Galactic Conquest

I first saw this CD at a Best Buy just sitting there by the Christian section, the last copy left. I don't usually guy stuff before listening to it, though, so I just made a note of it and left.
Weeks later, after getting it from the library, I wonder how I lived life before owning this album.
Kick starting the album (after the 20-second intro) is arguably the best track on the CD: "Love in Your Arms." A perfect mix of rock and techno, this song is a perfect example of the band's style. Most of the rest of the album sounds similar (really the only possible fault with it) and maintains the energy level even with an acoustic song thrown in the mix. The passion just becomes more evident when the tempo slows at all.
My other favorite tracks are: "Galaxies Collide," a bouncy tune about being desperate for God and ready to serve; "Feel Ok," a song saying that we don't need to feel good to be doing good, again full of that perfect Rock/Techno mix that Eleventyseven has perfected; "How it Feels," a track on what it's like to be with God. Also, there are two remixes (available with the extended digital album) that are easily my favorites. Intense and happy!
Overall, there aren't really any cons to this album except the possibility of feeling that the songs all sound the same. However, I've found that listening to them a couple times is all it takes to appreciate the differences. The tracks are like members of family now: individual and special. =P

In one word: Epic.

DrJ

The first glimpse of Eleventyseven was ...And The Land Of Fake Believe their debut album which for the most part written off as a energetic band putting out generic punk songs with juvenile lyrics. However with the entrance of their second project, Galactic Conquest, Eleventyseven is out to prove that they are not your average run of the mill band with common tunes and high school musical style lyrics.

The title of Galactic Conquest is pretty bold for only a sophomore project but the space suits and counter balance some of the seriousness. Although “ignition sequence” is only eleven seconds long it does prepare the listener for the brief voyage that basically begins with the highly synthesized, catchy, punk/rock “love in you arms”. While the quality of the sound is impressive the second track, “happiness” isn’t quite as crisp with a rough techno pop/punk tune that only runs smooth in the final lines of the chorus. While it’s rare that the songs on Galactic Conquest are not fun there are upbeat tunes which are ear-friendly that are not necessarily cutting edge such as “happiness”. “How it feels(to be with you)” is fun to listen to though the up tempo pop music is only average, and “feel okay” is simply a fun tune with a good electric guitar.

The opening trumpet of “fight to say your life” is pretty lame but the song quickly accelerates fast paced catchy intro punk/rock with an infectious chorus. The synth sound is fully amplified in “galaxies collide” where the techno sounds absorb most of the innovative song. Although “12 step programs” has some distinguishing songs the diversity, compared with the rest of the album, is low, but “retail value” and “Conan” are solid songs. The guitar driven ballad “it’s beautiful” may be simple but it does provide needed diversity and Matt Langston’s vocals are pretty good. A flaw in the CD as a whole is that it’s short (not even 35 minutes long) and what occasionally fills in space is sonically led music which is exaggerated on “love in your arms”, “retail value”, and the final synthesized instrumental finale, “Program Terminated”.

What’s nice about EleventySeven is that some of the lyrics are actually quite thoughtful which is a strength in Galactic Conquest rather than a weakness. Both “12 step programs” and “fight to save your life” send messages about Gods truth lasting far better than the deceitfulness of the world. “Feel okay” offers a rare solution to a problem the band says is overrated (‘My first impression is I don't think that depression is/The tyrant that we make it out to be/Your life is yours to live for something way more positive/Than what you woke up feeling like today’) and the singer in “love in your arms” wants Gods rather than a bunch of rules and religion. Fortunately “how it feels(to be with you)” and “galaxies collide” focus around God. Unfortunately neither are very deep.

Of course Eleventyseven does get a laugh or two along the way (particularly in “Conan”) but the focus doesn’t linger on girl guy clichés or cheesy part tracks. The music overall hits a few pit falls and the over arching sense of teen pop/punk feel will probably scare some away. But Galactic Conquest is certainly a very good sophomore project which will have more fans ready to beam up on the next voyage.

I loved And The Land of Fake Believe so when I heard that Eleventyseven had made a drastic change in their musical style I thought "would it be any good?" Thankfully Galactic Conquest answered my question for me. The CD starts off with the 12 second Initiation Sequence which segways into the album's 2nd single "Love In Your Arms" which is a mix of punk and dance beats. Very fun. "Fight to Save Your Life" is a great example of the sound that the band had on their last album. Things slow down with the 1st single "It's Beautiful" which is the only acoustic track on the album. It's my favorite acoustic track in my collection. The album picks up the pace again for the next 3 tracks then comes "Conan." It's a song that talks about how Conan O'Brian is the bands "late night TV hero." Very funny. Then comes the album closer (song wise) "Galaxies Collide." IT IS THE BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM PERIOD! The song shows off Eleventyseven's new music style, a very up-beat dance song that is highly worthy of being in a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution for those of you who don't know) video game sometime in the near future. Final track is nothing special but leave the album playing and you'll hear a hidden track called "Starship Unicorn." It's a dance song that has no words except for "the Starship Unicorn" sung over and over again. All in all, a highly recommended album and one of the best albums by a new band that I have ever heard. Thank you Eleventyseven.

The genre of Pop/Punk is very crowded i.e. Relient K, Stellar Kart. In this genre, bands like Eleventyseven were lost in the crowd, so they totally changed their sound. The result is an amazing CD that might not be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it's original.

"Love In Your Arms" is probably the highlight of the CD, and like the rest of the CD it is a great ringtone song. I mean the rock mixed with electronic is something never heard in CCM. The new sound is continued in "Happiness," but only every once in a while. The band has matured enough to keep things interesting and catchy throughout the whole album. "How It Feels (To Be With You)" is a well crafted song that builds up interest until unleashing on the chorus, satisfying to the utmost.

"It's Beautiful" is a great radio acoustic song, and it really shows the band's maturity. The lowlight is "12 Step Programs" which isn't bad, it just doesn't have the feel of the rest of the album, and feels out of place. "Conan" on the other hand is a great candidate for best pop culture reference song of the year. I first thought the song was about Conan The Barbarian, but it's actually Conan O' Brien (the guy who's taking over the Tonight Show). I won't spoil the lyrics, but they'll make you laugh. And the most surprising thing is they haven't been a guest on the guy's show. I mean they make a song about him, and he doesn't even care.

My personal favorite song off the album is "Galaxies Collide," a heavy electronic song in the style of HelloGoodbye, in that it's a electronic voice lovesong. The chorus is great, and the music is the most refreshing in years.

Overall, a must-have for anybody looking for original Christian music. The style is great and Eleventyseven have really found their niche. I mean, nobody else does it, and they do it perfectly. I would love to see the style throughout their next album, but this is one of my favorites for the year.