With the release of its 11th studio album Revelation, Third Day’s Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, Mark Lee and David Carr have hit new heights as Christian music’s premiere rock band.
Recorded in Los Angeles, the first time Third Day has worked on a project outside of the South, Third Day’s signature rock sounds gets an infusion of new energy thanks to the band’s new collaboration with producer by Howard Benson (Daughtry, Flyleaf, Hoobastank, P.O.D.).
With his heart on his sleeve, frontman and principal lyricist Mac Powell gives voice to the emotions all believers feel as they attempt to reconcile everyday struggles with the hope born of salvation. Songs like “Run to You,” “Born Again,” “Who I Am,” and the first single, “Call My Name” are like musical stepping stones on the band’s creative journey. The result is a new chapter in Third Day’s story; it is truly a musical revelation.
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Top 10 Release Of 2008| Posted December 16, 2008
Three years ago, I placed Third Day in my top 10 of the year for the first time with their last studio release, Wherever You Are. The pick shocked me as I?ve always struggled to connect with Third Day?s recorded music (their concerts, on the other hand, have always impressed me). So while I was eagerly anticipating their ninth studio release, Revelation, a part of me was ready to call Wherever You Are a fluke in my personal preferences.
Revelation grabbed me from the first chord and didn?t get let go. It was one of the few albums this year that was an instant hit as the band returned to straight rock, powered forward with incredible speed by Mac Powell?s unique and solid voice, simply unmatched in Christian music.
I know a lot of people who don?t like Third Day simply because of their success and honestly, I struggled with picking such a mainstream release as my top choice. During the past 15 years, Third Day has built an impressive career. The Georgia-based band has won 23 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, earned two consecutive American Music Award nods winning this year, and multiple ASCAP honors for their songwriting skills. Their catalog of hits has helped define the Christian radio landscape for more than a decade while the band scored 24 No. 1 singles and sold more than six million albums. But every once in awhile, a band surpasses their own greatness and surprises everyone with an album even more accessible than their last. Third Day has done just that with Revelation, pushing the definition and quality of what Christian music can be. It is accessible to anyone, finely balancing themes that Christians and non-Christians alike can relate to in any setting, and it?s an album worthy of everyone?s attention.
Best Third Day since Time, Top 10 of 2008!| Posted November 03, 2008 Third Day had me at Love Song, the standout song from their debut album in 1996. I was seeking Christianity at the time and had just discovered my favorite band Jars Of Clay and couldn't get enough of Christian music, also including Audio Adrenaline and Newsboys. The 1990's were key in the development and influence on the Christian music scene and Third Day pioneered Christian Southern Rock, in the same musical style as great bands Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special and fellow Atlanta band Collective Soul. I grew up on those bands and had no trouble enjoying the rock songs from Third Day, Conspiracy No. 5 and the all-time great Time which were all a great mix of rock and worship songs. The 2000's brought Offerings, Come Together and Offerings II and I've enjoyed every album, but I missed that late 1990's original rock album, in particular Time as the songs were so personal and catchy with no filler songs and little repetition.
Revelation is that Third Day album I've been waiting for since Time. Even though Wire and Wherever You Are have had hit songs like I Believe and Cry Out To Jesus, I've missed that complete album experience. This Is Who I Am and Slow It Down, with guest vocalist Chris Daughtry, start it off with great personal songs and Mac Powell's vocals have never been better. Hit song Call My Name is a highlight and probable Dove Award nominee. For me, the standout songs which make this a complete album are the next group of songs Run To You, one of 2 songs featuring Flyleaf vocalist Lacey Mosley along with one of my personal favorites Born Again. Those 2 songs are great examples of how this album is more diverse and original sounding than I've heard in a long time from this legendary band. The middle section of the album between those 2 songs including title song Revelation and Otherside are also incredible, worshipful and personal and are among the best songs on the album, which is top 10 of 2008 in my opinion.
Third Day [Revelation]| Posted October 07, 2008 [MAIN REVIEW]
This marks my first review of a Third Day album in nearly three years. My former writer, Mike Strubie took on the task of writing reviews for Chronology 1 & 2, but I was excited to write another review for this group after a long wait. A lot has changed within the band in those short three years as well. 2008 marks some changes with the group, some good and some sad, but changes nonetheless.
In February 2008, the Third Day message boards reported that long-time guitarist; Brad Avery had left the band. Why? No one really knows for sure, other then to pursue other avenues. Many were shocked about this, as was I. I mean how could Third Day be Third Day without Brad Avery? They have and they will. I know the Lord has plans for this group. Never thought any of the original members would leave the group, but hey, changes are needed at times. The band even has a new management outfit. The only thing that hasn’t changed? The group’s heart for ministry and glorifying God with their music.
