Pieces of a Real Heart
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Sanctus Real Since releasing Say It Loud on Sparrow records Sanctus Real has been a consistent voice is CCM. Hits like "Things Like You (Everyone's Everything)," "I'm Not Alright," and "We Need Each Other" have...
Breaking The Silence EP
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The Letter Black Known as Breaking The Silence, The Letter Black or a Flyleaf/Fireflight re-make, one Tooth and Nail’s newest artists have now provided fans with their first project, Breaking The Silence EP. The band is...
Forget And Not Slow Down
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Relient K Forget And Not Slow Down sis not a Relient K album. Yes, on the side of an album is says ‘Relient K’, but comparing this release to Relient K’s career is difficult. This Relient K uses five new weapons...
Creativity and verity rule the Album | Posted August-11-2007
Imagine, Michel W. Smith as a rapper, well it could have come to pass, because in his creative Go west young man, he does a verity of things on his CD, including rap.
Go west young man has creative music which includes pop/light rock, with praise and worship and, yes, a little rap. The age of the music is felt, as some parts are over done and songs overly extended. But it is filled with fun songs like "love crusade" and the title track "go west young man". Many other neat songs are in the mix as well, sadly though the song "seed to sow" could have been better than it was.
The lyrics are nothing special, but songs on the album are not as predictable that other Michel W. Smith discs. The song "how long will be too long" is the deepest on the CD, most other are only solid.
Michel W. Smith has creative music that makes Go West Young Man a highlight in his popular career.
A fun debut | Posted August-11-2007
The punk/rock Letters to the president is the debut of Hawk Nelson, a group who sings about life, girls, and God - mostly in that order.
Letters to the president is a up-beat refreshing album that has a verity of types of music. Through out the album is softer songs like "from Underneath" and the single "take me", but they also rock with Trevor McNiven (thousand foot crutch) on "race car". But the real appeal is the punk songs. Singles like "things we go through" and every little thing" are fun and sound great, but the best of the album is" California" and the title track. "Someone else before" sounds cool (but pointless), but that's the extent of the highlights.
Most of Hawk Nelson's songs are meaningless, which is not bad, but when they do talk about important things it's not very deep. "Every little thing" and "Take me" are good, but the best is "letters to the President", but over all though the lyrics are not very impressive.
A good sounding album but could improve in a lot of things, especially the lyrics. But Hawk Nelson does have good marks for their debut CD.
Refinment through work | Posted December-29-2008
The success of the many singles (“Anthem”, It’s on” “Pure” “One Girl Revolution”, and the hit single “we live”) of Superchic[k]’s mainstream released Beauty from Pain was apparently good enough to launch the 1.1 version. And despite what fans may think of Superchic[k]’s work ethic considering time between album and album lengths there is no denying that the formula that Superchic[k] uses has been successful and continues to be successful.
It’s not too hard to guess what’s genre Superchic[k] mainly deals in after hearing “anthem”; a rather catchy girl rock song which uses some loud guitar riffs. The song “Stories (Down To The Bottom” with tobyMac, was omitted from the 1.1 version which all but eliminated the occasional hip hop feel that Superchic[k] infrequently uses with the exception quirky rock song “pure” and “we live”. While the background vocals in “bowling ball” are irritating the fast paced, upbeat punk/pop/rock anthem remains intact thanks to a consistent beat and lead singer Trisha Brock’s fine vocals. While “one girl revolution” was originally released on the band’s debut disc Karaoke Superstar and re-mixed on their Regeneration project it the mixed version shows up again on the 1.1 CD probably for the same reason it has showed up on previous albums: the beat, vocals, and riffs all rock (although it’s about time the trend died). The juvenile sounds of the verses’ in “wishes” don’t get much more mature throughout the song is pretty much out classed against the always rocking “it’s on”. Likewise “suddenly” falls short of the intensity of “it’s on” with the average rock chorus. One thing that Superchic[k] thrives one besides catchy girl rock tunes is emotional ballads which are heavily influenced by Brocks passionate vocals on “we live”. The one new song on the disc, the mega hit “stand in the rain” is very artistic with the mesmeric piano and the title track is also an amazingly well crafted ballad which is an excellent point to end the album.
Despite Supechic[k]’s solid music, their mission of inspiring, empowering, and helping their fans believe in themselves is a little shallow. Going hand in hand with Beauty from Pain 1.1 was their explanation of what the band believed in which included not limiting ourselves when it came to changing the world but avoided who we should be changing the world for. With that in mind Superchic[k]s lyrics can be better understood. Though “we live” has great lyrics about embracing the moments that we have (We live we love/We forgive and never give up/Cause the days we are given are gifts from above/Today we remember to live and to love’) the focus is certainly not on God. The same is true of “stand in the rain” which basically takes a simple message of standing through trails and transforms it into an emotional hit with the help of some inspirational music. Sparking a revolution is defiantly on Superchic[k]s mind (which is simplistically portrayed on “One Girl Revolution (remix)” and “It's On”) though remember God’s name is never mentioned or implied. Both “wishes” and “bowling ball” target the need to let go of bad relationships for girls while “courage” centers on an eating disorder. Based on Job 23:12 the message of “Beauty from Pain” is described in the title (‘I wonder why God lets me walk through this place…You will bring beauty from my pain).
