God With Us
by
Laura Laura Story has become a champion in the female vocalist community within the last several years. From her powerful songwriting for other artists (such as on
Where I Find You Review | Posted January-24-2012
Let’s go back in time for a moment to the year 2006. A thriving church in the Dallas, Texas area by the name of Gateway has just released their first live worship project, Living For You. While the album as a whole went on to become a success, it was a track by the name of "Revelation Song" that drew people’s attention to this up-and-coming worship team. The song absolutely floored the church with it's undeniable power, and quickly earned Gateway Worship respect in the worship music genre.
Now, while Kari Jobe can't take credit for writing the song, it was her passionate soprano vocals and praise-filled performance that made all the difference in it's rise to popularity, and ever since then, it's been a rollercoaster of success for the longtime worship leader. Having released her self-titled debut in early 2009 to critical acclaim, Kari has gone on to lead worship all over the globe, as well as win a Dove Award for her Spanish language project Le Canto, back in 2010, all while staying true to her roots as a worship leader back home at Gateway.
As if all this weren’t enough reason to celebrate, Kari’s fans were delighted to hear back in early 2011, that she had signed with Sparrow Records and was hard at work with producers Ed Cash and Matt Bronleewe on a follow-up project, a project which we now know as 2012’s Where I Find You.
“After singing about the importance of making time for intimate worship on my first album, I wanted to take the next step on Where I Find You,” Kari says of the album. “This past year has been the season of being completely uncomfortable and going through things I didn’t understand … I think there are times as believers that we feel entitled that life shouldn’t be hard… but if we can learn to fall more in love with the Lord and trust Him in the middle of every storm, we build our endurance to keep running the race.”
Unapologetically honest yet passionately worshipful, Kari’s latest comes as a departure from her previous work, but don’t let that fool you. Sometimes, change can be a good thing.
“Steady My Heart,” which speaks of finding God’s peace in the middle of life’s messes, starts this album off on a superb note, and transitions nicely into the first single, “We Are.” Coming as both an encouragement and a challenge to the church, the song reminds us that we are more than our past mistakes, and in Christ, we have the ability to shine and let others know the same. “One Desire” becomes as a passionate moment of praise, and is sure to leave the listen engrossed in worship: “With my heart bowed low and my hands held high, all consuming fire, You’re my one desire…”
“Find You On My Knees” serves as the rawest song on the project. Coming from a place of penetrating pain and confusion, it’s stands as a declaration that it’s when we’re at our lowest, we allow God to move the mightiest. “Savior’s Here” could almost be taken as a sequel to the previous track, speaking of the redemption only Christ can bring from the depths of a broken heart.
“Stars In The Sky,” co-written by Dove Award winning male vocalist, Chris August, is a breathy and moving moment of surrender to the Creator. It would make a great radio single in the future. “What This Love Is,” brings to mind Kari’s previous hit, “You Are For Me,” with it’s haunting piano driven melody and heartfelt worship lyrics.
“Run To You” talks about drawing nearing to God, while the melodically uplifting “Rise” reminds us of the greatness of our God. “Love Came Down,” made popular by Bethel Worship, is meant to remind us of how God’s love came and rescued us, that we might be saved from any grueling situations we face today.
“We Exalt Your Name,” a duet with praise and worship lead Matt Maher, comes as yet another prayer, asking God to come in meet us as we worship Him with open ears and a steadfast heart. The project finally comes to a close with a song called “Here,” which is undoubtedly the highlight on this record. In a world that is constantly moving, it speaks about staying still and finding rest in the Lord. It’s soothing and lullaby-esque music matches the tone of the song perfectly and will leave the listener fully wrapped up in the presence of God: “He is here, you’ll find His healing, your heart isn’t shattered anymore, He is here.”
Closing Thoughts:
Where I Find You has been well worth the wait for Kari Jobe fans. Intensely passionate and honest, this has taken Kari’s artistry and elevated it to a whole new level. This is a deeper project than her 2009 debut, many of the songs coming from an openly broken place, but it’s the promise of hope in the midst of that brokenness, that turns each song into a beautiful anthem of unwavering praise. Musically, while her debut hung heavily on a quirky organic sound, this effort sounds much more studio polished and matured. Some people might miss that eccentric earthiness, but regardless, it’s hard not to enjoy the smooth and stirring melodies found on this project, especially when they each hold such a profound meaning.
Where I Find You is hands down Kari’s best work to date in her extensive yet concise carrier, and will easily go down as one of the top worship albums of the year. It will be a thrill for fans to watch as she continues to grow in her musicianship from this point forward, and if this album is any indication of her future, great things lie ahead.
