Presents The Christmas Classics EP
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House Of Heroes In lieu of last year's turning point for the band, House of Heroes has been doing their darnedest to make sure you remember them, all through a series of three 3-song EPs. First it was acoustic, then it...
Family Force 5's Christmas Pageant
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FF5 (formerly Family Force 5) It seems that every year I hear yet another person expressing their hate for Christmas music. After all, it's the same classics spelled the same different ways, by the same voices. For these people, there's...
Hello Hurricane
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Switchfoot I'll admit it. After such a long drought of a solid album (their whole career), and the recent draught of even a decent album (Since 'Beautiful Letdown'), I kind of gave up on Switchfoot. Add to that the...
I'm Boycotting This Album | Posted July-24-2007
I first became a major Hawk Nelson fan back in 2005, when I heard "Letters To The President". However, I got the special edition. So far, this album has been out for a year and a half, and no special edition. And I might just be paranoid, in fact I know I am, but I suspect that if I buy this album, they'll come out with a special edition, and I'll have wasted ten bucks for bad timing. So until there's definitive proof there will be no special edition for this CD, I'm not buying it.
But that won't be the only reason, the album is a step down from the debut in my opinion. In the debut they tackled issues with a blazin' guitar anthem, i.e. "Letters To The President". This time, they tackle them with the interest of a gnat, or at least I had the interest of a gnat. "Zero" and "Everything You Ever Wanted" suit the Christian radio crowd just fine, but for Hawk fans it just doesn't work.
"Something On My Mind", "Hello", "The Show", are highlights of the album, and would have fit great with their debut. "One Thing I Have Left" tries to channel the debut, but in my opinion comes out to hard rock, which I don't care for when taken to the extreme, except in special instances. However, a totally interesting song, totally surprising, and strangely works for me, "Fourteen" is a haunting song. What it haunts about, I have no idea, but hey, the song works for me, in some strange way.
Don't tell the feds this, but I listened to the album illegally. But, that's the only way I'm listening to it. The band cut a title track to the album, which didn't make it, but it would be great for a special edition, but no, they won't set anything in stone yet. And it's not even a great album, just OK, with the highlights being the only songs worth listening to.
A Debut To Be Proud Of | Posted July-21-2007
Everyday Sunday comes onto the scene with a little heard bang, but a bang nonetheless. The first two tracks are great catchy rock songs that are sure to get stuck in your brain, unable to leave with it's good, clean rock. "Stand Up", although not a rock song, is a great highlight off the album.
Question: Why is their a remixed version of "Stand Up"? It sounds almost exactly the same, maybe just a little bit more polished. But overall the album is a great debut that has been overlooked by most of the industry, but for those who have heard it, it's a gem in their collection, and easily one of the best debuts EVER! And a whole step above Relient K's debut, which isn't saying much but hey, it's nice to know you're debut is better than the best band ever's debut. Get the album, and you'll love Everyday Sunday. You'll be an instant fan.
Full Throttle Sunday | Posted July-21-2007
It's been two little known, but excellent albums from Everyday Sunday, and it's time for the band to make itself known, with noise. And that's exactly what the band does. From start to end, the album doesn't stop, no slow songs. The only thing close to slow is "Find Me Tonight" and that's only slow in the verses, in the chorus forget it, it's back to full blast.
"Wake Up! Wake Up!" is a great rock song, and one of the band's best. As for the rest of the album, great rock. It's about time Everyday Sunday got some attention, and with this album, the band gets it, and with good reason. This is a great find, and for those who haven't heard the band, this is a great place to start, because you won't be bored.
The Most Original Christian Music Album EVER! | Posted July-19-2007
This has to be the most original album ever to come out of the circles of Christian music. Take two or three songs, and blend, that's the concept of this album. And surprisingly, it actually works to great effect in most cases.
The first song is the best, it is the only song that combines three songs, and it's mixed by the great Tedd T. The song is a great blend, and while SCC's verses are messed up, the problem is easily over looked when looked at a whole with the rest of the song. It's a great blend of rap, and rock. Tracks 2,5,8,9 are also great, expeccially 9.
Tracks 3,4,6,7 are tracks that might sound great to another person, but it didn't float my boat. They were OK, but in my mind nothing to write home about. Track 10 is the only track which I can't comment on because of my bias toward Carman, I personally hate the guy. The reasons are personal. So don't ask.
Overall, a great concept album, and major props to originality. But, the album was released four years ago, so my only question is, where's the sequel? The some of the songs on the album are classics, but most were hits at the time, and never made it to music memory. I fear a sequel will never be made. Although the public reaction was mostly positive, the critical was terrible, and when you have an album like this, you need the critics to promote sales, and they didn't have that. But, the fans of this album hopefully still have a voice, and a sequel will be made. But till then, we must watch the sky, and pray. You don't have to agree, but it's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.
