Cathedrals (album)

Cathedrals is the fourth major studio album from Christian pop-rock band Tenth Avenue North. Reunion Records, a label of Provident Label Group, released the project on November 10, 2014. Tenth Avenue North worked with producer John Fields in the creation of this album.

Cathedrals
Studio album by Tenth Avenue North
Released	November 10, 2014 (2014-11-10)
Studio	Blackbird Studios (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre	Contemporary Christian music, Christian rock, contemporary worship music, pop rock
Length	43:26
Label	Reunion
Producer	John Fields
Tenth Avenue North chronology
The Struggle (2012) Cathedrals (2014) Followers (2016)

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
365 Days of Inspiring Media	[1]
CCM Magazine	[2]
Christian Music Review	3.8/5[3]
Cross Rhythms	[4]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[5] [6] [7]
Jesus Wired	[8]
New Release Tuesday	[9]

Cathedrals received positive reviews from critics. Indicating in a nine out of ten review for Cross Rhythms, Matthew Cordle mentions, "In summary, a great set of songs that build on past work and delivers a strong message from one of the best bands currently working in CCM."^[4] Sarah Fine, writing in a four and a half star review for New Release Tuesday, realizes, "This is a worthy effort by an incredible band seeking to say honest things."^[9] Referencing in a three and a half star review for Jesus Freak Hideout, Roger Gelwicks explains, "Cathedrals feels unsurprising, but also genuine... It's inconsistent, but also entirely respectable, and it's this latter quality that makes for a landmark CCM release this fall."^[5] Andy Argyrakis from CCM Magazine, in a three star review, suggesting, "Musically speaking, the contemporary pop arrangements are pleasant and simple, while front man Mike Donehey’s smooth delivery is a fitting vehicle to convey encouragement and comfort to fellow believers."^[2] Awarding the album four and a half stars for 365 Days of Inspiring Media, Emily Kjonaas writes, "With lyrics that continually point Heavenward, and melodies that are soothing to one’s spirit, it’s no wonder why they are well-liked."^[1] Laura Chambers, rating the album a 3.8 out of five for Christian Music Review, says, "Cathedrals gently nudges us towards the light with convicting words and grand promises that to our cynical hearts seem too good to be true."^[3] Awarding the album ten stars at Jesus Wired, Maddy Agers writes, "it’s a literal masterpiece."^[8]

Track listing

Standard edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"No Man Is An Island"	Mike Donehey, Jason Jamison, Ruben Juarez, Jeff Owen, Brendon Shirley	4:16
2.	"Stars In the Night"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	3:43
3.	"Iesu, dulcis memoria" (featuring Audrey Assad)	attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux	0:56
4.	"Cathedrals"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	4:20
5.	"I Need You, I Love You, I Want You"	Donehey, Owen	4:06
6.	"The Spark"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	4:12
7.	"Heaven's Sound"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	3:54
8.	"Stay"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	4:17
9.	"We Won't Numb the Pain/Fire"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	4:56
10.	"Closer"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	3:41
11.	"All the Earth Is Holy Ground"	Donehey	5:05
Total length:			43:26

Deluxe edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
12.	"For Those Who Can't Speak" (featuring Derek Minor and KB)	Kevin Burgess, Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Minor, Owen, Shirley	3:18
13.	"Just Getting By"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	3:21
14.	"Forgive Me"	Donehey, Jamison, Juarez, Owen, Shirley	4:36
Total length:			55:01

Personnel

Tenth Avenue North

• Mike Donehey – vocals, guitars
• Brendon Shirley – acoustic piano, Hammond B3 organ, keyboards, programming, vocals, string arrangements (5, 6)
• Jeff Owen – guitars, vocals, elf noises
• Ruben Juarez – guitars, bass guitar, synth bass, vocals
• Jason Jamison – drums, percussion, programming, vocals

Additional musicians

• John Fields – keyboards, programming, "tasty bits"
• Stu G – electric guitar (11)
• Brian Sanders – cello (5)
• Kanene Pipkin – vocals (1, 5)
• Audrey Assad – vocals (3)
• Tim Combs – vocals (10)
• Derek Minor – vocals (12)
• KB – vocals (12)
• Luke Pinder – interpretive melody (13)
• Tom Harpour – vocals (14)

Production

• Terry Hemmings – executive producer
• Jordyn Thomas – A&R
• John Fields – producer, recording, mixing
• Paul David Hager – mixing
• Ernesto Olivera – engineer, assistant engineer
• Brandon Schnierer – studio intern
• Howie Weinberg – mastering
• Michelle Box – A&R production
• Beth Lee – art direction
• Tim Parker – art direction, design
• Ry Cox – photography
• Dave Steunenbrink – management

Charts

Chart (2014)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[10]	32
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[11]	1
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[12]	23
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[13]	9

References

1. Kjonaas, Emily (November 10, 2014). "Tenth Avenue North – Cathedrals". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
2. Argyrakis, Andy (15 November 2014). "Tenth Avenue North: Cathedrals". CCM Magazine. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
3. Chambers, Laura (November 9, 2014). "Tenth Avenue North 'Cathedrals'". Christian Music Review. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
4. Cordle, Matthew. "Review: Cathedrals Deluxe Edition - Tenth Avenue North". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
5. Gelwicks, Roger. "Tenth Avenue North, "Cathedrals" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
6. Caldwell, Alex. "Tenth Avenue North, "Cathedrals" Review - Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
7. Rice, Mark. "Tenth Avenue North, "Cathedrals" Review - JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
8. Agers, Maddy (November 7, 2015). "Tenth Avenue North's "Cathedrals" Blows Us Away". Jesus Wired. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
9. Fine, Sarah. "Building Cathedrals of Praise". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
10. "Tenth Avenue North Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
11. "Tenth Avenue North Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
12. "Tenth Avenue North Chart History (Digital Albums)".^{[dead link]} Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
13. "Tenth Avenue North Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2015.