Introducing brand new music from South Carolina based band NEEDTOBREATHE. The Outsiders is the follow up to their best-selling release The Heat which yielded two #1 singles, and a top 5 single at Christian radio. Known for their second-to-none live performances, profound lyrics and song arrangements, The Outsiders delivers on all fronts with stand outs: “Lay ‘Em Down”, ‘Let Us Love” and “Garden”.
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NEEDTOBREATHE [The Outsiders]| Posted October 12, 2009
NEEDTOBREATHE?s third album is called The Outsiders?and listening to the anthemic title track that opens the 14-song collection, it?s clear that they embrace this label as both a badge of honor and a battle cry. The sons of an Assembly of God pastor, Bear and Bo Rinehart had inherited their father?s gift with words, and put it to good use in their songwriting; their mother taught piano, making music a constant part of their young lives. NEEDTOBREATHE was formed in 1999 by Bear and Bo with childhood friends Joe Stillwell and Seth Bolt from Possum Kingdom, South Carolina.
Perhaps you?ve heard past hit songs ?Shine On?, ?Signature of Divine (Yahweh)?, ?More Time? and ?Washed By The Water? by this amazing band. If you like what you?ve heard before then you have to go buy The Outsiders right away. This album will have you hooked right from the opening title track, which really sets the tone for this album. As Christians, we truly are ?outsiders? and we need to ?stand our ground? as this anthem urges. ?Valley of Tomorrow? reflects on that ?little voice? of the Holy Spirit speaking to us, killing our selfishness that turns us away from God. Next is the Peter Gabriel-esque anthem ?Through Smoke?, with another picture of the Holy Spirit as the answers and the Truth that finds us ?through smoke?.
?Lay ?Em Down? is the first single and is based on the hymn ?All Who Are Thirsty?. The gospel feel of the song is similar to Dove award winning ?Washed By The Water?. I get choked up when I pray along to the words of the song ?Come down to the river, Come and let yourself in, Make good on a promise, To never hurt again, If you're lost and lonely, You're Broken down, Bring all of your troubles come lay 'em down?. The alt-rock edge of ?Hurricane? frames an incredible song about the sin that comes from our pride. Here?s the chorus: ?We roll the dice we play like fools, We plead with time to change the rules, Its like a hurricane is coming our way, We've all been warned but we still chose to stay?.
Bear?s vocals are emotive yet honest, making the words he?s singing all the more powerful and moving. ?Stones Under Rushing Water?, featuring Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek is achingly beautiful, both musically and perhaps even more so lyrically. The song is about the desire to maintain the joy over the years in a married relationship of slow dancing, laughing and smiling and not let those things fade away. Then there?s the blues-inflected rocker ?Prisoner?, the back-porch ease of ?Won?t Turn Back? and the philosophically minded ballad ?These Hard Times?, reflecting the album?s wide range of sounds.
The last 4 songs really show the musical and lyrical excellence and diversity of NEEDTOBREATHE. ?Girl Named Tennessee? is a great fun song about an encounter with an unnamed girl from Tennessee. ?Something Beautiful? is my favorite song on the album with these very moving lyrics: ?Hey now, this is my desire, Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful, To touch me, I know that I'm in reach, 'Cause I am down on my knees, I'm waiting for something beautiful?. ?Garden? is a gorgeous orchestral ballad sung in the person of Jesus in Gethsemane. I am extremely moved by the song and the bridge of ?Father let My heart be for You, For You, For You, For You? has me in tears. As if the album wasn?t amazing enough, it ends with another anthem ?Let Us Love?, calling us to action to ?love like we were children and live like we?re still living?. I can?t think of a better way to cap off an incredible album.
I didn?t think NEEDTOBREATHE could top The Heat, but each album has gotten better and The Outsiders is the most catchy and meaningful album I?ve heard this year. This is truly a 5 star album and ranks #1 for me for 2009 and is in my top 10 albums of the decade. Every song is absolutely amazing.
itching to listen to this album| Posted August 27, 2009
after listening to THE HEAT so many times i had to make a backup of the original album from almost ruining the original. i couldn't wait for album 3 to release. right off the bat, the licks with the banjo were simply delightful and catchy. i caught myself tapping my foot and didn't know how to stop. then the head began to bop back and forth. it's like listening to David Crowder's bluegrass version of worship and you're constantly tapping your foot and bopping your head without full understanding of how it even started. it's almost a requirement to enjoy the music!