An Acoustic Project | Posted January-06-2012
Christian music has seen it’s fair share of pop acts come and go in the last several years. It often seems that most of them gain some momentum, have a huge hit, then fall of the face of the planet. In other cases however, it’s more than a band’s successes that drive them to continue on their artistic journey, but rather, their dedication to stay in the race. Such is the case, with up-and-coming boy band, Anthem Lights.
The group, made up of four Liberty University alumni, made their entrance onto the music scene in early 2011 with their self-titled debut project, and ever since then, they’ve ridden a wave of continued success. Having already toured alongside CCM veterans such Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Jars Of Clay and MercyMe, they are ardently avoiding the “one hit wonder” path many in their genera have followed. This due, not only to they’re undying passion for the music they make, but also, to the constant support of their army-like fan base, also known as the “Lightbulbs.”
As a matter of fact, it was the fans they had in mind as they went forward with making what we now know as The Acoustic Sessions EP. Having garnered a large following via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, a string of acoustic videos the band recorded in their free time led to the petition of a stripped down vocal project. And as the saying goes? Supply and demand.
“Can’t Shut Up” starts this EP off with a bang. The song has gone on to become the bands first successful single, and will be familiar to the listener right away. The groups broken down arrangement of “Circles” comes next, and might be, dare I say, better than original studio version. The earthy acoustics give it a subtle folk feel which suits their vocal styling’s nicely. It’s a nice change up, and I’d love to see them pursue more arraignments like this one on their next album.
The acoustic rendition of “Can’t Get Over You” was initially posted as one of the aforementioned video’s to the group’s YouTube page earlier this year, it’s popularity landing the audio portion onto this EP. While the mix is extremely simple, it’s the vocals that steal the show. With the production stripped away, you’re able to hear all four guys seamless harmonies, and also, their worshipful ministry heartbeat. This was one of my favorite songs from the band’s debut album, and to hear it in a new light has given me a newfound respect for the lyrics and message behind it.
A fantastic cover of “In The Light,” featuring guest vocals by up-and-coming Gotee Records artist, Jamie Grace, comes as a welcomed treat. Although not written by the group, ever since appearing on dc Talk’s “Jesus Freak” record, it has gone on to spawn multiple covers, some being more memorable than the others. Of those many covers however, this version ranks among the elite. It brings to mind dc Talk’s own acoustic version from their live album years ago, and with the soulful addition of Jamie Grace’s Colbie Caillat-like vocals, you’d almost think the band wrote the song themselves. They completely own it and have done a classic justice.
Bringing this all too brief EP to a close is another cover, a splendid rendition of Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are.” This was yet another song the group originally posted to YouTube several months back, but it’s overnight success among both Christian and secular music fans landed it a well-deserved spot on this album. Blue-penciling the more risqué lyrics, the band does an awesome job of taking a song otherwise deemed unfitting, and makes it all their own. It’s a fun way to end a great project.
Closing Thoughts:
I fully believe projects of this sort are underrated. Not only in Christian music, but music in general. As much as I enjoy the sound of a polished studio record, sometimes, it’s good to just get back to the basics. To allow the listener to hear the core of song, and with Anthem Lights’ The Acoustic Sessions EP, they’ve done just that. Granted, it lacks any new material, and that might come as a turn-off to some buyers who already own the original songs, but if your looking to hear more of the heart behind this band, or possibly see what they’re all about, this would be the perfect place to start. This is a well executed side project, and I very much hope to see some of it’s elements implemented into Anthem Lights’ new music in the near future.
Perfection In Motion | Posted November-30-2011
It was a longstanding joke in the music industry that Christian music was always, stylistically, two years behind everything happening in the secular market. A joke that was often all too true. However, an evident shift has occurred in the last several years, where not only has Christian music finally started to rival that of it’s modern mainstream counterparts, but those mainstream counterparts are actually finding themselves looking into the gospel genera for inspiration of their own. We have a plethora of game-changers in this industry to thank for this, and it would be nearly absurd to not list Me In Motion as one of them.
Known for their polished British Rock sound and in-your-face honest lyrics about their faith, Me In Motion has been circulating buzz in the CCM world for quite some time. A large amount of this due to the writing and producing credits of lead vocalist Seth Mosley for a number of artists--Newsboys, Peter Furler, Anthem Lights and Manifest just to name a few. All accolades aside, Seth, alongside band mates Brian Dexter (drums) and Tim Wilson (bass), have made a name for themselves all their own with hits such as “Losers” and “The God I Know.”
“I’m trying to write songs that will inspire people to ‘live’ in a way they never have before,” says Seth, “to realize that loving everyone, regardless of circumstance, is what it’s really all about.”