Revelation is the start of something new for this band whose music has uplifted and encouraged hundreds of thousands of fans for well over a decade. Producing this time around is Howard Benson. Benson is best known for his work with such mainstream bands as Hoobastank, Seether & Theory of a Deadman, just to name a few. He also produced such successful Christian artists’ projects as Flyleaf’s and Chris Daughtry’s debut albums as well. Mac Powell talks about the band working with Benson in the June 7, 2008 edition of Billboard magazine, which the band is also featured on the cover. Powell says “We really wanted to shake things up. We chose to work with Howard because of the past music he had done. We loved those records and the vision he had for those albums. At the time, they weren’t easy decisions—to go somewhere else and the record with somebody different—but in hindsight I’m so glad we did.” You can tell the difference after your first listen through to the new album. It rocks.
For those of you who are asking, “Is this going to be the same as Third Day’s post-Time projects?” No, it’s different and better. I love TD’s early stuff, but I could never understand why such criticism of their latter albums. I loved “Wire” and “Wherever You Are”; I just couldn’t understand the negative views. Sounds like Metallica of the mainstream with their changes made after the release of their 1991 album, know as the ‘Black’ album. These guys haven’t sold out. They are still in it for the right reasons.
Revelation gets revved up with “This Is Who I Am”. The track sounded similar musically to some of the rock tracks found on Wire. I found the message refreshing, and invigorating. Not being afraid of what God’s molded you into. I think as Christians we always strive for the Lord to ‘make us better then what we were before’. The song points this out as being something we should ask God of in our lives. We could always use some positive change, reinforced into what the Lord has made us into.
“Slow Down” reminded me of some of TD’s earlier stuff. The track also features BGVs provided by American Idol finalist (fifth season), Chris Daughtry. I really liked the harmony of Powell and Daughtry’s voice throughout the song. One sad thing I noticed was Brad’s signature guitar solos. They’re not bad, but I am going to miss his unique style. The chorus really seems to touch on the changes going on in the band, although I know that the song’s not about that in particular, but the chorus almost seems to use that as an example. “Oh, I don’t want to let go / Of all the things that I know / Are keeping me away from my life / Oh, I don’t want to slow down”. Strange, but made me think of it.
“Call My Name” once again proves that Third Day can bring forth uplifting and ministering singles that speak out blatantly about the love and mercy God shows us everyday. First there was “Cry Out To Jesus” from Wherever You Are and now “Call My Name”. I remember the first time I heard the single on the radio and I’m like, “Wow, this is the new Third Day huh?” The song grew on me quickly, and I find myself singing the chorus while I am walking around. The message is the same as some of the bands past songs, speaking from the Savior’s point-of-view like, “Love Song”, “Come On Back To Me” and “Cry Out To Jesus”. I really liked it and it seems to be doing well in radio with its ‘rely-solely-on-Jesus’ encouraging message. “You just call My name and I’ll be there”
“Run To You” is one of two songs on the album that features hard-rock band Flyleaf’s lead-singer, Lacey Mosley. I have to say that I was shocked to see that the band had Lacey guest vocal not only on one track, but two. I quickly fell in love with the song though. I think Lacey’s voice really adds something to the song that really compliments Mac Powell’s voice. I mean Ashley Cleveland was pretty decent on “Mountain of God” (from Wherever You Are), but it didn’t strike me in the same way as Lacey’s contributions on “Run To You”. The song’s message once again, to me, points out the dependence a believer should have with having a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Lord & Savior. The second verse really spoke to me personally. When I have been in that ‘prodigal’ state of mind, it’s then the Lord reminds me, “Jay, it’s time to turn back”. Amen? “Now I got a feeling / That I’ve got to leave and / Find a way back to where I came from / Though I don’t deserve it / I know it’s unheard but / Living here without you, my life is done
I confess that I shouldn’t have run from you / Now I know I was wrong”
I really enjoyed both the message and music of the album’s title track, “Revelation”. It certainly got me thinking about a lot of things. I think there are a lot of us that question God daily with the usual questions like, “What do you want me to do God?” I ask this all the time. “Lord, can’t you just tell me exactly what it is that You want me to be doing?” I think the chorus really touches on the reality of our situations in life as Christians. Give me a revelation / Show me what to do / ‘Cause I’ve been trying to find my way / I haven’t got a clue”. We just have to continue to allow the Lord to show us the way and to pray that His will be done in our lives. A revelation would be nice though! J
Yet another amazing guest contribution can be found on the next track, “The Other Side”. Robert Randolph. A name not that many people have heard, but I can guarantee you that that won’t be the case for long. I had the opportunity to see Robert Randolph & the Family Band open for one of my all-time favorite guitarists, Eric Clapton recently and I was very impressed with his talents on the guitar. Randolph’s guitar work is not what most would view as traditional either. He doesn’t play guitar standing up, but rather sitting down tearin it up on a steel guitar! Great track!
