“It is the purest form of Raw Rock” Showbread guitarist Mike Jensen says of their album The Fear Of God. “It’s the best definition of Showbread”. Not being able to fit their style of high energy, danceable rock music conveniently into any genre, Showbread began describing themselves as “Raw Rock” early in their career. When the first dissonant chord of the opening track “I’m Lost” rings out, it’s easy to assume Jensen is telling the truth, this is pure Raw Rock.
If Showbread had a “formula,” The Fear Of God might be described as a return to it, but after years of genre-bending rock and roll and outright refusal to adhere to any type of musical rule whatsoever, a Showbread formula is difficult to pin down. Reuniting for the third time with acclaimed producer Sylvia Massy Shivy (Prince, Tool, Johnny Cash) and engineer Rich Veltrop (Phantom Planet, Slayer), the creative energy on the record is at its best. With enough screaming punk-rock energy to satisfy fans of Showbread’s earlier chaotically tinged music and enough addictive synthesizer-laced rhythm and melody to reel in the casual listener, it just might be that all the Showbread components are working in perfect synergy.
What an unusual and refreshing thing it is in the barren landscape of today’s rock music to hear something that gives off no aura of conformity. Josh Dies plainly states, “Appealing to anything other than our vision has never been an issue for us as a band. This time more than ever, all our members are working in unison to make the best Showbread record ever.” The result? A blistering and visceral rock album. From the frenetically charged “Nothing Matters Anymore” to the album’s devastating title track, The Fear Of God is an energy and sound that only Showbread can convey. Raw Rock in its pure and only form, and sounding better than ever.
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
The Fear of God| Posted September 18, 2009
The Fear of God was an excellent Showbread album. Possibly my favorite. The lyrics were amazing (but that is normal) and I loved how Josh Dies and crew had added a bit of a punk feel to everything. My favorite song of the record was probably Let There Be Raw, a fist-raising anthem full of crunchy guitars and just pure awesomeness. I would HIGHLY recommend buying this album. Now. Go do it!
The Fear Of God| Posted September 09, 2009
Showbread works hard at their music... and it shows in The Fear Of God. Always promising to deliver something never before done, Showbread always hits the spot. Bringing back the raw sounds of No Sir..., Showbread also fuses the sounds of Age of Reptiles, bringing forth a very attractive album that you won't soon forget. This album is very enjoyable to listen to as they have worked out any kinks that might have been presented in the production process. At one point, Josh sounds out of tune and straining to hit the high note in Shepherd, No Sheep. But that song is an extremely sarcastic song going into detail about how people are judging him for the music he writes, and trying to tell him how to do it. A personal favorite on the album is "I Think I'm Going To See You", with catchy guitars and a pretty well written punk sounding chorus. As usual, Showbread includes very spiritually uplifting lyrics. For example:"Jesus Christ, the king of kings
though we ache though we cry, never break never die we sing of His great love again and again
and His love reigns forever, and forevermore
forever and ever amen." These are words on the song "The Fear Of God", an extremely honest song talking about why things are the way they are. Showbread will continue to be one of my favorite bands, and I can speak for thousands of fans when I say I can't wait to see what else they can do.
to add lyrics if not listed.