Having gone some time without any new material from the talented threesome, you can imagine the delight of fans as the group finally welcomed their latest, the Yes We Can EP, in late 2011. Ushering in a plethora of new sounds alongside their ever present message of living out our faith in a chaotic world.
The title track of this mini-project, “Yes We Can,” comes as both an encouragement and poignant challenge to believers. Reminding them of the certainly found in Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,”) then commissioning them to go forth and live like it’s true.
“Back 2 Life” is a catchy song to say the least. An honest cry to God asking Him to revive our faith from the dead, showcases Me In Motion’s new found interest in the pop/electronica circuit and does so in a brilliant fashion. I could easily hear this played on secular radio.
The soft and moving “Let Mercy Hold You” encourages the listener as they walk through some of life darkest valley’s. It is lyrically the strongest song on the EP and will become an anthem for those struggling, offering them a very real message of hope: “Let the valley teach you how to sing and still believe that grace is everything you need, it’s only there you’ll see…”
This EP comes to a close with “Eye Of The Hurricane,” yet another successful single by the group released to radio earlier this year. Walking along the lines of the previous song, it talks about going through some of life’s biggest storms, but reminds us that even in the eye of the hurricane, we are safe in the arms of Jesus.
Closing Thoughts:
The Yes We Can EP, short but sweet, showcases four songs from what I truly believe is one of the biggest bands in the future of our industry. While they’ve shied away from their typical Brit Rock melodies fans have come to love in this project, they’ve marked new territory for themselves by forging deep into the waters of ultra-modern pop. They are capable of doing both well, but something about these new, fresh sounds makes you want to keep coming back to listen to them again and again. These positive God-honoring lyrics meshed with music that would make any secular artist drool, makes this a highly enjoyable project and one that I’d even go as far as to say is a “must-own” for all hardcore fans of the genre.
Our Hearts Hero made their debut in 2007 as the latest addition to the Gotee Records roster. Following their highly acclaimed self-titled debut project, the band went on to tour extensively over the next several years, playing more than 150 shows in less than 12 months (for those of you keeping track at home, that‘s almost half a year out on the road.)
After what seemed like an endless musical absence aside from their hectic touring schedule, the group, made up of members Nick (lead vocals), Benji (guitar), Jeremy (drums), Jacob (bass) and Cody (guitar), finally made their return to the music scene in late 2011 with the release of their much anticipated Christmas record, Love Is Breathing.
The joyful holiday parade of tunes starts of with “Glow,” the band’s rock-driven take on the Christmas classic “Angels We Have Heard On High.” A trait you will immediately see running though this record are the quirky song-titles, often cut down to a single word from the song being sung. It can become confusing when trying to figure out what’s coming next, but at the same time, offers you a great deal of surprise.
“Bells,” a.k.a. the holiday classic “Carol Of The Bells,” takes on new life in the hands of Our Hearts Hero. This personally being one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs, I hold every version of it to an extremely high standard, and not only has this band met that standard, they’ve possibly surpassed it. Gritty guitars matched with chilling vocal harmonies make for what is hands-down the best song on the album, giving the listener something to look forward to as they go on.
The bouncy and punk inspired “Magi” takes the tale of “We Three Kings” and spins it into their own wacky tale of worship and unwavering hope, while “Town,” their version of, you guessed it, “O Little Town Of Bethlehem,” becomes a rocker’s dream. Crashing drums, distorted guitars, all the bells and whistles that would make any rock ensemble proud. Yet somehow, the soft and delicate message of the song never gets lost in the madness surrounding it, and makes it an unexpectedly enjoyable experience.
The album’s title track, “Love Is Breathing,” is primarily driven by a dark piano melody. It’s a touching tale written from the viewpoint of those who were able to see Jesus the night He was born, being amongst the first to witness love come to life. It’s reminder as to why we celebrate Christmas and highlights this band’s ability to make music that packs a punch not only musically, but lyrically as well.
“Joy” (“Joy To The World”), is a booming and melodic rock masterpiece, while “Away,” becomes a delightfully acoustic folk infused moment of solid praise and worship to the newborn Savior. “Lord,” their version of “O Come All Ye Faithful,” is sure to get you jumping, and becomes the most unique of all the restructured arraignments on this record.
“Hark” might be the only song on the entire album that, melodically, sounds like it could be found on a Christmas project, and brings to mind a David Crowder Band feel with its upbeat and underlying electronica vibe. This style seems to suit vocalist Nick Joyce’s vocals well and it would be interesting to hear them tinker with that style more in the future.
The album finally comes to a close with the stirring delivery of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” aptly titled “Come.” It becomes an open and beautiful moment of worship and elevates a timeless holiday classic to new heights. It’s a fantastic way to end this project, and does so on a high note.