Skipping ahead to “Born Again”, another track which features Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosley. The track really allows the listener a chance to hear Mosley’s vocals in a different light. I thought it was much different then her work with her band, Flyleaf. The song got me thinking about the day that I gave my life to Christ. June 25, 2003. It’s like my entire world opened up, letting light in for the first time. I was a new creation, I was born again. I know I am not the only one who could relate to the message here. “It feels like I’m living / For the very first time”. As cheesy as this may sound to some, this describes exactly how I felt when I was born-again. I felt different, and for a very good reason.
I wasn’t expecting a country-sounding song on this album honestly, but you know what? Third Day is a southern-rock style band, so it’s only fitting that they throw a country/bluegrass laced track on here. “Give Love” is the track I mention. “Listen very closely as I sing this song / And please believe that I mean every word / When I say I love you / I mean it with all my heart / Let it be the best thing that you’ve ever heard”. Imagine Christ saying this to you. Well, He is. He’s speaking this love to your heart. Do you hear Him?
“Thank God for mercy / Thank God for His grace / Thank God for everything you’ve got / Before it’s too late”. Man, this is something that I say in my prayers everyday! “Caught Up In Yourself” talks about this very subject. I may not have everything that I have ever wanted in my life, but one thing that God has given me that is more valuable then anything in the world is His mercy, His grace and the salvation He gave me, made possible only through the sacrifice of His only Begotten Son, who gave His life on the cross for me. I could never thank God enough for what He’s done for me. I’m happy and content with not being a millionaire baseball player like I envisioned when I was a kid and I’m thankful for that too. I have so much more to offer the world that Christ has given me then being caught up in myself. I don’t need those kinds of headaches. Boy, the Lord knew what He was doing when He allowed my bad depth perception to keep me from being successful in baseball!
I could go on an on about Revelation, but I will close with this. I think Third Day fans out there will be impressed with what the band has to offer on the new record. Is it good? I think so. But I’ll let you be the judge of that.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Third Day will always hold a special place in my heart. Their music was the first in the Christian genre that I really got to listening to after getting saved. I was encouraged and strengthened in my faith by listening to their records. I am thankful that the Lord is working in groups like this. Revelation is sure to be a shining diamond that’s ministering glare will shine on for years to come. Third Day has done it once again. Bringing forth some good southern-fried rock with huge helpings of ministering messages. Mac, Mark, David and Tai … I commend you for a job well done!
Rating: 9.0 out of 10 (90%, A-)
Review written by: Jay Heilman | 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!
INDUSTRY LEADERS DELIVER ANOTHER STELLAR EFFORT| Posted September 29, 2008
The pillars holding up the modern Christian music scene will eventually crumble. It’s simply bound to happen. But Third Day boldly declares this isn’t happening anytime soon on its latest release, Revelation.
Then again, you already knew that. The moment the album’s lead single, “Call My Name,” hit radio, it was the latest in a long line of brilliantly crafted sing-along pop tunes. The response toward Mac Powell & Co. was clear. Another trail to No. 1 was blazed, and the trend only continues through the rest of the album.
The production on Revelation showcases a seasoned band working with a new-yet-veteran producer in Howard Benson (Flyleaf, P.O.D.). And the results are perhaps the band’s best work to date. It’s an industry legend stretching its wings, a sure-handed group choosing to experiment just enough. In other words, it’s the perfect combination.
Background vocals from Chris Daughtry and Lacey Mosley of Flyleaf deliver equally compelling moments on “Slow Down” and “Born Again” respectively, the latter being one of the highlights on an album full of them. “I’ll Always Be True” evokes memories of the band’s self-titled debut, while “Run To You” delivers powerful lyrics of submission and our need for God.
The surefire ballads are here, and you might as well add “Let Me Love You” to the band’s list of chart-topping hits. Other AC numbers like “Give Love” and “Take It All” are equally moving at points, and Powell saves some of his best vocal work for these tunes.
