Coming to you from sunny Southern California and working at Saddleback church, Jadon Lavik built up quite the radio story that is respected amoungst the “worship genre.” After releasing three albums —- Moving On Faith (2004), Life On The Inside (2006) and the worship album Roots Run Deep (2008) -- Jadon then released “The Road Acoustic” in 2009. Lavik makes singing and playing guitar look so effortless as he takes the stage. You are sure to enjoy the simple acoustic sounds that only Jadon Lavik can produce in such the Southern Californian fashion.
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Jadon Lavik [The Road]| Posted October 20, 2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
Jadon Lavik has performed on numerous Saddleback Church albums and sings in front of nearly 20,000 parishioners every weekend when combining all the services which has truly been an education in praise directed ministry. All those goods, combined with an incredibly appealing voice, cozy croon and down to earth demeanor drew attention from BEC Recordings and his official recording career was born. After releasing Moving On Faith in 2004 to critical acclaim, consistent touring and the meteoric single “What If”, the stage was set for a much anticipated follow-up found in Life On the Inside. Last year, Jadon released the praise & worship album Roots Run Deep and now he is releasing The Road, an acoustic collection.
First song “Hear Our Song” is a simple yet passionate plea of praise with these worshipful lyrics: “Father hear our song, A song of praise to the worthy one, In joyous surrender With our eyes fixed on You, May our lives bring you glory to serve you in all that we do”. The acoustic version of “Moving On Faith” reminded me of “Tell Me” by Josh Wilson. Jadon’s version of “Come Thou Fount” is done as though he’s in my living room leading worship and I can’t help but sing along in worship to the all-time great hymn. “Father” was a hit song from Life On the Inside and this stripped down version really captures the passion of this prayer-song with the sincere lyrics: “ I cry out and You answer, I cry out and You answer, Father I know You listen when I pray, Father would You hear these simple words I say”. Such song and stylistic explanations further lay the ground work for the overarching meaning of the song “On The Outside”. Not only does it possess a reflective and meditative tone, but the moniker also exposes this singer/songwriter as incredibly authentic and unabashedly honest who genuinely wants to impact listeners with his beliefs.
“What If” is my favorite overall song by Jadon. I can’t help but get emotional listening to the bridge: “What have I done to deserve Your son sent to die for me, What can I give, I want to live, give me eyes to see, In a world that keeps changin' there's one thing that I know is true, Your love is stayin', there's nothing else I'll hold onto”. The whole album has a classic acoustic feel which is well suited to Jadon’s singer-songwriter style and his smooth vocals. If you like this album, you need to also check out Jadon’s album Life On the Inside.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you like Bebo Norman, Josh Wilson, Paul Colman and Jimmy Needham, then you should enjoy Jadon Lavik’s The Road. For me, the standout songs are “Hear Our Song”, “Come Thou Fount”, “Father”, “On The Outside” and “What If”.
Rating: 8.0 out of 10 (80%, B-)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
The Road Accoustic| Posted October 17, 2009
10-16-09 WOW! that - "What Wondrous Love" - is seriously going to stick in my head. And "Surrender" - moving and at the same time very encouraging. I always love Jadon's crooning, but his dedication comes out in his subtle acoustic guitar. I signed up for the pre-sale of the CD, but I’m glad I didn’t have to wait to hear it. Thanks for posting the album preview. I’ve got to e-mail your site address to my friends
very catchy, relevant| Posted October 13, 2009
this album is interesting, catchy, not at all sacchrine and packaged like some christian artists are prone to get. i enjoyed it. some of the pieces have a "shane and shane" quality to them. but then again, others are quite different. he sounds kind of like matt nathanson on a few as well. i like that about this album.
Jadon Lavik, The Road Acoustic| Posted October 13, 2009
The lyrics very clear and understandable. I found myself paying more attention to the lyrics than to other artist's albums. I would want to listen to this album again.
10/5/09 Clay| Posted October 06, 2009
Glad I found this - I've been anxious to hear it. Sounds good over my lap top speakers. Can't wait until I can get a real CD into a proper CD player. What's with the album art, I've seen a couple different versions floating around. I like this one, it has that "searching, following" theme I find in your lyrics. Thanks - your work is a real blessing.
Smoothe but crashing.| Posted October 13, 2009
First off this is my first time hearing Jadon, and this is the only CD I've heard, "The Road Acoustic". So Don't let this review hinder your checking out his other music if he has it.
Ok, to start the review I'd like to say that well, this is an acoustic album, meaning all the songs are done with acoustic guitars and vocals only, so your looking at some plain-ness there right off the bat, and you kinda have to shift gears if your into heavier music or not so much heavier, but more full music to appreciate it.
I was intrigued at the start of the album by his sound and was interested in the rest of it, but as I kept listening he kept getting more and more repetative with instrumentals and "Christian glazed" with the lyrics, meaning they are pretty standard lyrics that everyone sings... :/
A few of the songs have good chill feels which I enjoyed, however I mainly listened to the guitars because of what they were doing, and didn't find myself listening to the vocals because there was a lack of depth.
Jadon has a good voice, but I feel like the music he writes holds it back from it's full potential. And that, I believe, hurts the over-all CD.
I would suggest if your into pretty standard worship music with a chill feel this CD would be a good buy. However, if your into more intricate instrumentals, deeper lyrics (Than normal artists write), or strong vocals that carry, this specific CD may be a poor choice. :[
My final opinion on the CD for myself is that when I'm down or just want to lay down and relax on the couch or something this CD would be a good one for me to listen to, but any other time it doesn't quite cut the cake.
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