Overall the changes on Beauty from Pain 1.1 have left a better album than the original, with a better song selection. The music is incredibly solid from the catchy pop/rock tunes to the riveting ballads but while the messages they send are all positive there is some shallowness to the lyrics that doesn’t just apply to the lack of spirituality.
Not yet a "call out" | Posted December-01-2008
Every band starts somewhere. And in the case of Run Kid Run that place was Illinois which eventually led them to record their debut album This is Who We Are. Akin to the likes of Stellar Kart, Hawk Nelson and Relient K, the punk rock that was showed in the single “we have only just begun” was solid and refreshing.
However the entire album doesn’t follow that exact pattern as the first song. for one thing with the exception of three tracks most of the songs are drawn from the same well meaning you could spin the disc ten times and get little out of a ten track CD that could have been condensed to five. While “Move on” is a fun pop rock song, the music isn’t aggressive enough and the music falls flat, and “sing to me” lacks a motivational drive.
The bright spots in the album, which point to future success, is the upbeat, uplifting “we have only just begun”; a song that moves swiftly and has a terrific bridge to go along with a catchy chorus. Run Kid Run’s second single “I’ll forever sing” is up tempo and has a good infectious beat to the worship-like tune. The real gem on This is Who We Are is “the call out” which consists of a extremely catchy tunes, great riffs, stellar hooks, and a fantastic song set up.
Guitar player Neil Endicott had this to say about the band’s lyrics: "We want people to have something they can listen to that makes them feel better about whatever is going on in their life.". very true, but don’t forget the spiritual messages that comingle with the encouraging lyrics. "Wake Up, Get Up", “we have only just begun”, and “the call out” are all anthems to make something of this life while the praise and worship music is just set up in a faster beat ("Outline Of A Love", “I’ll forever sing”, and “sing to me”).
When only three songs stand out it’s hard to say that any album was good, but This is Who we Are still managed to be good despite the lack of diversity and creativity. If that changes Run Kid Run has some good tools to already go along with their rock solid God-centered lyrics.
A good Album | Posted August-09-2007
Once Upon a Shattered life is the second chapter from Seventh Day Slumber, a rock group who's message is about hope.
Once Upon Shattered life is made up of raw rock tunes mixed with lighter songs like the hit single and touching song "Caroline". The rock is not great with most songs sounding pretty similar to the last one, with only the title track "shattered life" being the one that sticks out the most. The softer music has room to improve as well.
The lyrics are straight forward, though are lives may be messed up God can heal our wounds. The messages are good for most songs, if not a bit repetitive at times.
Most songs on Once upon shattered life are solid, but like the single "oceans from the rain", the best is only pretty good. There is plenty of room to improve for Seventh Day Slumber
Casting Crowns is a wonderful album | Posted August-08-2007
When the Hit song "if we are the body" first was released on the radio, it turned heads to see Casting Crowns, a band that would set its reputation on good music and amazing lyrics.
Casting Crowns self-titled debut is light rock with praise and worship. Although the music is not flat out amazing, it does not do the album any harm. Past the praise and worship songs, are the more grabbing songs like "here I go again" and the hits, "who am I" and "voice of truth".
But what makes Casting Crowns even more spectacular is the songs that question how and why we do things. The great songs on the CD are "American dream", "what if his people prayed" and the hit "if we are the body".
Overall the first six tracks are the life of the CD, but the powerful lyrics and good music makes Casting Crown's opening album a CD that every Christian can enjoy.
This is a great Point of View | Posted March-18-2008
The first, and only release of Grand Prize (now Esterlyn), Identity is a CD debut CD where there is inexperienced, but good, rock music, rough lyrics, and great lyrics. If you like Jeremy Camps you will find a lot in common with this CD.
The vocals and music are similar to Jeremy Camp. Grand Prize opens with the pretty cool rock song: "it's not over". It does not take them long to establish their expertise in harder rock music with "break me" and "point of view". "So won't you come" is not a great rock song but is aided but the background vocals with intensify it some. "Shepherd" is a nice soft song which is nice and it has a charm to it that "I remember" doesn't have.
The chorus of "your love will never fade" is the best part of the song but it's repetitive. "You are wonderful" is a little pathetic because of it's shortness. "I'm waiting opens up with lead singer Luke Cadwell just talking along with a light beat and the song overall is cool. The rock songs " to see you" and "like I never did" are nice but nothing great. The bonus track is just Cadwell and his guitar which is pretty nice.