Just as Good Monsters solidified the second leg of Jars of Clay’s career, this is bound to do the same for Third Day. Revelation is just that, a musical realization that Third Day isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. –Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Third Day's "Revelation": A Review| Posted September 02, 2008
by C.E. Moore
Third Day is back with their best album yet. “Revelation” is a triumphant return to form for the band while also blazing a brand new trail creatively. In so many ways, this album marks a new beginning for Third Day. Beginning with their 10th studio effort, we find the band recording [for the first time] outside of Atlanta, working with new producer Howard Benson (Daughtry, Flyleaf, Hoobastank), down one band member, and partnering with a new management firm that has myriad inroads into the mainstream market in such ways that won’t alienate Third Day’s fan base.
Three years have passed since Third Day’s “Wherever You Are” hit the shelves and airwaves. While it took a while for that particular album to grow on me, with “Revelation” I was riveted from the get-go. This is everything that listeners have come to expect from Third Day over the years. The southern, rootsy rock sound is there. Mac Powell’s vocals are as potent as ever. The lyrics are God glorifying yet connect with culture. The instruments are forceful yet not overpowering, even with the absence of Brad Avery’s signature guitars.
Third Day ignites things with “This Is Who I Am” a go-ahead track that let’s you know they’re back with a new bag of tricks. Secure in where they’ve been as a band and how they’ve been received, Powell croons I’m a saint and a sinner/I’m a lover and a fighter/I’m a true believer with great desire/I’m a preacher of grace, prophet of love, teacher of truth/I’ve fallen down so many times/But here I stand in front of you…“Slow Down” is a great rocker that boasts tight harmonies and a guest spot from American Idol finalist, Daughtry. “Call My Name” is the current single that is sitting atop the AC charts and with the release of this album is poised to be there for quite a bit longer. “Run To You” is the best song on the album. One of Third Day’s mid-tempo signature ballads, Flyleaf frontwoman Lacey Moseley guests on the track with her haunting vocals, eclipsing Mac Powell—a feat in itself. In fact, this track is worth the price of the album alone. Never did I think I’d see the day where I would use one album to promote another artist’s, but this song will have you running to the nearest music store or digital media store to download Flyleaf’s album as well. It’s that good. Title track “Revelation” is another shining example of Mac Powell’s role as a modern day psalmist. The lyrics capture the words that so many of us emotionally and spiritually find ourselves at a loss for, but cry “Yes! That’s what I feel!” when Powell belts it out. And that’s just the first 5 songs! Lest you think the album is front heavy with hits and the back end sucks, let me assure you…the “back nine” are just as strong, especially “Otherside,” “I Will Always Be True,” and “Born Again.”
Normally, as a critic I feel a need to give some form of a critique. But, I’ve listened to this album several times now, thought on the music, thought on the words, thought on the changes, thought on the consistencies and I…just…can’t…find…a…flaw.
“Revelation” is an absolutely stellar album. May I humbly suggest that it might just be the definitive album of the summer and the magnum opus of Third Day’s career? Taking the best of such albums as “Time,” “Conspiracy #5,” “Wire,” and “Wherever You Are,” fans are in for a real treat with this new offering from a band that has stood the test of time and stands poised to continue that trend for a long time to come.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
Road to Revelation| Posted July 25, 2008
Some years back, when Third Day was just creeping over the ten year mark as a band, an interviewer asked lead singer Mac Powell if he thought Third Day would make it as far as twenty years like the Band Avalon. Powell simply said he didn’t think so. Since the band’s debut in 1993 all Third Day has done is dominate the charts and flood the Christian air waves with singles, and with now eleven albums and more than a handful of awards is it possible that the bands fifteen year career is at an end? The CD is called Revelation after all, and the final book in the Bible was named that also.
It took about as much time for Third Day’s first single “call my name” to reach the top of the charts as it does to change the oil. The first thing that’s apparent from the song is that there is some spark to the song, an inspirational flow that is almost perfect, a jump back from the regular worship tunes to the southern rock act that fans were accustomed to. Surrounding that is “this is who I am”, a southern rock tune which puts a big role on the electric guitar and “slow down”, a fast moving, and almost certainly a future hit, and solid rock beat featuring Daughtry. The first half of the album is split into, with the heavier, grittier songs leading off, letting the softer materiel pad the back like the ballad “take is all”, a simple light piece which thrives on emotion. Allowing Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosley vocals take a part in “run to you” is an interesting ingredient which I don’t recall Third Day deploying before in that much of a dose, as the rock song is rough on the chorus but it maintains stability.
