Ten Shekel Shirt was one of many bands in the 1990s and 2000s Christian music scene that largely flew under the radar. You'd be forgiven for never having heard of them during their initial tenure. Named from a line in a famous sermon by Paris Reidhead, the band released their debut album independently, caught the attention of a label, released a sophomore album, and disappeared from the music scene for a number of years before releasing one more album in 2009. It was ironically their debut album that achieved the most of the commercial awareness they achieved. Take a look at their music and discover a "deeper cut" band in the classic Christian music scene.
Much
The independent debut I referenced above was released in 2001. The opening track "Meet With Me" was covered later in the same year by Petra on their third worship album, Revival. While Petra themselves weren't really the chart-topping powerhouse they'd been a decade earlier, it's more likely you've heard this song sung by John Schlitt than by its writer, band frontman Lamont Hiebert. The song is a slow-based anthemic worship song that will catch your ear.
The album's most commercially successful song was the radio single, "Ocean." The song is the perfect anthem for summer and I remember my mom playing the heck out of it growing up. The song's themes of praise in seeing God in the ocean and sunrise are worthy metaphors, and the overall catchy melody makes it a shame this album isn't more well known. The rest of the albums follows suit with more of the worship soft-rock anthems that populated Christian radio around this time. Sonically, the band reminds me of bands of the era like Jars of Clay, Smalltown Poets, According to John, and others.
Risk
Risk featured the band expanding their sound a bit. "This Story" stepped up the rock a notch and calls to mind something that Switchfoot might have done. The title track's driving chorus is another album highlight, with a peppy hook that is sure to let you know you're in for a good album.
Jubilee
The band has stated on the title, "The origin of the word Jubilee has nothing to do with a wedding anniversary or a schmaltzy Las Vegas show. It has everything to do with the emancipation of slaves and the celebration of freedom and justice." The band incorporated this ancient meaning into the hopeful title track. "It's Slavery" plays as a cautionary converse to this, a darker song tackling themes of trafficking as a modern day slavery. "Spark" and "Fragile" offer additional album highlights, ensuring this (as of now) last project from the band would go out on a high note.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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