Brave is the 2005 album by Contemporary Christian music artist Nichole Nordeman. A special edition with four bonus acoustic tracks and expanded liner notes was simultaneously released with the standard version. The album debuted at No. 119 on Billboard 200,[1] No. 2 on Top Christian Albums,[2] with 8,000 copies sold in its first week. It has sold 91,000 copies in the United States as of August 2015.[3]
Brave garnered critical acclaim from eight music critics. At Christianity Today, Russ Breimeier calling noting how the album "is musically grounded in familiar modern pop with occasional flourishes of sonic creativity".[8] Founder Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms writing that on the release she "shows herself to be a fine songwriter and emotionally gripping singer."[9] At CCM Magazine, Christa Farris stating how if the listener gives their time to hear the album "the rewards are many."[6] Johnny Loftus of AllMusic saying that it is "Nordeman's heartfelt delivery makes it an integral part of Brave's inspirational, unfailingly honest, and crisply modern approach to CCM."[5] At Christian Broadcasting Network, Jennifer E. Jones stating that "it doesn’t get much better than this."[7] Kevan Breitinger of About.com calling the album "a stand-out release."[4] At Jesus Freak Hideout, Lauren Summerford proclaiming that "Nordeman doesn't just meet the bar she has raised so high, but actually goes above it with Brave." The Phantom Tollbooth's Michael Dalton affirming this to be "a strong effort."[11]
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