Track Listing

1. Dreamer
2. Hallelujah
3. All That I Can Do
4. Airplane
5. I Believe in You
6. My Love Hasn't Grown Cold
7. New
8. Way I See You
9. Vagabond
10. Be Near Me
11. Imagination

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69309 in Music
• Released on: 2005-08-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
Somewhere at the crossroads of Ed Cash’s impressive production talents (he’s been named GMA’s 2005 Producer of the Year) and Bethany Dillon’s burgeoning songwriting skills, you’ll find Imagination, Dillon’s sophomore effort and a delightful daydream about the many ways that the Creator shows up in the life of the created. For 17, this bright Ohioan has awareness and maturity beyond her years as evidenced in the lyrics of this release as she reflects on moral failure healed by spiritual redemption. Stylistically, Dillon pulls from several diverse sources such as Christian singer-songwriters like Nicole Nordeman and Jennifer Knapp and even culls from the Cowboy Junkies (listen to the hallowed "My Love Hasn’t Grown Cold"). Dillon’s awareness of the almighty within the mundane shines through in the entertaining "Airplane" in which she recognizes the divine in so many elements of a simple plane flight. The worship-flavored "Hallelujah" is another highlight and a track that showcases her pop sensibilities with an unforgettable chorus as is "All That I Can Do." And we can’t forget Cash’s masterful work behind the board, blending acoustic and atmospheric electric guitar as a soft foundation for Dillon’s emotive vocals throughout the release. The earthy, organic sound is never heavy handed and allows the prodigious songwriting talent of Dillon to stand on its own strength. -–Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Amazing!
Though I prefer her first album a little bit better, this CD still deserves 5 stars. I got the chance to see her live, and she is absolutely AMAZING live, even better than she is on the CD, so I would recommend seeing her live if you get the chance.

1. Dreamer - Really fun song.. inspirational. Makes sense, since it was chosen to be on the soundtrack of the upcoming movie, Dreamer, starring Dakota Fanning.

2. Hallelujah - This is a really great worship song, but on the CD, there is a bit too much orchestration, and it sort of takes away from her actual singing. I was slightly disappointed when I heard this on the album, though, because when she sang it live, it was AMAZING. Still a good song, though.

3. All That I Can Do - this is a good, fun song. Out of all the songs, I would expect this one to be heard on the radio.

4. Airplane - very unique. I really like the way she sang this... very mellow and simple. It sounds like she's just telling a story.

5. I Believe in You - I really love this song. Great, uplifting lyrics and Bethany'd beautiful voice.

6.My Love Hasn't Grown Cold - One of my favorites on the CD. It's a very soothing, relaxing song. It has amazing lyrics and she sounds great.

7. New - Good song. Not really one of my favorites, but nevertheless, good.

8. The Way I See You - another one of my favorites. This, like For My Love in her first CD, is about a human relationship, so it's different. Even so, the lyrics are still great, and I just really love this song.

9. Vagabond - She wrote this about Gospel for Asia, a missionary organization that she supports. That in itself, the heart behind the song, makes this track great!

10. Be Near Me - I was reading through these lyrics, and oh MY, they're amazing!

11. Imagination - I LOVE this song. Very mellow, very poetic lyrics. Not much orchestration or anything, just her voice and her guitar. This song is very simple, but very beautiful.

Overall, this is a REALLY great album. I highly recommend it, along with her first one!

Absolutely Incredible
In December 2005 my family and I saw the movie, "Dreamer."
It was one of the best films we have ever seen, and we were so affected by it we remained in our seats after the ending. Even then, it wasn't over. The song that played as the credits rolled was so uplifting I had to wait until the performer's name appeared: Bethany Dillon.

My family and I are generally pretty knowledgeable about contemporary music (in fact, I wrote music reviews in college), so I was completely shocked that a performer with such an incredible voice could be totally unknown to me. I bought the "Imagination" CD on Amazon.com and can honestly say that I have never heard a more beautiful and affecting voice in my entire life. It took me a little while to get past the first track ("Dreamer") -- because it is such an incredible song, I prematurely assumed that this had to be one of those forgettable one-hit CDs with the other tracks basically consisting of filler. I didn't even bother to listen to them for weeks. The shock of the CD is that every single track is just as awesome as the first, over a broad range of styles from gospel to folk to blues that never sounds repetitive no matter how many times you hear it.