Closing Thoughts:
I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when coming into this album. As someone who wasn’t too familiar with Our Hearts Hero’s previous work, I wasn’t convinced an album made up of primarily punk/rock renditions of Christmas classics would work. In this case however, I was more than happy to be wrong.
Love Is Breathing is a Christmas album that fans of the holiday genre, both Christian and secular alike, would be proud to add to their collection. Sometimes edgy, sometime whimsical, this album brings the perfect combination of both rock and worship, and never loses its Christmas minded core in the process. It is by NO means conventional, and will most likely be appalling to Christmas music purists, but for those looking for a good alternative, better yet, a God-centered alternative to what’s being offered musically this time of year, you’ve found your match.
What do you get when take a band known for creating inventive punk rock and present them with the opportunity to make a Christmas record? Sure, utter chaos might be you first thought, but if it’s one thing Jason, Jonathan, Justin and Daniel of Hawk Nelson have shown their fans in the last several years, it’s that their not afraid to take on a challenge--including one that involves a little Christmas Wassail.
Following up their largely successful Crazy Love, released earlier this year, Hawk Nelson’s Christmas EP, produced by none other than the band’s guitarist, Jonathan Steingard, takes seven of the most beloved Christmas songs ever written and infuses them with a dose Hawk Nelson flair.
“This EP is long overdue from us,” says bassist Daniel Biro, “Our fans have been asking, and we have finally delivered.” Those fans will most certainly not be disappointed.
Talk about starting off an album with a bang, a rocky rendition of “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” explodes unto the scene, slowly fading into a soft acoustic moment of worship with the inclusion of “O Come All Ye Faithful,” an unexpected, but lovely twist nonetheless.
The classic “The Wassail Song” makes a spirited appearance as it is followed up by a downright quirky and hoedown flavored “Up On The Housetop.” It will definitely go down as one of the more memorable tracks on the record, and one longtime Hawk fans will love it almost instantly.
“The Holly And The Ivy,” another longtime holiday favorite, slows the pace way down to that of a classic ‘by-the-fireside’ Christmas album, while a hilariously a cappella version of “Joy To The World” completely steals the show (word to the listener, pay close attention to the background vocals and be prepared to laugh…)
A short but sweet “I Saw Three Ships,” a longtime seasonal hymn, appears but for a brief and bubbly second before this EP finally comes to a close with the serene “Silent Night.“ Serious and moving, it cuts past all the prior silliness of this record and moves deep into the heart of the holiday, bring back into focus why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Laced with beautiful string arrangements, it takes a frolicking and fun album and finishes it on a high note.
Closing Thoughts:
It’s interesting how short side projects, such as EP’s, Christmas albums, etc, can highlight how much more an artist is capable of creating, such is the case with this project. The Christmas EP showcases how Hawk Nelson, while crazy talented and almost guaranteed to make a fantastic pop/rock record, are able to stretch themselves into making something different, yet at the same time, still completely them. Musically, this might go down as the “Hawk Nelson-iest” Hawk Nelson project to date, and I hope they continue to go down this lighthearted yet passion driven path in the future.
The only thing I would have liked to have seen the band attempt is an original song, seeing as they are fully capable of making something out of nothing, but in the end, I’d rather hear seven brilliant covers than something they had to strain for any day. Hawk Nelson’s Christmas EP is a genius creation and one that is surely going to wow their fans. It was well worth the wait, and I hope the band follows up on this with a full length Christmas album in the near future.
It Has Its Ups and Downs | Posted November-21-2011
“Abide in Me… for apart from Me, you can do nothing.” - John 15:5.
This is the key scripture upon which one of CCM’s latest up-and-comers, Branch, is founded. The group, made up of husband/wife team Steven and Rachael Patterson, as well as Josh Jones (drums) and Levi Bradford (guitar), formed as they attended college in Abilene, Texas, leading worship for small Bible study gatherings. It wasn’t long however, before the vision of the band expanded, and they found themselves traveling around the world, sharing their message of hope and faith in Jesus through worship and song.
Having already produced a handful of projects over the years, the group’s latest effort, Up Down and Inbetween, comes as a fresh drink of water—not only because it’s their first project in several years, but also, because it bears a message unlike anything they’ve had before.
“This record speaks of joyful truths,” says the group about the project, “anthems that desperately cry out for help, and songs that remind me of my smallness and God’s greatness.”
Truthful anthems and desperate praise—those statements describe this record in a nutshell.
The plain yet dramatic “Come Alive” starts the album on an airy and honest note. It comes as a stirring challenge to a hardened church to awaken as the bride of Christ, and will leave the listener fully engulfed in worship. The lively “Louder” sings of God’s praise literally surrounding us, both in nature and in our own lives.
