Hope for All Nations - Karen Peck & New River - CD Review

Karen Peck & New River released Hope for All Nations this summer. This is the group's first mainstream release with Ricky Braddy. Kari Gooch, Karen's daughter, continues to have more of a vocal presence. And, of course, you have Karen's sweet soprano voice paired with her sister Susan's alto that provides the perfect blend for the group.

Hope for All Nations has 12 songs running at 44 minutes. I like that it's a longer project for the listener. Karen Peck Gooch actually helped write the majority of the songs on the project.

"Love Will Never Give Up" kicks off the project. Karen is featured for that classic New River sound. "Hope for All Nations" is the second track, which has been a big radio success for the group. I love the piano intro of this song. Karen again is featured on this song.

Ricky Braddy is featured on "Who He Is What He Does" and shows off his soulful side. I really enjoy the sound that he brings to the group. He and Kari's duet of "I'll Keep on Praying" is a track not to skip! It's definitely a highlight of the project. Their voices sound great together on this more pop sounding song. Kari has really come into her own and it's so good to hear her step out on this song. Don't miss the powerful message of the song either. We don't always know where we're headed and while we keep hoping from answers from God, we'll keep on praying and trusting.

Susan is featured on "The Reason." My favorite of her features is "All You Need." This song like so many of the others on the project really speaks to this theme of hope. If He is all you have, He's all you need because He is greater and stronger. Susan communicates this message so clearly and authentically.

"Gotta Be Saved" has a spiritual feel to it. This is just a fun song that will have your head bobbing and toe tapping.

Karen absolutely shines on "The River." I love the buildup and the addition of the choir at the end of the song. How we all need the river!

"Victory Is Mine" is another Ricky feature. This soulful song is really in Ricky's wheelhouse. The song is a powerful reminder of the victory we have through Christ we can always claim.

The last song is "I'm Gonna Love My Neighbor," which includes some of the group's friends like Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Isaacs, Triumphant Quartet, the Whisnants and more.

Karen Peck & New River released one of the top projects of the year with Hope for All Nations. Every song on the project is one not to be missed and all really add something to the theme of the album. There is hope for all nations.

Song To Put on Repeat - "I'll Keep on Praying"
Song to Turn Up - "Gotta Be Saved"
Songs That Will Take You To Church - "The River" and "Victory Is Mine"


Song List -
1. "Love Will Never Give Up"
2. "Hope for All Nations"
3. "Who He Is What He Does"
4. "The Reason"
5. "Gotta Be Saved"
6. "I'll Keep on Praying"
7. "The River"
8. "Victory Is Mine"
9. "God's Got a Blessing"
10. "All You Need"
11. "I Know I'll Be There"
12. "I'm Gonna Love My Neighbor"