What If We

Before the record's release, there was originally a batch of 40 songs prepared as possible tracks. Brandon Heath said that he and producer Dan Muckala worked closely together in the process of deciding the final 11-track list; "I'll always love the ones that got left behind too, and who knows—they may make the next record", he says.{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2008/brandonheath-mini-0808.html |title=Brandon Heath, 08/08 |work=Christianity Today |date=August 25, 2008 |author=Andy Argyrakis}}

What If We was released on August 19, 2008 through the Provident Label Group in the United States.{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=brandon heath|chart=all}} |title=Brandon Heath – What If We |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 25, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} It debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200, being his first album to chart on the 200.{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=brandon heath|chart=all}} |title=Artist Chart History – Brandon Heath |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 26, 2008}} It also debuted at No. 3 on Nielsen SoundScan's chart for Christian albums, selling over 7,100 copies in the first week.{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Brandon.Heath/Article-578_2453.htm |title=Brandon Heath's What If We Debuts at No. 3 on Sales Chart With First Single 'Give Me Your Eyes' No. 1 on CHR Radio |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=August 29, 2008 |accessdate=September 26, 2008}}

The album's first single "Give Me Your Eyes" was released in July 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-Brandon.Heath/Article-578_2374.htm |title=Brandon Heath Single Give Me Your Eyes Continues Digital Sales Streak With More Than 12,000 Downloads Since Release |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |date=August 1, 2008 |accessdate=September 26, 2008}} In its first week of online release the song made nearly 6,000 downloads. By the second week, another 6,700 copies were sold. "Give Me Your Eyes" stayed at No. 1 on the iTunes Store Christian section from July through February for seven consecutive months,{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/02/20.GMA%20HONORS%20BRANDON%20HEATH%20WITH%20FOUR%20DOVE%20AWARDS%20NOMINATIONS.asp |title=GMA Honors Brandon Heath With Four Dove Awards Nominations |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |date=February 20, 2009 |accessdate=April 3, 2009}} achieving more than 70,000 digital downloads by September 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6889 |title="Give Me Your Eyes" continues to rise for Brandon Heath |work=The Cleveland Leader |date=September 23, 2008 |accessdate=April 3, 2009}} In early 2009, "Wait and See" was released as the album's second single. It reached NO. 5 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart by August 2009.{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=brandon heath|chart=all}} |title=Wait and See - Brandon Heath|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 18, 2009}}

The single "Give Me Your Eyes" has been compared to Mat Kearney's musical style, described by Christianity Today as "joining acoustic pop with a slight hip-hop shuffle", its lyrics being inspired by "people-watching at an airport – pleading for God's insight and compassion when viewing others".{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2008/whatifwe.html |title=Brandon Heath – What If We |work=Christianity Today |date = August 2008|author=Russ Breimeier |accessdate=September 27, 2008}}

{{Album ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/album/what-if-we-r1413699/review|title=What If We|last=Farias|first=Andree|date=August 19, 2008|website=Allmusic|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev2 = CCM Magazine

|rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/brandon-heath/albums/what-if-we-2/|title=What If We|last=Cartwright|first=Grace S.|date=August 19, 2008|magazine=CCM Magazine|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev3 = Christian Music Review

|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.christianmusicreview.org/brandonheath_whatifwe.html|title=What If We|last=Hellman|first=Jay|date=August 18, 2008|publisher=Christian Music Review|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev4 = Christianity Today

|rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2008/whatifwe.html|title=What If We|last=Breimeier|first=Russ|date=August 19, 2008|magazine=Christianity Today|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev5 = Cross Rhythms

|rev5score = {{Rating|9|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Brandon_Heath/What_If_We/49033/|title=What If We|last=Bridge|first=Steven|date=September 30, 2008|publisher=Cross Rhythms|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev6 = Jesus Freak Hideout

|rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/WhatIfWe.asp|title=What If We|last=Mabee|first=Justin|date=July 23, 2008|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev7 = Jesus Freak Hideout

|rev7score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}

|rev8 = Louder Than the Music

|rev8score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.louderthanthemusic.com/document.php?id=116|title=What If We|last=Davies|first=Jono|date=March 17, 2009|publisher=Louder Than the Music|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev9 = New Release Tuesday

|rev9score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/albumdetail.php?album_id=5328|title=What If We|last=Davis|first=Kevin|date=October 28, 2008|publisher=New Release Tuesday|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}

|rev10 = New Release Tuesday

|rev10score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}

|rev11 = The Phantom Tollbooth

|rev11score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2008/reviews/bheath.html|title=What If We|last=Dickinson|first=Shawn|date=August 12, 2008|publisher=The Phantom Tollbooth|accessdate=October 28, 2012}}

}}

Farias of Allmusic notes that this album seeks answers, but "is far from having all the answers -- and for that matter, it's all too staid to reinvent the CCM wheel -- but it's likable and faith-assuring enough to further establish Heath as a singer/songwriter on the rise."