Lone female member Rachel Patterson takes the reigns of lead vocals next on a cover of Fee‘s “Glory To God Forever,“ taking a song which has become an instant classic in the Church and transforming it into something spectacular and completely their own.
“Victory,” while a moving worship song, is also a beautiful reminder to the believer that all guilt and shame was removed the day Jesus died for us, taking us out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. Acoustic and folk driven “Sing Along” comes as a song of promise for all those who place their trust in God. This style of music suits lead vocalist Steven Patterson’s voice well, and it’s a style I hope to see them pursue more in future music.
“Eternity,” co-penned by singer/songwriter Josh Wilson (as are a majority of songs on this album), serves as a simple thought: We try to gain so much on Earth, knowing we can’t take it with us, while all along, the treasures we sore up in Heaven are worth far more, a complex and gripping thought to say the least.
The namesake of the project, “Up Down And Inbetween,” takes from Ecclesiastes 3, talking about how in every season of our lives, both up, down, and in between, there is always a reason to praise God. The melodic and moving “Here” comes as an honest cry to God, telling Him of our loneliness and despair, asking Him if He is even there for us as we walk through the valleys of life. As raw of a song as it is, it leaves the listener with hope in the promise that God will never leave us nor forsake us, those tough times giving us the opportunity to stretch our trust in Him.
“The Lord’s Prayer” comes as just that. With the lyrics are taken straight from scripture, this is undeniably the highlight of this record. Piano driven on the front end and built up with perfectly seasoned strings and drums, this is a song that will leave you speechless. “O Sink My Heart” and “More” are both very simplistic, coming as straightforward songs of surrender unto God, and once more, show you the heart behind this band.
The album comes to a close with the powerful tune, “Returning,” which speaks of the return of a prodigal son or daughter, and how the tender heart of their forgiving Father leads them to stay surrendered at His feet forevermore. It’s an outstanding song, and a wonderful way to end a wholly abandoned album of praise and worship to our almighty Creator.
Closing Thoughts:
For a number of years in Christian music, it almost looked as if worship artists were becoming an “endangered species,” with our being left primarily with large congregational albums. As amazing as many of those large congregational albums are however, in the last several years, not only has worship music made a comeback, but beyond that, we’ve seen a number of bands and artists rise up and create powerful and innovative songs of praise that shake heavens and move the hearts of believers globally. Among many of these bands and artists still emerging, Branch is one of them, and one that is undoubtedly going to make a large splash in the genre.
Up Down And In Between is a well-crafted and beautifully themed record with a powerful and evident heart behind it. Honestly, there aren’t too many bells and whistles to be found; it’s very simple and straightforward. That might come as a turn-off to some faced-paced, high-energy worship fans, but for those of you who are looking for project filled with sweet moments of intimate worship, this is the album for you. Branch is a band I would most definitely keep my eye on in 2012. Big things lie ahead for them, and if this is just the beginning, I expect what comes next to be nothing short of brilliant.
Kutless - This Is Christmas EP | Posted November-08-2011
Kutless splashed into the Christian music scene back in 2001, and since then, it's been a non-stop roller coaster of success for this talented ensemble of Oregon based rockers. Having already accomplished everything from multiple live projects to two highly acclaimed worship records, not to mention the string of #1 hits to their name, Kutless has proven to be one of those bands that can take on a challenge and master it brilliantly.
So it should come as no surprise that when the band announced they were working on a Christmas project early in 2011, that their fans would expect anything shy of that brilliance.
“The Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year,” says front man Jon Micah Sumrall. “It is a special time for us to enjoy family, festivities, and gift giving but most importantly to remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My hope is that this album will be an encouraging and festive reminder of why we celebrate Christmas.”
Having already added their musical gifting to various other Christmas projects in the past, the group's This Is Christmas EP, has been long awaited by fans, and boasts four of the most beloved Christmas songs ever, as well as two brand new songs.
The timeless holiday hit “O Holy Night” starts this album off on a sweeping and peaceful note. This definitely goes down as one of the more unique arrangements off this song with the inclusion and removal of certain lyrics at various points in the song, but still a good version overall. The project's namesake, co-written with songwriter Dave Lubben, serves as an anthem for the holiday. In a world where the meaning of Christmas can easily get lost in the glitz, “This Is Christmas” becomes a great reminder of the true why we celebrate the season.
“Breath Of Heaven”, the treasured Amy Grant hit, is an unusual addition to this EP. Sung from the perspective of Mary right before she gives birth to Jesus, it’s strange to hear it preformed by an all male group, but somehow, it works, and becomes a beautiful melody in the hands of Kutless.
