A Must For Any SCC Fan | Posted January-29-2008
SCC has always been a favorite no matter what he is doing, usually writing songs, with both his family and his fans. After taking a three year absence from writing, he finally returned with the "Speechless", and it was worth the wait. Delivering new sides of his music that we had never heard before, Steven and his first time recording "touring band" created songs that are so rockin', it's hard to classify Steven as a contemporary artist. You will fall in love with this album from Christian Music's most popular artist. This family man is one heck of a songwriter, and once again, he leaves an album making us...well, you know.
Nothing Outstanding Here | Posted January-29-2008
This was an album that had to grow on me and it certainly has not stood the test of time. It was ok back then, and not so great today. Here was my initial reaction from "back in the day."
At first I was disappointed as the project never quite reached the pace I expected. So, without the preconceived notions, I listened again, and discovered the power and depth by Barry Blaze and company. Instead of working hard to pack energy through the pace of the tunes, they pack the energy into the feel of the funky grooves. Part of the change can probably be attributed to working with a producer for the first time. When I say change, I mean, this is their sophomore project. Their first was poor and no one really heard about it. My favorite song on the album is a grooving rendition of Larry Norman's "Nothing Really Changes." This album, although becoming very dated, is a fun one to listen to every once in awhile, but unless you are dying for CD choices, pass this one up.
Trying To Satisfy Everyone Leaves A Few Behind | Posted January-29-2008
Steven Curtis Chapman continues to push his musical territory on Declaration, his tenth studio release during his incredible career. His last album, Speechless, made radio history with 7 singles going to number 1, bringing his total number of chart toppers to 36 (obviously now of of date - he has much more)! Guaranteed, there are a few more coming his way on the new album, including his first single "Live Out Loud" which is straight up Chapman pop. Steven's music is rounding the corner that he started turning on Speechless and it's represented well with the cover showing him holding an electric guitar, a new image considering it's the first time he's chosen the electric over the acoustic. But fear not Chapman fans, Steven still delivers his classic, contemporary sound. It's amazing to see how Steven's music develops with each album though. Songs like "See The Glory" and "Bring It On" are so heavy they will never be heard on radio stations that consider Steven as a staple artist, but rest assured they'll make #1 on a chart that he rarely visits: CHR and Rock. I'm not joking, these songs move with the best of them. The only complaint with this album is that it's painfully obvious that Steven is trying to satisfy everyone, creating an album that is split right down the middle with songs that will be enjoyed and songs that will be skipped. I know little people who enjoy rock as well as inspirational, especially all on one album. Steven will satisfy his regular fans and he'll probably pick up some new listeners along the way, which proves that he's a smart artist, but hopefully, he'll be able to pick a genre and stick with it in the future versus being everything to everyone.
Return To Acoustic For A Great Love Fest | Posted January-29-2008
Steven Curtis Chapman returned to the acoustic guitar on his eleventh studio recording (thirteenth overall) that is summed up best by the title, All About Love. With his wife of eighteen years, Mary Beth, providing inspiration, Steven's crafted a thematic album around the concept that we love God best when we love each other well. The sixteen tracks on this album passes the traditional love song by taking the next step to explore relationships and marriage in a Christian context. Lyrically, this album is beautifully written. Steven does a great job with balancing love and life with his faith as most evident in "How Do I Love Her," a song written to God thanking him for the gift of a wife but also questioning how to take care of that gift. Steven has also include two cover songs on this album, one well known and the other a personal favorite. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" is a fun remake of the popular song by The Proclaimers. Steven adds his own syncopation to the rhythm that gives the song just enough to make it interesting again. The other remake, "I'll Take Care Of You," was recorded in 1984 by Ronnie Milsap and quickly became Steven and Mary Beth's "song." Although this is a very solid album, there are a few moments of distraction. The title track is too similar to past singles and "We Belong Together (Tarzan and Jane)" falls into the "silly love song" category, but thankfully, the other fourteen tracks on All About Love shine as new territory for this seasoned artist. The challenge is loud and clear on this album throughout every track, and it's something everyone can relate to. By comparing our love for others, (including our spouses), to the love God has for them places things in a whole new perspective. How often do we look at people and treat them exactly the way God would? A challenge indeed that will hopefully encourage us all to be better at the most powerful emotion of all: love.
One Of The Best Debut Albums In A Long Time | Posted January-29-2008
Casting Crowns began as a student worship band in Daytona Beach, FL in 1999, but unlike many of the "youth group bands" that are releasing sub-par music into the marketplace, the debut album from Casting Crowns is a wonderful collection of songs overflowing with challenging lyrics pointed directly at the forehead of the church. Lead by Mark Hall, a youth pastor for the past 12 years, the group's ability to blend captivating choruses, harmonies and hard-to-hear truths were perfected in the studio by co-producers Mark Miller (the hyper-animated frontman for the veteran country group Sawyer Brown) and Steven Curtis Chapman. On songs like "American Dream," which documents a father's neglect as he chases after the material nature of providing for his family, and "If We Are The Body," challenges Christians in the church to step outside the exclusive circles we are involved in and see the needs of others around us. Standout tracks include "Voice of Truth," a beautifully written song about keeping your focus in a world that continues to distract us, and "Who Am I," a powerful ballad where Mark drops a simple reminder of God's grace: "Not because of who I am / But because of what You've done / Not because of what I've done / But because of who You are." The song is given even more depth by Melodee DeVevo's vocals, reminiscent of Caedmon's Call. After listening to this album, you can't help but feel reenergized to continue to reach higher for God's standards...just like any good Sunday sermon should do.
