The Deep Dive: Andrew Peterson – The Burning Edge of Dawn.
Welcome to an in-depth look at Andrew Peterson’s “The Burning Edge of Dawn.” I hope you have read the overview that was posted last week. We are going to jump right in with a far more detailed look at this album.
The Dark Before the Dawn
On the opening track “The Dark Before the Dawn,” Peterson sings with a hard-won faith:
I’ve been waiting for the sun
“The Dark Before the Dawn”, Andrew Peterson
To come blazing up out of the night like a bullet from a gun
Till every shadow is scattered, every dragon’s on the run
Oh, I believe, I believe that the light is gonna come
And this is the dark, this is the dark before the dawn.
A clanging piano sets the tone, while the rest of the instruments keep a methodical pace. (I do feel compelled to point out how impressive the background vocals are for this album. They add a layer of excellence to the entire recording and deserve acknowledgement in some form.) Peterson has never sounded more confident as a singer. Some of that is age and years of hard work, and some is his steadfast belief in the words he is singing. The song climaxes with the electric guitar soaring and Peterson defiantly singing:
I’m just waiting for a change
“The Dark Before the Dawn”, Andrew Peterson
Lord I am waiting for a change.
Every Star Is a Burning Flame
“Every Star Is a Burning Flame” is a nimble and quick number. The pace is fast and jaunty, with delicate guitar undertones, and a piano-led melody that holds it all together. It is an upbeat and hopeful look into the future. Hints of Paul Simon and David Gray move in and out, yet it never sounds derivative.
We Will Survive
The hammered dulcimer makes its first appearance on the following track, “We Will Survive.” He sings again to his wife, continuing a legacy that has been a part of his music from the beginning. It is a song of hope and grace, with Peterson clinging to his wife and asking her to reassure him that:
there is nothing left to fear
“We Will Survive”, Andrew Peterson
nothing left to hide.
Musically, it is an up-tempo track, with acoustic guitars and the hammered dulcimer setting the tone.
My One Safe Place
“My One Safe Place” follows, and it is easily one of the highlights of the album.
I believe in the love of the Father
“My One Safe Place”, Andrew Peterson
I believe in the power of grace
I believe that He brought us together
and you are my one safe place.
The song has a gentle vibe but builds to a final chorus that is a wonder to hear. Once again, the background vocals are incredibly important in establishing the sound. Musically, acoustic guitars lead the way, with piano, perfectly placed electric guitar, and a wonderfully effective rhythm section.
The Rain Kept Falling
What follows, is Andrew Peterson at his most exposed. “The Rain Kept Falling” is a song of brokenness and pain. Peterson lays his soul bare in a way rarely, if ever, heard. If the album has a spiritual turning point, this is it. This is truly the dark before the dawn.
I tried to be brave but I hid in the dark
“The Rain Kept Falling”, Andrew Peterson
I sat in that cave and I prayed for a spark
To light up all the pain that remained in my heart
And the rain kept falling.
A beautifully composed piano part, moving up and down the scales and reinforcing the rain imagery, a haunting string arrangement, and an echoing percussion build the foundation for “The Rain Kept Falling.” A subtle rhythm section completes the musical structure. Yet the song, even in all of its despair, finds a purchase of hope. Ellie Holcomb (Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors) sings the simple refrain “Peace, be still” over and over. The effect is overwhelming. Peterson continues to ask questions as the song ends, but they are answered again and again with “Peace, be still.” It is easily one of the high points and it signals a change in tone for the rest of the album.
Rejoice
What comes next can best be described as inspiring. “Rejoice” serves as the album’s call to worship. It is Peterson’s way of telling the world, that even in the midst of pain and doubt, we can rejoice. We must rejoice. While he could have gone with understated, he eschews the safe choice, and presents “Rejoice” as a triumphant epic. The song builds to a crescendo of vocals, piano, driving drums, hammered dulcimer, and guitars.
So set your face against the night
“Rejoice”, Andrew Peterson
And raise your broken voice.
Peterson’s greatest gift is his ability to speak to deeper truths. At the moment you feel the album is ripping open the skies, and finally seeing the light of hope, Peterson reveals that, no, the light is still not visible. But he says that this does not matter. “You have to make a choice.” We have to choose to rejoice.
I Want to Say I’m Sorry
What better way to continue to move towards healing than to admit when we are wrong and ask forgiveness. “I Want to Say I’m Sorry” is quiet and intensely personal. It is doubtful we will ever peak behind the curtain to find out what inspired this song, but we don’t need to know the whole story to understand the importance of it. The song has a country/southern vibe, with the slide guitar really standing out.
