According to a recent research conducted by "Focus on the Family," 1,500 pastors leave their assignments every month in the United States alone.  23 per cent of these were forced to resign or have been fired.  More alarmingly, 43 per cent of those who were forced out of their pulpits never returned to the ministry for good.  Whereas the average length of a pastor spending in one church used to be around 30 years, now it averages less than half to around 14 years.  And perhaps the saddest statistic is that 34 per cent of all pastors in the United States have had the experience of being forced to resign at one or more points in their careers.  This only shows that behind the bureaucratic scenes of church boards and congregation meetings, conflict, strife, politics & vengeance lurk to devour God's church.  This is why we need Godly prophets like Derek Webb.  Over the years, Webb has been known to upset the apple cart with his forthrightness.  For instance, on his 2003 debut solo record "She Must And Shall Go Free," Webb is not afraid of venting vitriol against the church for canoodling in her hypocrisy.   Likewise, ten years later, Webb is back addressing again the issue of the church especially in her conflicts and (lack of) resolutions.  Just like the prophets of the Old Testament, Webb is not afraid of speaking to the kernel of issues and when truth is spoken, it will always hurt.

Derek Webb came onto the music scene via as a member of contemporary Christian music's band Caedmon's Call.  During Webb's tenure, the sales of the group's music approached a million copies; they won at least 10 Dove Awards and amassed 6 number one Christian singles.  However, in 2003, Webb left the group in order to pursue a solo career.  "I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry & I Love You" marks the tenth year anniversary of Webb as a solo recording artist.  And the record is nothing short of impressive: "I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry & I Love You" showcases the multi-faceted talents of Webb.  This is his first record where he singlehandedly helms the entire project: he plays every instrument on the disc, he produced and engineered the whole album in his own home studio.  Further, save the closing track "Thy Will be Done," Webb has a hand in co-writing or writing every of these twelve cuts.  The title cut "I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry & I Love You" is an object lesson of humility.  After the years of seeing conflicts in the church and his personal life, nothing brings more healing that these three snippets of truth that is titianic enough to melt the proudest of hearts.

"Eye of a Hurricane" is a showcase of Webb's genius as a thoughtful lyrist.  The song tells of a prodigal's sudden realization how foolish he was running away from the Father.  To him, it was like running in the eye of a hurricane, a faltering misstep will thrust him into the chaos.  "Lover Part Three" is the third installment of God's speech to his bride, the Church.  A talk that first finds its genesis in Webb's 2003 "She Must and Shall Go Free" and the following year's "I See Things Upside Down."  More creative lyrical quips come with "The Vow."  Reminding us a little of Song of Songs, "The Vow" is open to interpretation as to whether the song speaks of Christ and the church or to a married couple.  Webb's wife, Sandra MaCracken who often joins her husband on records adds her befitting harmony to "The Vow" that is nothing short of gorgeous.  

Sonically, the album returns to Webb's earlier organic folk template most evidenced by the acoustic stripped down ballad "Heavy" -- a bare-all-your-soul confession of our sinful struggles.  Yet, for those who want musical directions punctiliously well-defined will be agitated as the following track "Everything Will Change" finds Webb surrounded by strings with that ersatz big band feel.  And the beauty of this record is further enhanced when Webb places the traditional besides the contemporary.  Sitting  on the same record is the garage rock of "Closer than You Think" and the high church liturgical "Thy Will Be Done." This album, like all of Webb's repertoire, is a daring album.  Regardless of whether it's genre, musical styles, choice of words or lyrical themes, Webb stands out like a modern day prophet.  And in the church where conflicts and problems tend to be swept under the rug without a hush, it's time for God's voice to be articulated loud and clear.