needtobreathe has been instrumental in creating music that has incredible beats, licks, and musical tendencies that you can't but help move some part of your body. little did i know about this band until 3 years ago when i went with their label to a concernt in Ft Wayne, Indiana while they were touring with Train. i wasn't sure what the crowd's response would be to this little band touring with a monster group. i was happily surprised that the crowd loved them!
the response in the lobby was amazing at the artists' table. we unwrapped so many cds that night b/c people couldn't wait to put the CD in their stereo on the way home.
i gotta give this album another high rating. the lyrics are challenging, they cover everything from heartache, troubles, inspiration, high hopes, and decision making to make our relationship with Christ stronger each day. we live in a troubled world and this album will help anyone who is discouraged and frstrated to give them a boost in life. well done again fellas!
LOVE IT!!!| Posted May 08, 2011
This is a truly awesome cd! Needtobreathe has such a unique sound and is a good break from the mainstream type of music. I absolutely love Bo and Bear's voices and the instruments are unique sounding as well. I love how the tracks on the cd are all different but have a subtle theme that ties them all together. Anyone who has not listened to this cd reall really should.
The best so far| Posted August 06, 2010
This is an incredible album. The best that Needtobreathe has had so far and songs like "Something Beautiful" and "The Outsiders" just get me singing at the top of my lungs all the time.
Great album from beginning to end| Posted May 20, 2010
It's not often I can listen to an album over and over without eventually finding a song or two that I skip most of the time. The Outsiders has managed to be an album full of great songs I never have to worry about a song getting old on.
On the Outside| Posted February 10, 2010
Needtobreathe released "The Outsiders" last fall, and I downloaded it immediately from iTunes. They had teased us with songs like "Lay 'em Down" and "These Hard Times". But this album is full of hit songs. I just can't believe these guys haven't broken through yet. They have really progressed with each album and The Outsiders is their best yet.
They go rockin' with songs like "Through Smoke" and get soft with "Stones Under Rushing Water" and "Garden". The Garden is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the CD as it takes a personal look at Jesus and his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
These guys have a sound all their own and "The Outsiders" is definitely worth owning. As I look back at 2009, it would definitely be my number album for the year. Nothing else comes close.
Better than before?| Posted January 02, 2010
It's really hard for me to pick between "The Outsiders" and "The Heat". I love both albums tremendously, but I think I would have to go with "The Outsiders". I think this album shows Needtobreathe's unique southern style better. There is not a single song that I don't like. I have almost worn my cd out because I play it so much. I Can't wait to see more from these guys.
Best Christian album of the year !!!!| Posted December 22, 2009
This cd gets maximum play in our home.
Only wish I could get it on qaulity vinyl so I could hear the soungs analog old school style.
This is great Christian music !!!
Fantastic mix of Southern Rock and Gosple| Posted October 10, 2009
I bought the c.d yesterday and I can't help but listening to it over and over. My favorite tracks on the album so far are The Outsiders, Lay 'em Down, and Let us Love. They are beautifully written and make me want to get up, sing and dance ignoring the fact that I sound like fingernails on a blackboard, and have no rhythm. I would definately reccomend this C.d or any of their previous ones as they get better with each one.
Southern boys doin us proud| Posted September 08, 2009
there isnt one bad word i can say about this album, i bought their first album on a whim and couldnt have been happier. when i saw they were coming out with a new album i had to get it. i love the traditional bluegrass sound with a mix of a little southern rock. i just makes me happy to listen to this cd. and i bought it on itunes so i recieved the two acoustic videos and thats just like the cherries on top of the ice cream on top of the icing on the cake. its wonderful :) i look forward to seeing these guys live as soon as i can
Needtobreathe Got Me Again....| Posted August 24, 2009
The first time I listened to The Heat I was caught off guard because I began liking this band when I first bought Daylight, I can say The Heat was a perfect bridge to this album.
The Heat seemed to really bridge the style gap and prepare you for the southern offering that The Outsiders provides.
From 1-14 this is a great CD to listen too, it has grown on me big time after two full playthroughs just like The Heat did, musically and lyrically this is the band at their best and you can really tell they poured their hearts and souls into this disc even more so then The Heat which I felt was an extremely emotional CD.
Highlights: Something Beautiful, Garden, The Outsiders, Let Us Love, Lay Em Down, Stones Under Rushing Water
There wasnt a song on this CD I skipped over, big thumbs up.