Take Over

Aaron Shust's firm, slightly croaky vocal manner is tempered by humility, while his songwriting expresses reverence in universal yet personal terms. Shust knows his strengths and avoids playing against them, and his third album Take Over mostly remains within atmospheric midtempo pop/rock terrain. The title track and “Rest In the Arms” work especially well in this mode, expressing a sense of spiritual rescue with a mixture of tenderness and awe. Largely avoiding bombast, Shust embraces tasteful sonic simplicity on piano-centered tracks like “Breathe In Me” and acoustic guitar-based tunes like “Carry Me Home.” Adding a homespun touch is “Ever After,” a wry number that dispels illusions as it reaffirms God’s majesty. Ian Eskelin, Jason Ingram, and Brandon Heath are among the noteworthy Christian songwriters who contributed to the album’s tunes. Ultimately, the album rises or falls upon Shust’s presence as a singer and his ability to make his faith seem alive and vital. By that standard, Take Over is a solid success.