The acoustic and breathy “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” stands out from the rest, bringing to mind some of the band’s earliest work. The true highlight on this album however, comes from a raw and chilling rendition of the Mark Lowery classic, “Mary Did You Know.” Jon Micah's vocals sit perfectly on top of this track and capture this bands ability to rock you one second, and turn around and haunt you the next.
All too short, this project finally comes to a close with “Beautiful,” a magnificent song relating the beauty of the season to the beauty of Christ and His love for us.
Closing Thoughts:
When an EP of any sort leaves you wanting more, it’s a good sign, and in this case, Kutless’ much anticipated This Is Christmas EP does just that. Filled with warm holiday sentiments, the heart behind every song is never lost. It may not have all the bells and whistles of other albums in the same genera, but what is lacks in style it makes up for in substance. This project is the perfect backdrop for any Christmas celebration among family and friends, and is hopefully a foretaste of a full-length Kutless Christmas album somewhere down the road. Regardless if that ever happens though, this is a must-have album for longtime followers of the group, and something Christian music fans in general would be doing themselves a great favor by picking up.
The Break-Up | Posted October-21-2011
Benjah may not be a household name in the Christian music world, but chances are, you've heard his work before and just haven't realized it. Having been one of the original members of well known CCM band Group 1 Crew and written several tracks on their first album, Benjamin “Benjah” Thom is most notably known for his work on Lecrae’s Grammy award nominated project, Rehab.
In his latest solo project, Benjah isn’t exactly collaborating, but rather, going through a public break-up--piritually speaking.
To be a follower of Christ, there needs to be a divorce of self. This is the idea The Break Up introduces, and over the course of 13 songs, Benjah takes the listener on a reggae/rap infused journey of what it means to follow Christ and to die yourself in the process.
“Intro” serves as a platform for the break-up theme of the record, and transitions directly into “Sinking Ship,” a song in which the idea of a break up occurs. “Not Alone,” featuring guest vocals from acclaimed female vocalist Rachael Lampa, is a heartfelt anthem about the sting of a broken heart, ultimately reminding the listener that no matter what pain they have felt before, true love is waiting to heal them if they'd only open themselves to it.
“Jezebel,” while on point melodically, lyrically, is a head scratcher. The song talks about a man falling in love with a woman named 'Jezebel', whom we are to believe is his God-sent wife, only to then to surprise us with the fact that 'Jezebel' has become an idol, and their whole affair is based on vanity. While the moral of the song is obvious, if taken the wrong way, it can send an 'anti-relationship' message, and unfortunately, only ends up confusing the listener in the end.
“Keep Ridin’” talks about walking your talk despite those who try keep you down, while the loud and infectious “3rd World Fam” goes out as a raw challenge for all believers to remember those serving Christ globally who face numerous challenges on a daily basis: “If you call yourself a Christian, you got family world wide, so another mission to hold them when they cry.”
The breezy and bumpin' “Walkin' Out” reminds us of the short time we have on earth and our duty to shine the light of Jesus. “On Grace I Stand,” melodic and piano driven, the chorus comes as an honest prayer to God. While full of brokenness and pain, it becomes a solid remembrance that no matter how often we fall, God is ready to pick us up.
“My Angel,” featuring previous band mates Group 1 Crew, serves as another head scratcher. Coming as someone’s personal cry for help to stay true to their faith, once again, your left unsure if the song is addressed to God or a person, but still, sends a great message that we were never meant to walk this walk alone. “Read Me” reminisces bad choices and painful mistakes, but encourages the listener that with Christ, all things are made new.
“C.N.L.Y.G” a.k.a. Cannot Let You Go, talks facing battles with Christ by our side, while “Orphan” comes as the most painful and honest cut on the record. It’s sung from the perspective of a child who’s parents have been murdered, leaving him orphaned, but ends with the child turning to Jesus for comfort, and asking Him to help forgive the killer. It’s an incredibly moving song to say the very least.
The smooth title track, “The Break Up,” comes as conversation to one’s self, again related to a woman who is being broken up with of because she doesn’t fulfill him the way another can. It’s an unusual depiction of what happens when we give our lives to Christ, but an accurate one. While “The Break Up” serves as the last song on the record, skip ahead a few minutes and you’ll find a hidden track tacked onto the end. Serving as a high energy epilogue, it finds the main character in this break-up story wondering why it took him so long to make the decision to move on. As fun as hidden tracks can be, this would have been a great stand alone song, and one that’ll most likely be overlooked by those who are unwilling to listen to four minutes of silence before it starts.
