Myself When I Am Real
| Myself When I Am Real | ||||
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| Studio album by Bebo Norman | ||||
| Released | September 10, 2002 | |||
| Genre | Contemporary Christian music, folk | |||
| Length | 49:13 | |||
| Label | Essential | |||
| Producer | Ed Cash, Bebo Norman | |||
| Bebo Norman chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Christianity Today |  |
| Cross Rhythms |   |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | |
| Melodic.net | |
| New Release Tuesday | |
| The Phantom Tollbooth |
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Myself When I Am Real is the third studio album by contemporary Christian musiccian Bebo Norman. The album is the second with Essential Records, and his fourth album overall including his first independent release. This album was released on September 10, 2002, and the producers are Ed Cash and Bebo Norman.
AllMusic's Steve Losey said that "Myself When I Am Real is an exercise in well-produced, acoustically driven folk-pop that presents itself as a powerful package, eliciting one memorable song after another." In addition, Losey wrot that "Myself When I Am Real is the type of disc that offers one powerful melody after another. It's a gift from a powerful performer sharing his talents with the rest of the world."
CCM Magazine's Lisa Tedder said that "Bebo Norman's Myself When I Am Real finds a middle ground between upbeat pop and introspective storytelling."
Christianity Today's Russ Breimeier said that "Myself When I Am Real suffers a little by allowing a mid-tempo folk shuffle to carry most of the songs on the album, a problem also present on Jennifer Knapp's The Way I Am (is it a coincidence that both artist's third national release have similar titles?). It would have helped if Bebo had included a couple upbeat tracks such as 'The Man Inside' or "I Am." On the other hand, Bebo's songwriting skills have developed greatly; this album includes his finest melodies to date. His usually quiet and somewhat raspy baritone voice absolutely soars as he explores a tenor range that you never knew he was capable of singing, especially on 'Great Light of the World' and 'Our Mystery.' Fans of Bebo's music will want to sing along more than ever on these power choruses. Myself When I Am Real is a good album, no better or worse than his previous works. It's interesting that each project has brought a new songwriting skill to the table. Now if he can just bring those skills together – the melodies of this album, the insight of Ten Thousand Days, and the eclecticism of Big Blue Sky – then Bebo Norman could create the perfect pop album.
Cross Rhythms' Trevor Kirk said that "overall, this is a reversion to the gentler feel of 'Ten Thousand Days' after the poppier sound of 'Big Blue Sky', but what hasn't changed is the obvious talent of the man, and this album showcases it perfectly. Highly recommended."
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