The lyrics are the soul of the album. "It's not over" has flat out great lyrics, and break me is taken so excellently out of Scripture it's not even funny it's so good. if it's "king of kings" or "shepherd of my soul" or "point of view" it's clear that in terms of lyrics Grand Prize is ahead of most debut bands. All the lyrics are solid and even those which are not that deep still have great truths ("your love will never fade").
For being the first album by these guys they sure did a lot of things right, having smart biblical songs which fitted in perfectly with the sweet music.
This Album takes no falls! | Posted August-06-2007
Falling Up's beginning CD, Crashing, is an impressive rock album that is a sign of what's to come for the band. The music is alternative rock which offers a great style. The only draw back is there is not enough originality between all 12 tracks, but there are more than a few songs that stick out.
The intro the first song (bittersweet) is only the beginning of a great song and CD. Falling Up doesn't touch hard Rock, but does slow down on a couple of tracks. New Hope Generation" is one of the "stand out" songs, as is the awesome sounding, broken heart.
Unlike future CD's, Falling Up messages are more straight forward. It's a great start, but the Album could have used more diversity.
Some what disappointing | Posted March-12-2008
Sanctus Real turned some heads with some of their hits off of their sophomore album Fight the tide, and the first single "I'm not alright" was an instant hit, because many people could relate to the message of the song. The Face of love was a highly anticipate album, but aside from some hits on the radio, it falls into the shadow of Fight the Tide.
The music is pretty much rock, with just a hint of screaming on "I'm not alright", which is not really fair because Sanctus Real did not go over board and the screaming improved the song, over all the song is a solid rock song. A big problem with the face of love is that the chorus kills so many songs, like lighter rock song "eloquent" and the rock song "fly". The first half contains most of the singles, the single and title track "face of love" is light, and is nothing impressive.
The verses of the hit single "don't give up" are excellent, but the so-so refrain makes it an average song. "We are trying" starts nicely but the chorus is just off, and "thank you" is at the very best okay. for being a rock band Sanctus Real doesn't do much rocking on this album, "magnetic" is another example of that, as it does not win any prizes for its music. The album finally finds life in "possibilities" which is an upbeat song that's fun, but it does provoke some head scratching: weren't the medium songs on Fight the Tide this good or better? The light song "Benjamin" has a certain charm to it.
The lyrics are pretty solid, "I'm not alright confesses that people are not alright and they need God. The title track tells us we need be Gods face of love in this world. "Possibilities" discuss doing things while we have time, and "don't give up" encourages us to not quit even when loving people can be hard. Sanctus Real acknowledges God on "magnetic", "eloquent", and "thank you". Also "we are trying" is nice because it refutes the claims that man is basically good.
There are some golden songs among the nice, but simple lyrics, but the music is only so-so music. Maybe we were just spoiled by Fight the Tide's excellence, either way Sanctus Real doesn't do much impressing on Face of Love.
Toby Mac's Best! | Posted March-12-2008
In the age where large CD's are not as appreciated since the up rising of down loading music, tobyMac found the solution. He shortened up his album, added a little more effort to each individual song and the result is rock fused hip hop, as tobyMac continues his ever increasing popular hybrid style of music.
tobyMac seems to do it all on this album, a little rock, a little rap, and a lot of fun hip-hop and just a dab of reggae. His opening smash hit single "made to love" is a brilliant rock/hop hop song that set the stage for portable sounds brilliantly. And comparing opening songs from his previous album Diverse City ("hey now" and the super hop hip tune and hit single "one world") it just doesn't compare. The beats are incredible, the 'title track' "boomin" is a great 'rockin song, despite the opera trip, and so is "Ignition" which features the help of Trevor McNevan which also rocks. The most hip hop songs are "no ordinary love" and "feeling so fly"; the latter song is more annoying.
The album really gets super charged with the crossover songs like the hit single "I'm for you", and the speedy and awesome "suddenly". Toby and his son Trudog do Hype Man (truDog 97) and it's a fun song, Truett gets better with each album. Face of the Earth has a tad bit of reggae in it but it's a great soft song, so is "all in". "no signal" is a little out of place and breaks up the pace of that album a little. Portable sounds end perfectly with "lose my soul" staring Kirk Franklin and Mandisa. Mandisa is a little out of place with her little bit but her back round vocals are great, and Mr. Franklin is very welcome with his superb job. Oh and tobyMac does a good job too.
The lyric is full of the same quality that the music is. Covering peoples backs is a recurring theme in Portable sounds, starting with "one world" and "I'm for you". "suddenly" and "face of the earth" are great songs about relationships. "No ordinary love" and "made to love" are simple and so is "all in". going out into the world to preach the Gospel is in "boomin". Aside from the music "lose my soul" is a great anthem in a world "filled with self love".
Portable sounds is a excellent album sure to have something that will please everyone, however not everyone will like everything. Every album tobyMac comes out with he gets better, the amount of songs might have shrunk but the quality has grown bigger.
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