Closing Thoughts:
While this album produces a lot of lyrical depth, somewhere in there, it loses a lot of spiritual clarity. For an artist of any genre, that can be the trickiest thing to achieve. At times, you can't help but wonder if the song speaks of divorce of self, or if you’re hearing about the end of an actual relationship. All confusions aside though, The Break Up, for what it is, is an outstanding piece of musicianship from an artist who is undoubtedly going to become one of the front runners in the urban Gospel community. Rastafarian inspired music in CCM hasn't gained the popularity as other genres, but I highly commend Benjah for not only doing it, but doing it well.
This is a perfect album for those who are into a different kind of gospel music, and especially for those looking to reach out to unsaved friends. It’s not for the faint of heart. It asks tough questions and offers harsh answers, but in the end, ultimately leaves you with the stark reminder that life is about much more than “us,” and in my opinion, that’s a reminder we need to all hear far more often.
In early May 2011, David Crowder Band stunned fans at the announcement that their time as a band would be coming to a close at the end of the year. Many thought they were joking, but the truth remained: after more than a decade together, their time as a band was complete. There was no dysfunction, no ugly ending--they said it's just time to move on to the next page of life.
Despite the shock, fans were excited to learn that although DC*B's time as a group was coming to an end, Christian music’s beloved sextet still had one more album up their sleeves and were in the studio crafting it. Well, that was the way it was supposed to go, anyway.
“Back in January we decided to start working on a record “ David Crowder said. “It was to be a final masterpiece, our last statement, if you will. But we got sidetracked, and we made a Christmas album instead.”
It was that simple. Two albums for the price of one, and listeners weren’t complaining.
Oh For Joy not only showcases their version of some of the finest Christmas songs ever written, but does so in true David Crowder Band fashion: wacky, wonderful and worshipful.
“Joy To The World” sets the tone by starting this album off on a electric and melodic note, a style the Crowder Band has mastered in these last several years. A simple and jingly “The First Noel” goes back to the band's worship leading roots, and will no doubt get you singing at the top of your lungs,
“Go, Tell It On The Mountain,” easily one of the most underrated Christmas carols of our time, make a vibrant and beautiful appearance on this record. Breathy with the slightest hint of a country twang, this band takes this song and completely makes it their own.
One of the best aspects of David Crowder Band’s live show these many years has been their infamous hoedown, complete with a banjo and fiddle. So it’s no surprise that the hoedown would somehow make its way unto their Christmas record. “Angels We Have Heard On High” becomes a Southern dream in the hands of DC*B, and still manages to keep its worship-minded focus.
A chilling and acoustic version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” takes the stage next and become hands down the most praise driven song on the record. Simple yet haunting, the arraignment alongside David’s vocals are sure to send a chill down your spine and usher into an unhindered moment of worship.
The next few tracks on the album take twist, becoming a live album of sorts. Recorded at the 2011 Passion Conference in Atlanta, the band’s renditions of “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” bring a soft and calming feel to the listener. Something about the voices of thousands of people banning together to worship God never gets old. “Silent Night” however becomes a reflective moment with the inclusion of the lyric “it started so silent,” hinting to the listener that after His birth, the reality of the newborn Savior halted the world brief moment as time started moving again. It’s a powerful moment for the listener, and one that will make you think long beyond the song ends.
As amazing as this album as this is, the true standout track is the final song on the record. Another live Passion recording, the band puts their stamp on what has quickly become one of this generations most beloved holiday songs, Trans Siberian Orchestra’s “Carol Of The Bells / Christmas in Sarajevo.” The song starts off with a brief introduction from David, stating that Christmas doesn’t technically end till Epiphany on Jan. 6. Spoken in a way only he could master, the intro leads directly into one of the best versions of this song I’ve heard since the Orchestra recorded it themselves. Dare I say, this version might even be better. If there ever was ever a way to end a Christmas album with a bang, this would be it.
Closing Thoughts:
This is an extremely bittersweet album. Bitter in knowing this will be one of their final projects as a band, but far more sweet in knowing it was a true labor of love, and something they all came together and made, not only for fans, but more over, for the glory of God. Sometimes minimal, sometimes complicated, this album just goes to show why fans of this band love them so much. That musical genius married with the timeless lyrics of these songs makes for an unforgettable record to say the very least.
No question, Oh For Joy is the must-own Christmas album of 2011. Quirky, playful, classic and downright brilliant, these songs will not only move you to worship, but offer you a bright and shining glimmer of hope, reminding you of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this album, and that alone might be the only thing worth saying.
Christmas is delightfully different here | Posted October-11-2011
TobyMac is an artist who virtually needs no introduction. Having become one of the pioneers of Christian music, both in dc Talk and now his solo career, it's hard to name one thing he hasn't accomplished. Grammys, Dove Awards, AMAs, multi-platinum sales, four studio albums, several remix projects, a live DVD, books, movies, a record label... do I really need to continue?
