Groovy contemporary rock group
Big Daddy Weave stick to a well-worn path on
What I Was Made For, a straightforward collection of modern praise anthems. The quintet's peppy, uptempo rock isn't more than a stone's throw away from the likes of
Steven Curtis Chapman,
Casting Crowns, and
MercyMe. But where those artists may occasionally attempt to address issues like social pressure or sexual transgressions,
Big Daddy Weave keep things light and buoyant. Considering the album came during what critics dubbed "the year of the worship album," the boys seemed to make a refreshing name for themselves by plowing ahead with their free-spirited rock rather than reverting to an unplugged sound like
Jars of Clay's
Redemption Songs. A solid rhythm section and easily digestible guitar licks put meat on the bones where lyrics for the most part remain quite thin. The grooves are strongest on later tracks like "Killing Me Again" and "Give Up, Let Go." The singalong duet "You're Worthy of My Praise," featuring
BarlowGirl, was a number one Christian hit. ~ Jared Johnson