The Best? It's Close! | Posted January-29-2008
Jesus Freak really needs no explanation. If you do not own this album, there is something wrong with you. This album marked the end of rap for the trio and set off what would become one of the best selling albums in the Christian Music industry. Their travels into the Pop/Rock world paid off, and who gave these guys voices? And why we're they rapping in the first place? These are all questions I plan to ask the All Mighty when it's my turn, but until then, it's Jesus Freak in my CD player after all this time.
Forgettable | Posted January-29-2008
Delirious? hads been around for awhile, but Americans were still discovering this band when King Of Fools releases. Their first album that we were introduced to was Cutting Edge, which contained live recordings of their praise and worship gigs. Then came their full-length studio album, King Of Fools which launched this band on the map. Their catchy tune "Deeper" became an instant hit, and their follow-up single, "Revival Town" was also an instant classic. Unfortunately, and I'm probably alone on this one, the album did not have much more to offer. I found the music to be very simplistic, and nothing really came out and grabbed me.
A Great Live Album | Posted January-29-2008
dcTalk's Welcome To The Freakshow brings their live concert to album format. Recorded from the official Freakshow tour, this album offers 17 tracks from the albums Jesus Freak, Free At Last, and even Nu Thang. As you should know, Jesus Freak marked the bands transition from Rap to Pop Rock. The highlights of the album includes the opening track, a remake of the popular Beatles hit Help, which starts off one of the best live albums ever. This album gave the band a Dove Award for Album Of The Year, just one year after they won AOY for their Jesus Freak album.
A Truely Steller Release | Posted January-29-2008
As soon as we thought dc Talk had nothing left up their sleeves, they pull out some more tricks and shove them all into their fifth release Supernatural. Posed as Christian's most recognizable band, dcTalk continued to build their sound from their previous mega-hit record Jesus Freak. Supernatural is one of the best albums in a long time, with genuine hits such as "My Friend (So Long)" and the moving balled "Red Letters." True dcTalk fans will be left drooling.
The Best By The Best - Can't Go Wrong! | Posted January-29-2008
This was the first-ever greatest hits package from dc Talk, the 1980's forerunners and pioneers of much of the contemporary Christian rock and rap movement. Intermission: the Greatest Hits marks a hiatus by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait and Kevin Max that continues today as they each pursuing solo careers. They left fans with this 10-song collection to console themselves during the break (when will it ever end?). Leave it up to dc Talk to take one of their past #1 hits, and transform it into a new #1 hit. "Say the Words" was on their 1992 breakthrough album Free At Last. Remixed by Matt Bronleewe, it charted once again at #1, and what a song it is. Intermission also brings two new dc Talk songs. "Chance" is a slower song that can be looked over, but "SugarCoat It" is dc Talk extreme, with the energy driven beats and Toby's "screaming" rap. This album is wonderful. The best from the best creates a great record. dc Talk has always and will continue to be one of the leading groups in Christian music.
An Ok Album | Posted January-29-2008
The title of this album is a melding of two songs: "The Mezzanine Floor"- that "in-between" place and "Metamorphosis"- meaning change. With more creative tension than anything before it - Mezzamorphis, is an album about the passion, failure, successes of life. A theme of heaven runs throughout the album illustrating we are not home here, we long to be complete - in heaven. Trailing on the huge success of King Of Fools, this album continues with the rock side of the band. Although a lot of the songs are not radio friendly, it is a well produced album.
7 Years Later, And Still Solo. Bummer. | Posted January-29-2008
How interesting is this? One of the hottest bands in Christian music, taking a break as a group and splitting up into three temporary solo acts? Wow! How can you not pick up this album, even if it's simply for curiosity? Michael Tait (branching into a band called Tait), Toby McKeehan (known as tobyMac) and Kevin Max (used to be Kmax, now going back to Kevin Max, soon to be some crazy weird symbol probably) are all releasing their solo efforts in 2001. Solo is a glimpse into this future with 2 new tracks from each artist plus one previously unreleased song ("Forty") from dc talk. The results are simply amazing. While listening to each artist, you really get a sense of how all three make up dc talk. Toby brings the rap/hip-hop elements, Tait brings the harmonies and Kevin brings the artistry. Combined, we all know what they produce, but separately, it's almost surreal as you listen to each part of the puzzle that makes up dc talk as a whole. Tait is pure rock and the two songs provided have already sold me on his upcoming album. Toby is rap/hip-hop and the 2 songs have excited me as well. Only Kevin's music sparks my interest to hear more, without deciding one way or another. All in all, this short glimpse into the future is definitely worth the small change.
Still Enjoy This Album Today | Posted January-29-2008
Daily Planet was definitly a band to watch in 2002. Their debut album on Reunion Records, Hero, was a captivating collection of songs packed with hard truths about life, the stuggles of faith in people around us and in God and the constant reality of one that loves us unconditionally. Jesse Butterworth, both the lead singer and priciple songwriter, lended his unique vocals, rough at times but original enough to stand out above other groups, to lyrics that convict, challenge and encourage. Highlights on the album include their first #1 single "Flying Blind" which speaks about letting go and allowing God to lead the way. "Questioning The Notion" is definitly the most beautifully written songs on the album. Jesse sings about doubting God, a subject rarely talked about in Christian music but something that almost everyone can identify with. There are always times in our lives when tragedy & confusion hits and we begin to wonder if He is really there. Jesse sings "Questioning the notion, that God is full of love / Is a tempting road to take when you forget about his blood / But I'll choose to still believe Him, His heart is kind and just / I'm only seeing half the picture, for the other half I'll trust." It's just one of many times that the lyrics of Daily Planet reach out and truly connect with you. "Six String Rocketeer" is yet another example of the intracrit story telling that they had already perfected as Jesse discusses his journey of escape as a teenager dealing with his parents' divorce. Hero is an album that will simply capture you. You'll enjoy it because of the music, you'll love it because of the edgy vocals but most of all your respect it because of the truth in the lyrics. It's too bad the band broke up after this debut release, but I still enjoy listening to it today.
One Of The Best Christian Albums Ever - Really! | Posted January-29-2008
By far, one of the top 5 Christian Albums of all time. If you enjoyed thier first album, this is an entirely different group. Their styles are pretty much night and day when the albums are compared. But this album stands on it's own. It's so awesome that I'm really just wasting my time reviewing it, but I will anyway. Their new sound was tight straight up pop/rock. Their lyrics were truthful, honest, fun, and to the point. There were two songs that always helped me when I was feeling down. Although the band is no longer together, and although this is an 11 year old album (man I'm getting old), it remains one of my favorites of all time. Just listen to it yourself, if you can even find it.
A Classic | Posted January-29-2008
This album was one of my favorites. Now, it usually stays in my CD Closet and comes out every once in a while. COR's debut project introduces us to a band that was lyrically and vocally tight. It is clear from the first cut, "Take Back The Beat," to the closing hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul," that this band was committed to bringing the Gospel to the day's youth. The project is infused with exhortations and encouragement to live life for and with God. I really enjoy the diversity of this album. Although it is a little odd to listen to, because musically it jumps from one style to another, it shows the talent that this young band had.
KevinMcNeese_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
