http://www.sendspace.com/file/xab3f7 (song link)
Hensley - “Beyond”
By Douglas Lancaster
“The one thing I am certain of, is where I’m going, but finding the words to describe my purpose is like opening up a book that never ends.” -Hensley.
We all search for comfort in many ways, such as music, movies, writing, art and even the negative impact of expression as well. It was once said that “music makes the people come together” and it’s very true. Within our desires we find that music can heal us, it can protect us and it can make us explode on the dance floor. There are many genres of music that have fan bases all over the world. Today, I would like to introduce you to someone who will be part of your musical future as well as he is mine.
Hensley will be a fresh face to most, yet a familiar face to his already rapidly growing fan base. I recently found out about Hensley by pure coincidence by a search on Twitter for someone else. I clicked on his Twitter page, followed it to his music website, listened to the clips and I was at iTunes all within minutes.
His debut release, “Beyond,” has been on repeat on my iPod for a week now. The words I will use to describe this amazing freshman disc will hope guide you to follow your heart and your emotions just as Hensley himself has with this powerful, lyrical release. This is just my pure words on his release, only you can make your own decision on the power of this talent.
A little background of Hensley first - to get to the know man behind the music. After doing some research while listening to him on my iPod; I found that he started writing music at the age of 15. He began to add piano then guitar. He used those instruments to start his writing and singing career which led to his path to where he is at today. When you first listen to his cd, “Beyond,” you will notice there are some other vocalists out in the music industry that he can be compared too yet his own passion and desire puts him in a league of his own. If you wanted to put him in a category or genre, he would be along side Coldplay, Radiohead and U2 from my own ears.
His vocals are set aside in a more angelic nature; his music will uplift you and to captivate you to a place where he was while writing these songs. I have listened to this cd about twenty times honestly and I hear a story within each song; each song having it’s own plot, beginning and ending.
The release, “Beyond“ is composed of eleven tracks; all with their own unique blend of faith, spirit, passion and love. His first single, “Beautiful” is him singing out to this beautiful entity and the desire to be loved; a thank you to this entity for what was given back to him. Another favorite track is “Hollow”; it is a quiet and peaceful song that while questioning the faith he’s yet seeking love; waiting for the love that may have been lost; while feeling hollow within; questioning why he feels this way and to find a way to fill that void and know it’s right there within; singing “How long will you take, from my soul and never change? I feel my heart moving on and all these tears are coming strong.”
The first track, “Light” really speaks to me as I have always felt the need to seek “light” in my own life; in this song Hensley questions where we are heading in this life and gathering everyone together to go into the light and stay away from the darkness; The anthem, “Follow,” asks everyone to follow and sing along the song of life and faith; the music starts out so simple and pure; then the beat kicks in and you will be singing this in your car and “follow” him on the path as you are on your own path. Your own interpretation of who is saying “Follow Me” is up to the listener as in my ears it can be more than just the artist himself as well.
The track, “Beyond”, the words speak from the beyond; the unknown; what is out there that we can’t see but we can feel and embrace into our own spirit; the beat will have you feeling your own spirit dance within, I guarantee. “Helicopter” is an eye opening song about the world we live in now that the world is falling apart; no one know how to fix it and save Earth that we were given to live on; surrendering ourselves to the heavens above to help us and wonder when this will all be over; the rhythm and vocals are great as Hensley puts in an electronic vocal into the verses that puts a great spin on the song. It’s his vision of what is happening in our failing world today and what we can do. “Believe” is what the word is; which is to “believe” and everything is going to be okay; have faith and put your heart into anything and it shall happen; whether it be yourself, love, your family; just believe and it will work itself out, give it time. “Greenlights” is yet another one where we see all the lights, stop, go, yield in our life; and we must keep going forward with the green lights as there are no red lights in life unless you make them.
“Taken” to me is a love song to his beautiful wife, Christel, in which God brought them two together for eternity; but the lyrics are so beautiful and warm; shows that with faith and power of God; and in time; you will be “taken” and God will bring person to you while you can’t make it happen. His songs can be taken in many different directions, can be something personal with someone as special as a loved one, or even with his walk with God, and even both together.
“Alright” is a song of determination where you can put your mind at ease knowing everything will be alright; his vocals in this are so amazing and shows a different side of the talent and instrument he was given; a great beat as well to make you move and have faith while your iPod is a rockin’
Lastly, “Shout” is a song that you will want to learn by heart and sing it out aloud for yourself and move your body and don’t be afraid or embarrassed just let yourself go and sing in front of your bedroom mirror or in the car; the lyrics will uplift you and put you in a great mood putting you in the mindset that it’s just the beginning if you only try and “shout” it out loud and it will happen!
I’ve never really reviewed anyone’s music let alone someone as special as Hensley. I highly recommend you going to his websites listed below and reach out to pick up this amazing release; this is just the beginning of an amazing talent that God has gave us to vocalize his spirit and now we are the ones to receive the gift of the only one…Hensley.
Thank you Hensley for everything!
http://www/hensleymusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theartisthensley
http://www.youtube.com/user/THEARTISTHENSLEY
http://www.twitter.com/hensleymusic 
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