Cartwright of CCM Magazine stated that "just the title alone will pique the curiosity of any seeker, eager to run with Brandon after the elusive. Mr. Heath doesn't disappoint, striking all the right chords on this, his sophomore effort." Also, Cartwright noted this album as being an "endearing 11-song journey, replete with fanciful arrangements, lyrical imagination and an authentic vocal that makes every step a joy."

Hellman of Christian Music Review gave the idea this album "wouldn't sit atop my favorite albums list, it was a solid 40 minutes of time well spent."

Breimeier of Christianity Today alluded to this album as sending Heath "well on the way toward developing his likable sound and relatable personality into rewarding songcraft".

Bridge of Cross Rhythms said this album by Heath "asks the question of Christians to see what Jesus sees in our world today so we can act. In 11 beautifully crafted pop songs Heath challenges Christians to change the world."

Mabee of Jesus Freak Hideout talked about "if you enjoyed Brandon Heath's debut, are a fan of Mat Kearney or Matthew West, or you're simply looking for a feel-good, melody-driven record, pick up What If We. While the singer/songwriter's debut was powerful and impressive, his second outing is definitely one that you'll be playing long after the summer is over."

Watson of Jesus Freak Hideout noted that this album "takes the best aspects of his debut and builds on them."

Davies of Louder Than the Music said of Heath's second album that it "isn't bad with its observational lyrics and same style acoustic guitar, sadly that style becomes tiresome." Furthermore, Davies alluded to the album as containing "highlights and some great points, but after a listen through there wasn't much that drew me back for a second listen."

Davis of New Release Tuesday noted that Heath's work is a "great 2nd album and a slight improvement in my opinion, which is refreshing."

Nathan of New Release Tuesday gave this album "a pretty solid effort all around, as there is a nice mix of emotional and inspirational pop and adult contemporary. His ballads are strong but there is nothing really exceptional musically. Good lyrics abound and Brandon Heath succeeds with his questions and ahis sophomore piece".

Dickinson of The Phantom Tollbooth envisioned this album as being "a huge step forward for Brandon Heath. He's a maturing artist that continues to prepare himself for even bigger successes."

{{Track listing

| total_length = 40:13

| title1 = Give Me Your Eyes

| note1 =

| writer1 = Heath, Jason Ingram

| length1 = 3:52

| title2 = Wait and See

| note2 =

| writer2 = Heath

| length2 = 3:48

| title3 = Trust You

| note3 =

| writer3 = Heath, Chad Cates, Ingram

| length3 = 3:51

| title4 = London

| note4 =

| writer4 = Heath, Cates

| length4 = 3:34

| title5 = Sunrise

| note5 =

| writer5 = Heath, Nate Campany, Dan Muckala

| length5 = 4:01

| title6 = Sore Eyes

| note6 = featuring Jars of Clay

| writer6 = Heath, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark

| length6 = 3:35

| title7 = Love Never Fails

| note7 =

| writer7 = Heath, Cates

| length7 = 3:07

| title8 = Listen Up

| note8 =

| writer8 = Heath, Ingram

| length8 = 3:22

| title9 = Fight Another Day

| note9 =

| writer9 = Heath, Cates, Muckala

| length9 = 3:47

| title10 = When I'm Alone

| note10 =

| writer10 = Heath, Campany

| length10 = 3:19

| title11 = No Not One

| note11 =

| writer11 = Heath, Christy Nockels

| length11 = 3:57

}}

• Brandon Heath – vocals
• Dan Muckala – keyboards, programming, arrangements
• Charlie Lowell – keyboards (6)
• Chuck Butler – guitars, bass
• Adam Lester – guitars
• Stephen Mason – guitars (6)
• Matt Odmark – guitars (6)
• Brent Milligan – bass
• Gabe Ruschival – bass (6)
• Jeremy Lutito – drums
• Mike Smith – drums
• David Angell – strings
• Zach Casebolt – strings
• John Catchings – strings
• David Davidson – strings
• Claire Indie – strings
• Dan Haseltine – vocals (6)

• Terry Hemmings – executive producer
• Dan Muckala – producer, engineer
• Jesse Thompson – assistant engineer
• F. Reid Shippen – mixing
• Kevin Shultz – additional editing
• Andrew Mendelson – mastering at Georgetown Masters (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Jordyn Thomas – A&R
• Michelle Box – A&R production
• Sarah Deane – production coordinator
• Becka Blackburn – art direction
• Tim Parker – art direction, design
• Jeremy Cowart – photography
• Haylee Harris – hair, make-up
• Creative Trust – management

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Category:2008 albums

Category:Brandon Heath albums

Category:Reunion Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Dan Muckala