After his first release, Todd spent time analyzing the reasons and motivations behind what he sees, says and does, and then verbalized them into the dozen songs he wrote - both words and music - for Reflection of Something.
The project, produced by John Hampton (Gin Blossoms, North Mississippi All Stars) and recorded in Memphis’ Ardent Studios, showcases Agnew’s musical tastes, from worship to blues to rock.
Todd explained, “I feel like I’ve grown up a bit more musically. I realized we needed to stay true to what we had done so far, but I didn’t want my second project to just be a copy of the first one. When I listen to this record, I catch echoes of the music that I care about and that has shaped me: Kansas, Led Zeppelin, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Memphis Blues, funk. As far as what it will mean to other people, it’s still kind of up in the air. That’s why I’m looking forward to letting people hear it so they can tell me.”
The songs found on Reflection of Something speak of worship and salvation, and will strike a familiar chord with listener's. The impressive “Isaiah 6” represents the glory of a heavenly encounter with God and was written while Todd was studying to prepare for a teaching series on worship. “Mercy In Me” teaches the importance of worship as a lifestyle instead of an action and “Something Beautiful” speaks of our inability to earn God's love, since it is given as a gift.
Having heard this release at a CD Listening Party in Nashville, I can honestly say that all of the songs are exceptional and a favorite was hard to choose. But the touching tune “My Jesus”, which Todd calls "the emotional centerpiece of the project", stood above the rest. Todd wrote the song almost a decade ago, but rarely played it because of the spiritual self-examination required to perform it. Last year, he and his band brought it out again and were humbled by the extraordinary audience response. “The question always is, if you’re a reflection of something, what is it going to be? At the conclusion of your life, will it be the relationships you have? Your job? All of us reflect something out to the world. Why not let it be a reflection of Jesus?”, remarked Todd.
The first radio single from Reflection of Something is “Unchanging One,” and it will hit radio in late May. A tour is currently being planned, going to cities such as Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Colorado Springs. Agnew is currently headlining World Vision’s “In The Name of Love” Tour, sharing the stage with his friends, artists BarlowGirl and Warren Barfield.
In the two years since its release, Grace Like Rain has sold almost 200,000 copies and produced the No. 1 CHR radio hits “This Fragile Breath (The Thunder Song)” and “Grace Like Rain.” Todd has also claimed six Gospel Music Dove Award nominations and performed before a half a million people.
“I was just trying to see God glorified by ministry and to make music that honored Him. God took it and made it do what it did for His glory,” he says about recording Grace Like Rain. “I hope that’s what happened this time, too. That doesn’t mean He’s going to make it a hit, but it means He’ll take care of the end result. I can trust Him with that, just like I trusted Him with the first set of songs.”
