Album Notes

I approached this album more from the position of a songwriter with a contextual theme rather than creating an aural palette that represented who I am musically, hence the genre-bending nature of the album. Over the years, I had tucked away some very personal lyrics, sort of a series of snapshots over the course of a 15-year journey. This journey revolved around my rich, passionate history with the church and my internal struggle with the exclusive mentality that unfortunately is inherent in religion. I was attempting to spotlight the separatist consciousness that is characteristic of those who claim, “this is the way to heaven, and any way unlike the one I understand is wrong”. In my opinion, it is one of the most damaging characteristics of humankind; the desperate need to be right, even at the expense of others. I believe that God is so much broader and all-encompassing than what our limited minds can understand. Therefore, my intention was to challenge the intolerance that results from clinging to one man’s interpretation of a letter while conveniently ignoring the true essence of the unconditional, embracing love of Christ.
I received a bit of hate mail for this CD, as a few people interpreted this album as my denouncement and degradation of Christ. This is not the message of this album, nor is that my heart concerning the matter. Surprisingly, for every one letter spewing anger, there were hundreds more expressing how they could so deeply relate to the lyrics enclosed in this body of work. I am most grateful for the song I wrote for my mom as I have heard more response from mothers, daughters, sons, and even dads sharing how that song played a role in bringing love back into the family unit. If you happen to be someone who shared your story with me, know that you gave inspiration back to me at just the right time! So, my sincerest of thanks!
“U Found Me” and “We’re Okay” were used for a Tori Spelling movie called “Kiss the Bride”. The music video for “We’re Okay” ran for 15 weeks in the top 10 on Logo’s Click List, and remained at #1 for nine weeks. “The Reckoning” was featured on “Fresh Air” in the UK, and other songs have found their way to radio here and there. Pretty cool considering that me and my buddy Travis Howard recorded this in his little apartment on an old eight track recorder. Man, we sweated our balls off all summer trying to make this sound good. And talk about a shoe-string budget! Truly, the most fun I’ve ever had recording an album.
In hindsight I believe it was very important for me, personally, to create an album like “The Gospel According To Levi”. There was something freeing about the process that allowed me to be at peace with my past and begin moving towards a more precise definition of who I am as an artist overall.
Thanks for listening! Levi