John Waller - While I'm Waiting Review

John Waller's sophomore set is a solid follow-up to his impressive 2007 debut, "The Blessing." Prior to embarking on a solo career, he'd already gained a substantial fan base as leader of the band According to John, and his solo work continues to be characterized by literate, uplifting lyrics and ear-grabbing melodies best exemplified on this collection by the buoyant "Faith Is Living" and "Quest." The title track is a powerful ballad about serving God even when answers and resolution aren't quick in coming. The only song played in its entirety during the movie "Fireproof," "While I'm Waiting," has already become a hit thanks to the film exposure and a great music video. (Waller's retail CD includes a second disc featuring a sampler from the movie soundtrack.) Waller has a compelling voice that infuses his songs with integrity: He draws the listener into each lyric, especially on thoughtful ballads like "Of All the Places." For church audiences hungry for wisdom wrapped in an appealing musical package, Waller delivers the goods. —Deborah Evans Price...full text Bonus FIREPROOF Soundtrack sampler includes:
Brighter Days - Leeland
Love Is Not a Fight - Warren Barfield
You Belong to Me - Grey Holiday
Original Movie Score

Summer 2008, pre-screening audiences resoundingly chose the song “While I’m Waiting” from singer/songwriter John Waller as their favorite song from the hit movie FIREPROOF. As the promising sparks of a hit movie grew into a blaze of box-office and DVD sales success, John Waller likewise saw a significant bump of his own music sales due to his song’s movie placement. “I’m sure most people can relate to this song,” says Waller, “but the important thing to remember while we’re waiting on God, is to not just wait, but to actively wait. Serve, worship and be faithful with what you have, where you are…even while you wait.”

Indeed, this overflowing message of trust in the Lord is so important that it soon became the prevailing sentiment of Waller’s sophomore album, also titled While I’m Waiting. With songs like “Faith Is Living,” “Cling to the Call” and “The Lord Reigns Here,” this writer of declaration-style anthems for the body of Christ is once again giving listeners biblical words to claim as their own during trying and uncertain times. “My calling is to go deeper into God’s Word and to let that truth set me free,” John relates. “When people sing the truth of God’s Word it changes their lives. I don’t know anything more powerful!”...full text John Waller is a singer/songwriter/worship leader who originally gained national attention
fronting According to John. After the band ended, John and his family moved to Denver,
Colorado, and focused on writing songs for his church congregation. The people at
SouthLink Church loved John’s music so much, they raised the money to finance his
record. He eventually signed to Beach Street Records after Mark Miller—label owner and
Sawyer Brown front man—was captured by John’s powerful songs. Waller's distinctive
sound reflects the praise-oriented heart of a humble, devoted servant. As one who has
previously struggled with depression, Waller conveys his message with refreshing
authenticity and unabashed openness.

Discussing his smash hit single "While I'm Waiting," featured in the hit movie
“Fireproof”: "I'm sure most people can relate to this song, but the important thing to
remember while we're waiting on God, is to not just wait, but to actively wait. Serve,
worship and be faithful with what you have, where you are, even while you wait."
If you like the song “While I’m Waiting”, then you’re in for a real treat with the entire
album including the original and Fireproof Remix of the title song, originally released on
“The Blessing”. Musically, I feel that the album is a slight step up, in particular with the
songs “Hands Of The Healer”, “Cling To The Call”, “Quest”, “House Of God” and “Our
God Reigns Here”, which are my other favorite songs on the album in addition to the title
song, which is an amazing song. In particular I was struck by the song “Cling To The
Call” which was one of the songs considered for the album title. The song continues the
theme of “waiting” in that John waited 17 years to become a music artist and has held
strong to that calling. John’s songs tend to be personal and based on real-life situations.
“Quest” is a fun story-song that even references Don Quixote. The second half of the
album builds to another very memorable song “Our God Reigns Here” which will have
you singing along in praise to our Savior!...full text