Best Relient K EP By Far | Posted July-19-2007
Relient K knows, or knew, how to put out extra content, the EP. The early EPs had songs from the full length albums, as well as some goodies, sometimes good, sometimes not so much. But the trend turns with Apathetic EP, all original content, nothing old.
The album starts off with two new studio songs, both are great, but are in a in-between style, not Five Score, but not "Mmhmm" either.
The next three songs are marvelous acoustic tracks. All of them are great in their own right. I might prefer the studio version to "Over Thinking" musically, but for the overall emotion to the song, this version works best.
"In Like a Lion (Always Winter)" is one of the greatest Relient K songs of all time. Although it's not a rock song, it's their best, I guess what you call balled. If you haven't heard the song, please do, you will be blown away. Why this song wasn't on the Music Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia album, I don't know. I think it was a MAJOR mistake by the people that produced the album. Because this song is better than that whole album, combined.
The last song is by Matt T's side band, Matt Theissen and the Earthquakes. The song is only OK, not anything to write home about. I also had a hard time getting the whole vibe of the song.
And for those of you who got the acoustic version of "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" it's a good version, but I think they took it down too much, which is probably why it was eventually cut.
Overall, the best EP by far, great find for fans, and the album contains many great songs. Only time will tell if another EP of theirs is made, this site only mentions a Christmas album coming out, but I hope they do an EP for Five Score. The Relient K EP is always the best middle album in Christian music, and probably music period. You don't have to agree, but it's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.
Good Alternatives | Posted July-19-2007
"No Plan B", "Let It Roll", "Clay Ya Hands" are the highlights of the album, they are a nice alternative to the [bleep] that is being put out these days in the world of rap and hip-hop. The group needs to focus on this type of song, because that's their strong suit. The rest of the album is just OK.
Good Debut For My Hometown Band | Posted July-19-2007
Having lived in Winter Haven for two years, and thirty minutes away for most of my life, I feel the band is like my hometown band.
Anberlin is a breath of fresh air in the circle of Christian rock. The singer's voice is nothing short of unique. The music is original, yet appealing. Most surprisingly are songs like "Cadence" where the songs are actually catchy, and stay in your head after listening.
Overall, I proud to say they're my hometown band. They're a great group that isn't afraid of going against the grain musically or vocally. Good debut, and a good starting place for their budding career. Hopefully we'll here a lot more from these guys in the years to come. You don't have to agree, but it's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it.
The Older They Get, They've Gotten Better Yet | Posted July-18-2007
Disclaimer: I've not heard every song on the album.
That said, I don't think I could. It's not like they're a bad band, it's just when they get into the hard rock stuff, I don't care for it too much. Songs like "The Last Night" don't float my boat either.
However, "The Older I Get" makes up for most everything else, as it has to be one of the best songs of the year. If you've not heard the song, please do, you'll be doing yourself a favor. I actually first heard it on mainstream radio, but that doesn't make the song any worse, it's just a great song. It's very catchy, and very emotional. Although I personally don't relate to the song's message, I think a lot of others would.
Overall, most of the album is suited for the hard rock crowd. Other songs I just don't get. But the one redeeming song saves the day. If you don't get the album, get "The Older I Get" I promise you, you won't be disappointed. Oh, get the mainstream version, because it has better production value than the album version.
The Group That Never Caught On | Posted July-18-2007
What happened? When I heard "Love Is Here" back in 2004 I had to get it. But, I could not find it anywhere. However, I eventually found the song some weeks later. But, my question still remained, what happened? The song never caught on, and is known to less than 1% of Christian music fans. Yet, everyone I've talked to that's heard the song, loves it.
Note, I've only heard this song from BDA, but it's a great song. I wish it could have caught on, and BDA still be around today.
Note: Another technical error logged me out, so I had to post the review again, but under my username.
Hit and Miss | Posted July-17-2007
Sufjan Stevens is influential. This album follows in his suit, and even takes one of his songs. But hey, nothing wrong with taking a cue from the indie master. However, Crowder changes it to reflect just praise and worship, instead of just random thoughts about a state. The result is a hit or miss.
The song that majorly hits is "We Win!". After all, how can you not like a well-crafted victory song? The song is rockin', and the people are talkin'.
What makes this a concept album is that it's divided into themes. The first theme is the safe, radio friendly theme. If you've listened to radio for the past couple of years, you've heard this whole section. Which isn't bad, but it feels familiar.
But, the weirdest collection of tracks in years is in segment three. This is supposed to be the future worship category. Now, with the theme of future in a music album you know it's going to be different. "Do Not Move" is officially the weirdest song ever. You have to hear to to believe it. What's even weirder is it starts growing on you after a few listens.
Overall, an interesting album. David Crowder dares to be different, taking a cue from the guy that has mainstreamed this type of album. But, like all concept albums, it does have it's hit and misses. Which is expected. Just know what you're buying, before you buy.
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