us of all that we have learned through this journey she takes us on on Add To The Beauty. Production Though Sara's excelled as a go-it-alone songwriter for most of her recordings, this time around she collaborates in several instances with friends new and old. Joel Hanson (of PFR fame), Gordon Kennedy (Eric Clapton, Pierce Pettis), Matt Bronlewee (Jars of Clay) and the GMA's current “Producer of the Year” Ed Cash each weigh in. While Sara's thought-provoking lyrics remain the centerpiece of the songs she and her comrades paired on, and she composed most of the music in these instances, these four friends escort her into occasional new territory. A consistently pronounced sense of melody and more hook-driven choruses are the result. Thematically, the disc is pure Groves. The storyteller's songs are relational, personal, hopeful and, of course, poetic. In a subtle departure for Sara, there are no mentions of biblical personalities by name except for that of Jesus in any of the lyrics. Critical reception Add to the Beauty garnered critical acclaim from music critics. At CCM Magazine, Jay Swartzendruber graded the album an A, calling the songs on the release "revealing and vulnerable" and noting how the lyricism is "more inclusive, open and universal." Rick Anderson of Allmusic rated the album four stars, writing that "if you just wish [Christian pop] were more consistently transcendent, then this album will give you cause for hope." At Christianity Today, Andree Farias rated the album four stars, proclaiming the album as yet "another winner" of hers. Founder Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms rated the release a ten out of ten squares, affirming that it is "A gem" of an album on which Groves is "at the top of her game" in this unquestionable "very fine set" of songs. At Jesus Freak Hideout, Shaun Stevenson rated the album four-and-a-half stars, highlighting that this "is great for those looking for a soft sound and a definite thought-provoking conversation with Sara Groves." Brian A. Smith of The Phantom Tollbooth rated the album four-and-a-half tocks, affirming that this is "simply a wonderful album". At New Release Tuesday, Kevin Davis rated the album four-and-a-half stars, calling the album "excellent". The Trades' Paul Schultz graded the album a B, noting how "The title track anchors the consistently uplifting theme of the album". However, Christian Broadcasting Network's Jennifer E. Jones offered up a mixed review, rating the album