Despite all his many and successful ventures however, there has been one project fans have been wanting for nearly a decade: a Christmas album.
One might wonder where he would even find the time to make a Christmas record (or breathe for that matter), but ever since the release of his two-song This Christmas EP back in 2001, longtime listeners of the talented musician could only wonder what a full length tobyMac Christmas album would sound like. In 2011, we finally got our answer.
Christmas In Diverse City isn’t your regular, run-of-the-mill holiday album. Then again, Toby isn't your usual run-of-the-mill artist either. He accredits a large amount of his success not only to God, but to those around him, namely his eight-piece Diverse City band, with whom he has been for nearly 10 years. It's their family-style partnership that makes this album a musical goodie bag of sorts. Not only does Toby have six songs of his own on the record, but for the first time, he has given the microphone to each member of the Diverse City band to record their own solo songs. The result is 50 fun-filled minutes of every sound under the sun.
The project starts of with “Christmas This Year,” a song Toby released to radio last season, becoming an instant hit with fans. The song captures all the wonderful memories incorporated with the season and highlights a vocal appearance by Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer. From there, we are led to “The First Noel,” a Christmas classic done with a TobyMac flair. The song features none other than acclaimed Christian and mainstream musician Owl City (a.k.a. Adam Young.) I love the vocal trade-off between these two, and it has quickly become my favorite rendition of the carol.
“Mary’s Boy Child” brings a spirited acoustic feel to this album, due namely to newest Gotee Recording artist Jamie Grace’s bubbly and fun guest vocals. A hip-hop inspired re-make of “O Come All Ye Faithful” leads nicely into “Little Drummer Boy,” the true show-stopper on this album. Layers beyond layers of synthesized drum =lines turn what is usually a mellow song into something far beyond the norm.
“This Christmas (Father Of The Fatherless),” the record that drove his Christmas EP nearly 10 years ago also has been re-recorded for this project. It features a guest spot by the lone female vocalist of Diverse City, Nirva Ready. This newer version is not only up-to-date with current musical stylings, but has also been changed lyrically. The song, talking about a child without a family during the holidays, now includes a new bridge about the child in this story being adopted by his foster family. This almost mirrors Toby’s personal life, as he and his wife adopted twins a few years after this song was originally recorded.
From here on, we are introduced to seven songs created and produced by the members of the Diverse City band, but don’t be fooled, in NO way does that mean this album about to slow down…
“Carol Of The Kings” by DJ Maj brings a soulful edge, taking the beloved “Carol Of The Bells” and transforming into a rapper’s playground of creativity. “Birth Of Love” by SuperHeRose (a band fronted by drummer Brian Haley), wins the award for the most unique of all the songs with it‘s semi-Broadway feel, while the piano driven and haunting “What Child Is This?” by Arch Nemisiz (Dave Wyatt and GabeReal) is sure to leave the listener in a pure moment of worship.
Diverse City guitarist Tim Rosenau dives into the pool next with the grungy “It Snowed,” the only real rock song on the record. It’s a fun song written from the perspective of a teenager at Christmas, ultimately happy to be surrounded by their family. “Angels We Have Heard On High” by Nirva Ready serves as the only real “classic” rendition of a timeless carol. It’s a nice breather after such a high energy album, and a great reminder of why we celebrate the season.
“Santa’acomin’baka’round!”--undoubtedly the best title on the project--by bassist ToddieFunk, offers a catchy and irresistible ‘70s groove, bringing to mind the sounds of Jackson 5. Finally, closing it out is “Christmas Time” by Byron “Mr. Talkbox” Chambers. This song brings the album full circle, coming back to where Toby started--sharing all of the fun and special memories we create during the season. It’s the familial feel of the song makes this a fantastic way to close the record.
Closing Thoughts:
We all knew when TobyMac would venture into the waters of a Christmas project, it wouldn’t be like anything else out there. Known for his trademark “musical gumbo,” Toby not only delivers melodically on this album, but on a lyrical level, too. Soft moments of worship are often followed up by danceable and rowdy beats, but somehow, in true TobyMac fashion, it works. The heart remains throughout each track.
For people who enjoy a classical warm and fuzzy Christmas record, this may not be your “must-have“ album of the holiday season, but for those who are looking to broaden their horizons, I guarantee you‘ve found your match. Christmas In Diverse City is the most creative Christmas record of 2011, and one that both Christian and mainstream music fans alike will find themselves enjoying around the Christmas tree this season. Believers will be moved, and hopefully, those who are searching for truth will find themselves asking questions about the true reason for the season.
When all is said and done, you can now officially add “brilliantly crafted Christmas project” to the list of accomplishments by TobyMac--and a brilliantly crafted Christmas project it is.
SarahFine_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