Be Kind to Yourself
Peterson has always had songs about his family. They are beautiful little glimpses into his life. “Be Kind to Yourself” continues that tradition with amazing results. To make it even better, his nearly teenage daughter Skye sings background vocals on the track.
How does it end when the war that you’re in
“Be Kind to Yourself”, Andrew Peterson
Is it just you against you against you
Gotta learn to love, learn to love
Learn to love your enemies too.
The amazing thing that happens is that even though every word is written for his daughter, each one resonates with any listener with ears to hear. A fascinating blend of acoustic and electric guitar, piano, keyboards, drums, banjo, and ethereal vocals help the song work its magic.
The Power of a Great Affection
“The Power of a Great Affection” is a statement of faith of sorts.
So Father I will give You thanks and praise
“The Power of a Great Affection”, Andrew Peterson
The Son has opened wide the gate of glory
He declared your mighty love and gave His grace
And I will tell his story
It is my story
I’ve been seized by the power of a great affection
Seized by the power of a great affection.
Once again, the song is structured around the piano. The cello complements the melody and adds little touches of elegance. There is a full band sound by the end with guitars, bass, and drums joining in. It is still low-key, but effective in what it sets out to accomplish. Thematically, this song brings the album full circle. Peterson acknowledges the supremacy of God in his life, and that serves as his foundation even in the tough times.
The Sower’s Song
Closing the album is “The Sower’s Song.” For me, it is the highlight of the album. The climax in every way. Lyrically, Peterson has never been better. Musically, this is his majestic opus. It is orchestral in structure and production. The song begins with a simple melody, but switches abruptly at the two-minute mark, transforming itself into something more intense, more passionate. Then it builds. And builds. I do not have the words to describe the swirling, cascading sounds; the piano, keys, and guitars pulsing and driving, the drums pounding in barely controlled chaos; cymbals crashing. I cannot do it justice. It is a work of art; a song of power and grandeur.
As I stated in my overview of the album, “The Burning Edge of Dawn” is a triumph. Longtime Peterson fans should be overjoyed with what they hear. Peterson newcomers should be equally impressed. I will leave you with the bridge from “The Sower’s Song”; as good as anything you will read today:
As the rain and the snow fall
“The Sower’s Song”, Andrew Peterson
Down from the sky
And they don’t return but they water the earth and bring they forth life
Giving seed to the sower, bread for the hunger
So shall the word of the Lord be with a sound like thunder
And it will not return, it will not return void
We shall be led in peace
And go out with joy
And the hills before us
Will raise their voices
And the trees of the field will clap their hands as the land rejoices
And instead of the thorn now
The cypress towers
And instead of the briar the myrtle blooms with a thousand flowers
And it will make a name
Make a name for our God
A sign everlasting that will never be cut off
As the earth brings forth sprouts from the seed
What is sown in the garden grows into a mighty tree
So the Lord plants justice, justice and praise
To rise before the nations till the end of days
- Our Favorite Music of 2024 – 12 Albums We Recommend - December 13, 2024
- My Seven Favorite Versions of “Joy to the World” - November 29, 2024
- “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” – A Witty and Heartfelt Triumph - November 13, 2024
Discover more from Rambling Ever On
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I’ve been a Peterson fan since “Love and Thunder” and then some. Think I was 16 when I first started following. His most witty line I think is “I’d give you all of me to know what you are thinkin.”
This album, like his others, grows and grows on me and is becoming one of my favorites. Love the review. Thankful as ever to the CS Lewis of music, Andrew Peterson.
Thanks Jacob. It’s a great album and he has quickly become one of my favorites as well.
Like most of Peterson’s albums this one had gotten better with each listen. Light For The Lost Boy is still probably my favorite, but that may be because Don’t You Want To Thank Someone is my favorite of his songs. It is a testimony to his writing and arranging skills that his albums get better and better over time.
I am thankful that the mantle of Rich fell on Andrew.
Don’t You Want to Thank Someone is incredible. Possibly my favorite song of his as well, though, The Sower’s Song is right up there.
Maybe it is the current season of life in which I find myself, but I have gone to The Burning Edge Of Dawn quite a bit lately for encouragement and perspective.
“These are the tears, the tears before the song.
This is the dark,
Sometimes all I see is this darkness.
Can’t you feel the darkness?
This is the dark before the dawn
I’m just waiting for a change, Lord, I’m waiting for the change”
Agreed. It’s a go-to album for me when I need perspective. Which is often.