves album to date. Produced by Brown Bannister, and featuring veterans like Gordon Kennedy, Scott Dente, and Jerry McPherson, it is a perfect blend of musicians and vocals, one never overshadowing the other. The title itself is not only a suggestion, but a wish and demand for the listener to obey the commands of Christ. Or as Rich Mullins once said, “I am not sure we need to have a Heaven here on Earth, but I am positive we do not need to have a Hell here on Earth.” This album offers hope, and celebrates those who would do what the title says: Add to the Beauty. I will renew my call here for Sara Groves (and Derek Webb, for that matter) to be included in next year’s Cornerstone Festival, preferably on the Gallery Stage. This is simply a wonderful album. [Brian A. Smith, The Phantom Tollbooth, 10 September 2005]

This gem came out at the end of 2005 and although not quite the best album of the year rather preposterously claimed by CCM magazine it is undoubtedly a very fine set which shows the American singer/songwriter at the top of her game. Sara’s voice, always haunting, is here at times positively goose-bump-inducing, due to producer Brown Bannister’s close mic-ing, while the stacked harmonies on songs like «You Are The Sun» are breathtaking and worthy of 2nd Chapter Of Acts at their best. Throughout the piano is the principle instrument and with some of Nashville’s finest session players bringing out the nuances of her melodies and with always thought-provoking lyrics which more than once take the form of story telling narratives this is pop of undeniable intelligence. The songs «When It Was Over» and «It’s Going To Be Alright» have already been turntable hits on Cross Rhythms. If by any chance you’ve missed out on this one I suggest you get your order in now. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, June 2007]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/add-to-the-beauty/192655428)

CD tracklist:

01. When It Was Over – 5:44
02. Just Showed Up for My Own Life – 4:35
03. You Are the Sun – 5:15
04. It’s Going to Be Alright – 5:37
05. Add to the Beauty – 4:13
06. Rewrite This Tragedy – 5:10
07. Something Changed – 3:45
08. How Can I Tell? – 4:03
09. To the Moon – 1:27
10. Kingdom Comes – 4:58
11. Why It Matters – 3:49
12. Loving a Person – 3:51
13. When It Was Over (Reprise) – 6:25

Note: The double-sided discs (DualDisc) features an audio album of one side and a DVD on the other. The DVD contains the entire studio album, a documentary about the singer’s mercy mission to the Deep South in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and footage of an in-store concert. Remastered and re-issued on both CD and 12-inch vinyl LP by Galaxy21 Music in 2025, featuring three new songs.