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Not Ordinary

Devine's latest CD, Not Ordinary, has received impressive reviews from The Catholic Register and the Catholic Music Network. Read the full reviews below.

The Catholic Register, Week of January 18, 2004
By David Wang

"Not Ordinary, the newest release from Devine, continues the excellence of Matt and Fr. Tim Devine's song writing. Carrying on the pop sensibilities of Completely, there is much to admire on this recording, assisted by the superb work of producer, Andrew Horrocks.

The Album's highlights include "Not Ordinary", a ska-influenced rocker, and the on the opposite end of the spectrum, there is a beautiful "Queen of Peace" which expounds on the true nature of Marian devotion. There are the usual catchy pop numbers in "Everlasting Love" and "Make Us One." Matt and Fr. Tim Devine are becoming two of the more influential and respected songwriters in Catholic music."

The Catholic Register, Week of July 4, 2004
Side by side, these are no ordinary brothers
The Spirit is moving for the Devines
By Dennis Buonafede

Matt and Fr. Tim Devine, two brothers from Kitchener, Ontario, have been playing, writing and producing music for the past 15 years. They have produced several CD's, beginning with Side by Side in 1995 and just releasing Not Ordinary this year. Their CD Launch concert at Brampton's Heritage Theatre last week attracted 250 fans, including enthusiastic teenagers from Cardinal Leger Catholic Secondary School, where Matt teaches

Matt and Tim are only separated by two years, with Matt being the "big brother" to Tim. Especially significant is that Tim is legally blind, being able to see only "light and shadows". During the recent Brampton concert Salt and Light Television presented a video clip of two young Devine boys, hamming it up for the camera and playing air guitars. Matt commented that "as brothers we went through our stages of being close and drifting apart, but it was always the music that kept us together."

The brothers attribute their love of music to their father, John, saying "there was always music in the house". Matt quickly gravitated to the guitar while Tim played trombone, keyboards and drums. Of the two, Matt asserts that Tim is the better musician.

"When we both still lived at home we wrote most of our songs nose to nose in our music room. I still have fond memories of waking Tim up in the middle of the night because I had a song idea running through my head and we would stay up until 4am writing." Now, with the brothers in different time zones and many kilometers apart, songs are often written over the phone or email. Their style of music ranges from acoustical ballads and melodic harmonies to high energy rock.

Though secular at first the brothers soon took their style and began moving to more religious themes. They had grown up in a Catholic family, surrounded by elements of their faith, but not until their 20's did it became personal. Tim began studies with the Companions of the Cross in Ottawa, a decision that "totally shocked" Matt. In 2002 Tim was ordained to the priesthood with the Companions of the Cross. Though he and Matt had played "Mass" as youngsters he is now often overwhelmed that "now it's the real thing". He is the first blind priest in Canada and he is currently serving at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Halifax.

Forced to confront the questions raised by a younger brother's radical calling, Matt found his faith renewed and deepened, attributing his switch to religious music to his brother's vocation. Prior to joining the seminary "Tim was playing in a Catholic Music Ministry called Critical Mass. It wasn't too long after that I felt drawn to join the band as well. Not only did playing with Critical Mass provide an opportunity to perform music with amazing musicians but simply being with and talking to the other members revitalizes my faith life."

Several successful CDs by Critical Mass soon gained the band both attention and opportunity. In 2002 the band was honoured with the chance to play at key World Youth Day events, including the Vigil and Mass at Downsview Park.

Matt went on to marry Kate, his university sweetheart, and they now have a little girl. He has become a very popular English, Religion and guitar teacher at Cardinal Leger Catholic Secondary School in Brampton.

What the future has in store is uncertain but the brothers Devine leave it all in God's hands. No longer with Critical Mass, both are now well into new vocations, one as husband and father, the other as priest and member of a religious order. "The Spirit is moving" says Matt, "WYD showed us that thousands of young people are thirsting for the truth."

Fr. Tim holds that "no matter how hectic things get, if the Spirit wants something to happen, it happens." They simply plan to keep writing and singing praying that "Catholics may listen to the songs on our CDs and be lifted up in their faith."

"Catholic communities and organizations," says Matt, "need to help promote local talent in various arts - authors, artists, musicians. With Salt and Light Television and the creation of various coffeehouses, there are more opportunities arising for Catholics to surround themselves with an authentically Christian culture. We just need more support for this."

(Buonafede is a freelance writer in Toronto)

Catholic Music Network
By guest reviewer Susan Wood, singer/songwriter
June/July 2004

Ordinary? Not hardly. The title song of Devine's latest CD, Not Ordinary, is the third track and will stay with you long after the CD has been played. With an unforgettable hook and driving rock sound, it gets the message across in a fun, friendly, and forceful fashion.

Nobody's paying me to say this, but this is one piece of plastic you've just gotta have! These guys are extraordinarily talented and holy men who've let the love of Christ infuse their lives, their souls and their music.

After a recent guest appearance on EWTN's Life on the Rock, I had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Tim Devine and his older brother, Matt Devine. I would never have known that Fr. Tim is blind had no one told me. It's easy to forget it, too. He looks you right in the eye and holds your gaze, and what he sees, only God and Fr. Tim knows. What I see is a beautiful soul, full of agape love, and not at all ordinary. His brother, Matt, is equally inspiring, talented and precious to watch as he looks out for his kid brother. Formerly of the group, Critical Mass, which performed at World Youth Day 2002, Fr. Tim and Matt have been making music together since they were kids.

Of all the songs on the CD, my favorite was "Symphony," which speaks of the uniqueness and beauty of each soul and person in God's eyes. "A lot of attention was given to the song because its message is so important," said Fr. Tim. "We need to remember that we are children of God Himself; created in His image and likeness, created in love." Matt and Fr. Tim show us proof of the symphony in themselves in this song.

Following with a close 2nd place is "Queen of Peace", the final track. "I remember showing Tim the chords for this song and getting chills when he played it on the piano," said Matt, adding, "Jesus gave us a great gift in His mother, if we stay close to her, we are close to Jesus." Fr. Tim agreed, "I love singing to Our Lady. When I feel dense and closed-hearted toward Jesus, I give Mary the keys to the door of my heart and ask her to open it for me so that Jesus can come in. This prayer always works, and that's what this song is all about."

Be lifted in the CD's first track, "Psalm 67, Let the Peoples Praise You", as Devine lifts praise to God. Next, be transported to a love that knows no limits and has no time. Awesome and magnificent are not enough to describe "All That I Am," "Autumn Sky," "Running With Eyes Closed," "Clothed in Majesty," and "Only Say the Word." You will know with one listen who truly wrote all these songs. Glory be to God Almighty!

"Make Us One" reminds us of our home in Heaven and who is King over all, and our small differences must be overcome or overlooked so we can be salt for the earth and light for the world.

In short, my two cents worth: this CD Rocks!

Oh, yes, did I say you should buy this CD? No? Buy this CD. You won't be sorry. I can't tell you how many times I've played it and I'm not tired of it yet. Not even one song. Kudos to Fr. Tim and Matt, AKA Devine! This is another light for the Lord! May God Bless them richly!

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