The title track isn’t as impressive as previous tracks but it does a decent job, but whoever was taking care of the electric guitar during ”other side” did a poor job because the he guitar gets out of control in a very loud song. Simplicity plays an unwelcome role in as Revelation progresses, simplicity and generic music. The up beat tune of “give love” is a little snappy and the banjo is a nice diversifying tactic, but the song at its heart is almost painfully basic. Lacey Mosley doesn’t seem to go away, because she enters again in “born again”, which would have been straight worship song had it not been for her vocals. “Caught up in yourself” is one of the southern rock tunes that lack fire, and it sounds too much like former tracks. It seems like Third Day ran out of energy when it came to the second half of the CD musically.
Third Day’s writing, more accurately Mac Powell, has always been recognized as impressive, despite their generally shallow singles which “call my name” is no exception. The song’s lyrics seemed to resemble “come on back to me” too much, and say what you will the song really isn’t that deep or original, it simply sounds terrifically emotional and inspirational. Nothing to unheard of is mentioned in the lyrics, “this is who I am” has very little to do with anything and “let me love you” sounds like a regular love song (‘Come on let me love you now/Come on let me love you /And hold you through the storm/I will keep you safe and warm’). “Take it All” has solid lyrics but it says ‘I can’t make it on my own’ which sounds like ‘I’ve got nothing without You’ in “revelation”. And speaking of “revelation” the song is about a man who has left God but is back and wanting a revelation from heaven that will say what he should do, despite that God has already told him what men should do in his book called the, um Bible. Missed that one Mac. The lyrics painfully fallow suit with songs like “other side” and “let me love you” where their best weapons are sounding emotional and meaningful.
Making the front Billboard is hard enough to do without being a band that has played in front of Christian audience for years. But Third Day made it, and along with some mainstream airplay there are other reasons to begin to doubt Third Day’s authenticity as a firm Christian band. Like the reason that three of the four bands they invited for the recording of Revelation (Daughtry, Hoobastank, P.O.D. and Flyleaf) are made up of Christians who mainly run the mainstream side of the fence when it comes to their music. Also, when discussing the new album (‘Our goal for the album is for these songs to hold out hope for people. Our desire is that people do relate to a lot of struggles that are in some of these songs, but at the same time on this album find strength and find hope and encouragement.’) Third Day guitarist Mark Lee fails to mentions God or eternal things. Mix in the fact that none of the lyrics on Revelation mention God by name and you might have a case and say Third Day has let their lyrics suffer for the new attention. However past albums and quotes make it doubtful that is the case and the ‘you’ in the songs cannot really be taken to mean someone other than God.
Back to the question that started off the review: of course not! Despite some idle speculation of this writer every indication says that we will be “enjoying” Third Days music for years to come. The vocals are more aggressive and the melodies have gotten harder, some of it is simple and generic but most of it is fresh southern rock music that fans have been enjoying for years. The lyrics are the same, the music isn’t much different, and the signs that Third Day might be leaning toward the mainstream side of things is a little premature… but not impossible.
Great Third Day Album| Posted July 29, 2008
This one of the best third day albums I have heard. I like the songs This is Who I am, Call My Name, Run to You, Born Again, Take it All, and Revelation. I like it whens Lacey Mosely sings with Mac Powell on Born Again. And if you buy it from musichristian.com you get a shirt and the cd. So go get it the album it great.
AWESOME| Posted July 23, 2008
This is the greatest band ever! Unbelievable how every album outdoes their last!! This is an awesome album. I pre-ordered it at a local venue, and can not wait to have it so I can listen to it in my car too. Third Day is the greatest band.
third day is awesome.| Posted July 14, 2008
i love all these songs and they are just a really great group! i could listen to these song over and over again but i would have to say Call my name is my favorite song=)
Just Awesome!| Posted April 18, 2011
This is the first Third Day record that I got, and I have since gotten the rest of them. Their music is really up-lifting and they have songs for everything. If you are looking for great music, then Third Day has you covered.
Thumbs Up!| Posted May 19, 2009
This CD is by far one of my faves of theirs! I was so excited that salvation mountain was their inspiration . I LOVE that place. I'm hoping to get there this summer. :) It's so spiritually uplifting. And the cd is the same. I pre-ordered this cd for my dad before it came out, since he is a huge Third Day fan as well. Now I need to get my own copy! No more stealing his all of the time.:P
I'm not a country music fan, and yet Third Day knows how to vibe the country-ish twang and the rock/contemporary music. I still love their old school stuff though, I can't get over the classics like "mad". My favorite album would be "Wire" followed closely by Revelation. Two Thumbs Up!
Give me Revelation| Posted May 07, 2009
Show me what to do!!
TY Mac, for your music that has me worshiping the Lord.
Revelation is my favorite.Then again, so is Run to You....just to know we can run to our Father God's arms.And Slow Down, Other Side, Take it All......
whew.....AMEN!!
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