Amazed Song Reviews

The following comments were from the judging panel in the 2006 Songdoor.com competition:

Comments: #5 (AMAZED) hits me initially on that unexplainable emotional level. The melody keeps me interested in hearing more of the song. Lyrically, I get the meaning without it blatantly telling me what the song is about. Form and structure-wise this sounds very much like things that are currently getting attention in popular music. Very important when working in the marketplace. And this is a big thing for me: I appreciate that this doesn't sound as if the writer/singer is doing this for themselves only. They kept me, the listener, in mind and didn't bore me.

Comments: While the competition was tough, my favorite song, "Amazed" sounds like a radio HIT TODAY. I will probably find myself singing it for the next few weeks. It's memorable, strong, has crossover potential, and is very hooky. The production is top notch. The lyrics are simple but pack a punch. It's a GORGEOUS song!!

Comments: "Amazed" (Clive). It was VERY difficult choosing ... but I believe "Amazed" is the best. As far as comments go, the song is quite catchy and memorable, very strong lyrically and musically. Great production. The tune stuck in my head, which of course is a mark of a great song.  It is extremely commercial and I can just imagine it becoming a top Christian song. The changes in the song, the  lift, and the entire structure is flawless. GREAT WORK!

Amazed CD Reviews

The following comments are from people who have heard the CD:

Comments: Sean Clive — Amazed - Sean Clive’s CD was recorded with David Smith and this one is a winner. Clive’s clear tenor voice flows over an incredible range and the pop-rock arrangements are fun and uplifting without ever drifting into fluff. The highlight of the album is the song "Amazed," which is a terrific example of what is possible from Catholic artists today when they are paired with a great producer. I predict big things for this fine artist. Why not go to  www.seanclive.com and check out this great new recording. David Wang - Catholic Register (Canada)

Comments: I received a copy of your CD "Amazed" and I have to say, I am seriously Amazed! You have raised the bar in Catholic music in so many ways...this CD can compete with anything in the CCM world as well as in secular music, from songrwiting, to performance to production/engineering and packaging... you have given the genre something to strive for. – Mike Beloud – RISE – Spirit Wing Records

Comments: The new CD is outstanding and for everybody on these chats I highly recommend this CD for all to hear. EVERYTHING about this CD is remarkable.. .oops I mean AMAZING!!!!! ;-)  As everybody has been saying over the past year or so the bar needed to be raised...here it is!  Sean God bless you and your family!!!! - Gary Gersin – Spirit Wing Records – Sacred Heart Radio – Catholic Music 24/7

Comments: From the world of radio, I want to say that not only is this song beautiful lyrically, but musically it is one of the best I have heard in a long time. And I have 18 years' worth of CCM music filling my apartment right now, so I have a lot to compare it to! : )  I know that as Christian artists, it's not about competition and comparison, but as we are aiming to improve the quality of Catholic music, this is one example of how it's done! - Jim "O'Meara" Logue - Catholic Music Express

Comments: Your CD came in today’s mail (1/26/2007).  It’s fantastic!  We’ll be featuring your music on today’s “Catholic Jukebox” (4:30pm Eastern), our contemporary Catholic music show.  It’s heard on the EWTN Radio Network of AM/FM stations, on Sirius Satellite Radio (channel #160), globally on WEWN shortwave, and via streaming audio at www.ewtn.com.  Thanks again, and may our Lord continue to bless your ministry! - Thom Price - Director of Programming - EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network  

Comments: Amazed is the sophomore project of Sean Clive, his first in 4 years. This CD is well worth the wait. Clive has shown substantial growth since his last project, Tuning Up. In collaboration with producer David C. Smith, Clive has created that rare combination of hook-laden songs that touch the mind and the heart.

Do not be fooled into thinking that this album is worth just a casual listen while you’re working, exercising or driving, for it deserves a much closer examination. Take the time to really listen and soak in the lyrics because Clive has a lot to say. Be sure, too, to treat yourself to the brief stories he relays in the liner notes before each song. They can be touching, revealing and sometimes quite humorous.

The title cut of Amazed is a true top 40, radio friendly hit. You won’t be able to forget the chorus once you’ve listened. This is a praise and worship song that doesn’t tell you to praise and worship God – it leads you to that place, giving you all kinds of reasons along the way. Clive describes beautifully the glory of creation and the little things of this world that we so often miss, and then sums it up by singing, “I’m so amazed, I’m amazed, I’m amazed.”

There are so many other great songs on this CD. “Remember Me” speaks of the truth of the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist and Clive does a wonderful job of naturally integrating the text of the Eucharist Prayer of the liturgy into the song to get that point across.

“Between Here and There” is, as he put it in his liner notes, a “walk-on-water” song about trust and faith. I found this line in the chorus, “You don’t expect us to have perfect faith / when we take step forward, You fill us with grace” very comforting as it reminded me of the perfect patience and mercy of God as He waits for us to respond to Him. “Doing Something” is a clever song about putting faith into action, using mainly verbs in the lyrics.

Often the music in Catholic projects is secondary to the lyrics, but not in this case. All the music on Amazed is energized, creative and infectious.

Amazed has generated a lot of buzz since its release with comparisons being made to Chris Tomlin. The title cut was recently awarded the top prize in the SongDoor Songwriting Competition.

Convinced? Then visit Clive’s website at seanclive.com to order your copy of Amazed, and you’ll be amazed too. - Review by Susan Bailey - Grapevine Magazine On-Line