Brothers Keeper - Beyond Beautiful

By Peggy Oliver

Training Union/Ardent

It could be tempting just to crank out studio projects to keep the fans’ interest perked. After the second CD, “Cover Me”, Brothers Keeper’s plan was for God to take charge of their agenda. Now that “Beyond Beautiful” is headed out of the gate, much has transpired. In a fairly short period of time, group members kept their hands in several ministry endeavors, such as a cruise company emphasizing Christian entertainment and themes. As part of the Christian Youth Movement, BK’s traveled to Honduras for a mission trip plus an extended music DVD. The Memphis, Tennessee trio (Philip Enzor, John Sanders, and Gabe Dunlap) originally performed acapella in their high school days, eventually signing to Ardent Records with a self-titled effort released in 1999. They have been featured with Ginny Owens, Newsboys, and Salvador, plus appearances at various professional sports events.

The title track and opening single gets the ball rolling, anticipating what the Father has done and more: “You’re everything those eyes hope to see.”

“You made me a new Creation.” Once we’re born into His family, “Flying Thru The Clouds” dons a new creation and new purpose: “I’m off the ground and I won’t look down.”

“He Took The Scars”, slated for the next single, means bearing everything we struggle with on His shoulders: “Jesus took the scars and left us with the healing.” The vocal crescendos excel acknowledging this extraordinary feat.

Passionate cries break open the celebration worship piece, “Passion”. Inserting some East Indian overtones, the consuming desire to serve the One who died for us rattles the speakers.

Some of today’s respected vocalists on the Christian scene stand alongside to “speak the truth in love” for “Walk With Me”. Contributors include David Phelps, Russ Lee, and Bob Carlisle.

“Give It Away” states be responsible to relay the Good News for someone waiting for life’s voids to be filled: “Set it free like a beautiful butterfly.”

Displaying witty analogies in songwriting, “Rich In Love” reaches way back in the fairy tale archives, late 1600’s to be exact. Comparing the small and tall to demonstrate relationships courtesy of “Gulliver’s Travels”: “Like the king of the giants something taller, looking down on the Lilliputians something smaller.”

Where “hopeless hearts were changed for good”, sacrifices were made on our behalf from the precious “Cross of Christ.”

“Soap” may keep our body sanitary, but can never cleanse our insides from the guilt we experience like Christ can. Through a laid-back funk swaying a la Justin Timberlake with a tongue-in-cheek swagger, an amusing rap (“soap on a rope”) is served up, a repeat gesture used on “Be Like You” from “Cover Me”.

Even if it seems a bit “crazy”, “Noah” and the boat built for all the animals was a lesson in shear obedience. (Genesis 6-8).

Between the rip-roaring harmonies and jangling guitars, much of “Beyond Beautiful” will attract Contemporary Christian radio. This is due to producers Regie Hamm, who has crafted atmospheres for veteran hit makers Carlisle, Phelps, and others, and Kevin Paige (who also worked on “Cover Me”). Brothers Keeper may not exude a lot of originality musically, however like everything they’ve recorded and ministries outside the studio, they remind us God’s attributes uphold us in the long run. That’s internal beauty in motion.

Go to www.brotherskeeperonline.com for the group’s journal tracking the music DVD and other events.