Eye on It received mostly positive reviews from critics. Kim Jones of About.com rated the album four out of five stars, praising TobyMac's ability to provide fresh new music while staying true to his Christian base.[3] Also, AllMusic's James Christopher Monger rated the album four out of five, calling the tracks the most accessible collection by TobyMac to date.[4] Robert Ham of Christianity Today rated the album four out of five and listed "Favorite Song", "UnStoppable", and "Eye on It" as the top tracks, but said that "if there's any detriment to the album, it is that the singer and his collaborators are a little too enthusiastic about tossing every idea and interlude into these songs."[6] In addition, Matt Conner of CCM Magazine gave it the same rating, with saying that "TobyMac keeps things fun and light, summery vibe throughout."[5] New Release Tuesday's Sarah Fine gave the album 4.5 out of five stars, saying that "2012's Eye on It has taken shape not only as one of Toby’s most musically whimsical projects, but one of his most passionate."[12] Likewise, Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music gave the album the same rating, and told that "With this album you will find yourself dancing, thinking, crying and dreaming, but especially dancing."[11]Cross Rhythms' Tony Cummings gave it a similar rating, with a nine-out-of-ten, and he wrote that he was "certain there are tracks here that will connect – musically and spiritually – with people wherever they are heard, and with radio stations around the world guaranteed to play 'Eye On It' that's a lot of people."[8] Tyler Hess of Christian Music Zine gave the album a 4.25-out-of-a-five, and called the album a "top notch production."[13] Finally, George Welsted of Christian Music Review gave the album a perfect five and called it "Masterfully Composed and Fresh".[14]
However, some critics were less favorable. Jesus Freak Hideout gave the album three-point-five out of five in both reviews, with Roger Gelwicks writing that "Despite its weaknesses, Eye on It is a testament to good old-fashioned musicianship that gives credit to Whom it is due; the mark of an endearing album, no matter what the genre or time."[10] Indie Vision Music's Jonathan Andre rated the album three out of five, but praised TobyMac's ability to continually reinvent himself and speak to young people everywhere.[9] Calvin Moore of The Christian Manifesto, however, was highly negative, rating the album one-point-five out of five. The reviewer, Calvin Moore, stated that "While this project isn't everything that is wrong with Christian pop music, it is that saccharine, surface-level mediocre sound that appeals to far too many Christians. With a few exceptions, this endeavor is wholly forgettable."[7] Moore did find reason to praise "Lose Myself", feeling that it is the one track "showcases Toby Mac doing what he does well."[7]
Commercial performance
The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart selling 69,000 copies in total. Out of these, 35,000 were digital downloads. This was TobyMac's first No. 1 and only the third Christian album to open at that position. It also was No. 1 on the Christian Albums charts.[15] According to Billboard, this was the first time a Christian album opened in the top spot on the 200 chart since LeAnn Rimes' You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs in 1997.[15] The album beat out the hip-hop group Slaughterhouse's album Welcome to: Our House.[15] In its second week of release, the album fell to No. 8 selling 26,000 copies, bringing the total to 95,000 copies.[16] The album has sold 266,000 copies in the US as of June 2015.[17]
^ abcMoore, Calvin (August 29, 2012). "TobyMac | Eye On It". The Christian Manifesto. Archived from the original on July 16, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
^Hess, Tyler (August 27, 2012). "Tobymac – "Eye On It" (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^Welsted, George (October 3, 2012). "Toby Mac: Eye On It". Christian Music Review. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
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