Really Enjoyed This Album | Posted January-29-2008
Eric Champion went from Dance Pop to Alternative Grunge with his album Transformation. This is one artist that I really liked but unfortunately, there were not a lot of people who agreed. While some said this was a sad attempt to sound like everyone else, I loved Eric's lyrics. His satire of the human's need to be like everyone else is hilarious. The highlight of this album is a remake of Amy Grant's song "Every Heartbeat" (remember that song?), a great Alternative/hyperactive mix that will make you smile! All in all, this album is great and should be remembered. Good luck finding it now though.
Top Notch Release | Posted November-30-2009
Twenty-four year old Jeremy Camp's national debut release is filled with the kind of passion and maturity rarely found in today's music, and it's with good reason. To sum up Jeremy's story in one paragraph is unfair, but in February 2001, Jeremy found himself having to deal with the reality of losing his wife of six months to cancer. Out of that experience comes Stay, a collection of twelve songs that goes against everything that one world expect from someone who went through such a personal loss just a year earlier. Hope. Acceptance. Peace. Faith. Thankfulness. All of these themes are omnipresent in each and every song.
Jeremy talks candidly about his struggle on "Breaking My Fall," "Nothing" and "One Day At A Time" where he says "In all these things I will press on / I'll be with you I know it won't be long." But then he brings in peace that he's found through God by saying in "I Still Believe," "I feel your grace fall like rain / From every fingertip / Washing away my pain." I'm sure there were times of anger with God but he certainly does not show that frustration here. This album is seeping with testimony that will knock you to your knees with conviction.
For Jeremy to take such a personal loss public, and then release an album that so openly shows the healing power and the tremendous peace that God brings and is able to provide is simply amazing. With so much pain in life, it's a mystery to me how people make it without the constant and never ending support and presence of our Lord and Savior.
Musically, Stay could stand up against groups like 3 Doors Down, Nickleback and Lifehouse, but honestly, the lyrics are so powerful, it's simply a bonus that the music is top notch as well.
TOP 10 ALBUM OF 2007 | Posted November-19-2007
There's probably not a review of this album that doesn't compare the group to the Black Eyed Peas and that's an incredibly fair comparison. The Christian market gets a lot of flack for mirroring the styles and looks of a mainstream world that always seems one step ahead. I'm a little more understanding of the desire to provide an alternative to what continues to be a genre void of any moral compass.
Group 1 Crew has come out of the gate with an impressive album packed with quality production, intriguing lyrics and musical depth. They balance their songs with equal parts rap and female led singing that gives each track. Really, the only fumble on the album is "Clap Ya Hands," a Latin flavored song that simply doesn't fit with the rest of the album's street feel. The rest of the album is so solid, it's hard to cite any flaws. Group 1 Crew's sophomore album is coming in early 2008. Let's hope this foundation is one they build on and we're talking about them again this time next year.
TOP 10 ALBUM OF 2007 | Posted November-19-2007
The energetic Toronto band is back with their best album to date after misfiring with the disjointed The Art of Breaking. Completed in just three weeks after being challenged to record in the studio live, The Flame In All Of Us is an album that feels consistent, solid and seeping with raw energy.
TFK has never been shy about writing a hook, and The Flame In All Of Us does not disappoint. Songs from the title track, to "What Do We Know?" and "Falls Apart" are instantly familiar. The band also balances rock and pop perfectly from the low throat growling on "My Own Enemy" and "InHuman" to the final acoustic track "Wish You Well. They are one of the few bands that can go from rocking your face off to gently washing it (awwwwwww).
If I'm being completely honest, I stumble on songs like "New Drug" and "Favorite Disease." Relating a relationship with God to drug addictions and inescapable viruses is hard to bye into. I realize that makes me sound like a 90 year old grump, and I know it speaks to some, but I question the continued efforts to spin a new hook on the common mistakes that a lot of people work hard to avoid.
TOP 10 ALBUM OF 2007 | Posted November-19-2007
For once, I would love for MercyMe to release an album in February. It seems that with each release, I'm scrambling to cram it into my ears before my annual round up and by the time I've had a chance to truly discover the album, it's fallen off my radar and never gets mentioned. This year, I made it a point to listen to MercyMe's latest and I'm glad I did. Unfortunately, I haven't listened to anything else the past two weeks. The album has consumed my daily rotation.
MercyMe is one of Christian music's most steady acts. They have faithfully put out new music on a regular basis and while they rarely break new ground with their songwriting, their albums consistently feel fresh and new. Much credit should be given to lead singer Bart Millard's incredible voice that consistently takes an ok song and turns it into a soaring balled or pop performance.
The groups' sixth national release finds MercyMe doing what they do best. There are driving pop songs like "Time Has Come" and "Goodbye Ordinary", beautiful ballads like "I Know" and worship-filled moments like "You Reign" and "God With Us". There are just some albums that are just easy to listen to and not much needs to be said about them. This is simply one of those albums.
KevinMcNeese_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
