Mockingbird | ||||
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Studio album by Derek Webb | ||||
Released | December 26, 2005 | |||
Recorded | Sumner Studio, Nashville, TN | |||
Genre | Singer-songwriter, folk, contemporary Christian music | |||
Length | 40:26 | |||
Label | INO | |||
Producer | Derek Webb, Cason Cooley | |||
Derek Webb chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
CCM Magazine | A |
Christian Broadcasting Network | |
Christianity Today | |
Cross Rhythms | |
Indie Vision Music | unrated |
Jesus Freak Hideout | |
New Release Tuesday | |
Relevant |
Mockingbird (2005) is the third solo studio album from singer-songwriter Derek Webb.
Produced by Cason Cooley, the album touches on subjects such as politics, social justice, and war. Webb has stated that he tackled these subjects to stimulate discussion and engage people to bring about changes in what he sees as some of the greatest problems the world is facing today.The Work of the People (a community of artists, storytellers, filmmakers, poets and theologians) created a music video for Webb's song A New Law which is available for viewing on their website.
In order to broaden this discussion to people less inclined to purchase his album, beginning September 1, 2006, Webb offered Mockingbird for free on the website www.freederekwebb.com, where it was available for download until December 8, 2006. Over 80,000 free copies of the album were downloaded during this time.
When speaking about the inspiration behind Mockingbird, Webb says, "We have a history of not loving people well. We live in a country that was founded on genocide against Native Americans. We haven't loved well and a lot of people don't like Americans. We need to own up to some responsibility there, we need to look at why, and we need to let that inform how we're making decisions for the future." Concerning the political aspect of 'Mockingbird', he continued, "If you look, Jesus doesn't go straight down one party line. We try to fit him in our Western politics, but he wouldn't land on either side." Living in the middle is something Webb sees Jesus' model and to let go of our idea that "Christian" and "Republican" go hand in hand. "We, too, have to be willing to move in and out of political systems and parties if we're going to follow him."
Mockingbird was named the #7 "Best Christian Album of 2006" by Christianity Today magazine.