NEEDTOBREATHE As You've Never Heard Them Before| Posted November 16, 2018
In the fall of 2017, NEEDTOBREATHE did something they had not done before – a fully acoustic tour. Acoustic Live, Vol. 1 features twelve songs from that tour. It is their second live album in just three years. Live From The Woods was released in April, 2015, and the band has released just one full-length album 2016’s Hard Love, and two EPs 2017’s HARD CUTS: Songs from the H A R D L O V E Sessions and 2018’s Forever On Your Side Niles City Sound Sessions EP since then. Five of the twelve songs included on the new live project were also included on Live From The Woods.
The twelve songs are pulled from five of the band’s albums, plus an EP, and one, “Stand By Me”, has not previously been recorded by the band, so there is good representation from the band’s career. The album, like Live From The Woods, shows just how good a live band NEEDTOBREATHE is. The album also includes some of the band’s comments from the stage.
Below are brief comments about each of the songs: Let’s Stay Home Tonight – This song was written by Bo Rinehart, Bear Rinehart and Luke Laird. It first appeared on Hard Love. The song opens with synth and then builds with acoustic guitar, drums and piano. The backing vocals and piano solos are a highlight on this song. Drive All Night – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on The Reckoning, and was also included on Live from the Woods. Bear delivers a strong vocal over acoustic guitar, drums, backing vocals and some incredible banjo. This was the song that got me hooked on the band.
Key lyric: I need somewhere I can drive all night Out into the darkness
Follow the headlights down
I need to know if they can take me
I gotta to know if they can save me No Excuses – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on Hard Love. The song opens with acoustic guitar, and backing vocals, and features an excellent organ solo. Mid-song the band includes part of “The House of the Rising Sun”, made popular by the Animals in 1964, featuring some acapella vocals. State I’m In – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on Rivers in the Wasteland and was also included on Live From The Woods. The upbeat song opens with acoustic guitar and then builds with backing vocals, drums and piano. The song features a nice piano solo. Washed By The Water – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on The Heat, and was also included on Live From The Woods. The band plays a snippet of “I’m Free” a gospel song before starting this song. Bear offers a strong vocal over piano backing. He won’t fall as long as the Lord is around him.
Key lyric: Even when the rain falls Even when the flood starts rising ‘Cause even when the storm comes I am washing by the water Testify – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on Hard Love. This worship song opens with acoustic guitar, then builds with backing vocals, light percussion and piano. The song features a nice piano solo and some nice “Beach Boys” vocals near the end.
Key lyrics: There is a peace, there is a love You can get lost inside
Come to the fountain and let me hear you testify Oh, Carolina – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on Rivers in the Wasteland and was also included on Live From The Woods. The song opens with acoustic guitar and then builds with drums, backing vocals, guitar and piano. The song features a nice harmonica solo. As the band plays an extended version of the song, they play a snippet from the Who’s “Squeeze Box”. Stand By Me – This song was written by Ben King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was a hit by Ben E. King in 1961. This is the first time it has appeared on an NEEDTOBREATHE album. The song opens with acoustic guitar, and builds with backing vocals, a brief lead vocal from Seth Bolt, and drums. It features a nice guitar solo and a powerful ending. Stones Under Rushing Water – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart and features Drew and Ellie Holcomb. It first appeared on The Outsiders.
The song opens with acoustic guitar and builds with drums. The song features a nice harmonica solo and acapella vocals.
Key lyrics: Yeah, the years go by Like stones under rushing water
We only know
We only know when it's gone White Fences – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on The Reckoning. The song begins with acoustic guitar, then drums and backing vocals are added. The keys stood out for me on this track.
Key lyric: You leave me in the dark Recounting all my sins
You put words in my mouth
But who is gonna mend
These white fences Cages – This song was written by Bo Rinehart and Bear Rinehart. It first appeared on HARD CUTS: Songs from the H A R D L O V E Sessions. The song opens with piano, acoustic guitar, and different band members alternate on lead vocals. The song features a nice guitar solo.
Key lyrics: I went looking for attention In all the wrong places
I was needing a redemption
And all I got was just cages Brother – This song was written by Bo Rinehart, Bear Rinehart and Gavin DeGraw. It first appeared on Rivers in the Wasteland and was also included on Live From The Woods. This song begins with acoustic guitar and light percussion. It builds with some excellent vocals, and eventually an audience singalong.
Key lyric: Brother, let me be your shelter Never leave you all alone I can be the one you call When you’re low Brother, let me be your fortress When the night winds are driving on Be the one to light the way Bring you home.
to add lyrics if not listed.