The only explanation for the music that this woman is able to produce with her voice is that she is feeling an inspiration from God that most of us have never experienced. Listening to these songs has literally changed my life. If I had to choose just one CD to listen to for the remainder of my days on Earth, this would be the one.

The Bible states that we are made in the image of God. Although this is still a mystery to me, every once in a while we encounter someone with a talent so unusual we can only wonder if this is what "made in the image of God" might mean. I worship God and praise His holy name in thanks for sharing with us the incredible blessing of Bethany Dillon.

Sincerely, Jay Scovie

Cooler than a Ninja.
Bethany does it again with her sophomore album.

The album once again accessibly communicates deep topics to its listeners. Bethany knows how to write great songs about heavy topics without making them overly weighty.

This album is also a lot more mature than the last. This is rather evident by Bethany's new clothing, hair, and album style. Her music has changed a bit as well. The topics are a bit weightier so the brightness and fun of All I Need and Great Big Mystery are not quite there as much. Bethany rocked out a lot more on the last album. But this is a very great contemplative album while still being an easy listening.

Bethany's songwriting has also grown. The lyrics are a lot more intricate and mean so much more on this album. She is able to put so much depth without being cliche'. I love it. I think her guitar skills have also improved because she plays guitar on every song, which she didn't do on the last album.

All right here it is song by song

1. Dreamer - such a great light song. The song makes you feel so alive. Great writing and Bethany's voice shines. A little bit too much going on at times but Bethany's voice is still strong. Interesting fact - this song is going to be featured in a motion picture. I don't know which one. It's not Narnia though. Bethany (along with a bunch of great Christian artists) are writing songs for the Narnia soundtrack that comes out in like early October. All of the songs are original and Bethany's is called "Hero". So, is it possible that we might see Bethany going mainstream after her help on these movie soundtracks?

2. Hallelujah - Amazing praise song. Reminds me of that Jennifer Knapp/Marc Powell song that was on City on a Hill "Sing Alleluia". Straightforward, worshipful, and makes you feel strong. A little too much orchestration at times though.

3. All That I Can Do - Great fun song. Makes you want to sing out loud. A little over produced at times. Probably the most rock out song on the album.

4. Airplane - Such an interesting song. The way she wrote this song is just so amazing. It is a very storytelling type of song. I love it.

5. I Believe in You - The song is pretty good but a bit over produced, too much stuff going on at the same time. But it gets points because it is written from the perspective of God so it really allows the listener to connect to God in a different way. It also gets more points because at first you think it's one of those "I'm your friend and I believe in you and you rock" type of songs. But, then you realize it is God speaking to you. That's what makes it great.

6. My Love Hasn't Grown Cold - It has amazing lyrics!!! It gets even more points because it is written from the perspective of God so it really allows the listener to connect to God in a different way. Really simple which I like. Sometimes her voice gets drowned out a bit. But, it is so soulful and there is so much feeling in it...just wow. So delicate yet strong. Kind of Norah Jones ish.

7. New - Such a feel good song. It is just so warm and inviting. Such a praiseful song. It's about God changing everything and making you new again.

8. The Way I See You - It's interesting to see that Bethany has a song on the last album (For My Love) and song on here that talk about human love and relationships. Many Christian artists do not tackle these things and just stick with praise/worship type of songs. But Bethany is so amazingly brave with so many things. This song is amazing and I think it relates to almost everyone. This song once again makes me wonder if they are prepping Bethany for mainstream stuff...???

9. Vagabond - WOW. Bethany is involved in overseas ministry in Asia and this song is about missionaries and it is great! Just wow. Everything fits perfectly.

10. Be Near Me - Like a prayer. It's great to see Bethany's heart in song here. It's a great song.

11. Imagination - WOW. It sounds live. It is that good. Just amazing. So simple...just a guitar, bass, and cello. Bethany's voice just wow resonates. Her vocal talent REALLY SHINES here. The lyrics are amazing as well.

All in all this C.D. is great but a bit different than the last. The sound and topics are a bit more mature than the last. But it is a great growth for Bethany. I predict that her career will be long and successful. While on the last album she was compared to a lot of younger good singer/songwriters like Avril, Michelle Branch, and Vanessa Carlton I think she will now be compared to greats like Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Amy Grant, Nicole Nordeman, and the like. I cannot wait to see more of Bethany.