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...
Relient K presses on! | Posted July-25-2007
Relient K's Anatomy of tongue in cheek, really hit the hammer on the head. With singles like "pressing on", "Sadie Hawkins dance" and "for the moments I feel faint" Relient K starts to stake its claim in Christian music.
The music while not perfect is excellent, with little room to improve. This is shown on tracks like "pressing on" and "Sadie Hawkins dance", on which it seems they captured the "punkish" sound well. Tracks like "break down" and "down in flames" don't move along as smoothly, but still are terrific songs. The rock tune "failure to excommunicate" is edgy, but still very solid and is a glimpse of what is to come.
The messages they send, are deeper than your average second CD, punk/rock group, and tackle issues like Christians not being Christians (down in flames), blaming others (maybe it's maybiline) and "failure to excommunicate" is a another tremendous song among several. Relient K also slows down on tracks like "those words are not enough", "for the moments I feel faint", and "less is more", which will satisfy those who prefer a more worship overtone.
In the mix of playful and short songs is a solid style of music, and surprisingly deeper lyrics. While there is room for some improvement, Relient K scores big on Anatomy of Tongue in Cheek.
Makes you want to say Mmhmm!! | Posted May-19-2008
One of the most popular bands in Christian music (and spreading to mainstream music) really began to pick up speed with their fourth studio release, Mmhmm. Pop/punk/rock band Relient K blends all of their talents in a creative, funny, and sometimes intense effort that really set them apart.
The very first song on the album starts off with a bang, “the one I’m waiting for” puts their pop punk act together in a creative group of melodies and guitar riffs. The first hit single (in a barrage of them) “be my escape” is a excellent rock song which changes tunes several times during the song, including twice in the chorus. The best part is that is changes smoothly also. The next hit single “high of seventy five” is a clever punk song which moves nicely. If there is a gem on Mmhmm, it is “I so hate consequences” the extremely fast paced rock song, which has a flawless tune and slows down perfectly at the end leaving the listener a feel of a beautiful ballad.
Releint K gets a laugh in with “The Only Thing Worse Than Beating a Dead Horse is Betting on One” which is incredibly fast paced song that doesn’t even break two minuites. “My girls ex boyfriend” is nice pop/rock tune but it feels a little out of place leading up to that point because it’s not that strong (comparatively). The album slows down with “let it out” which is a very good ballad. “more than useless” is a good punk track but it does not have the same fire that others on the record has the same goes for “Maintain Consciousness”.
The hardest song on the album, “Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet” incorporates a little screaming (a first for the band) but the song is good, has good song writing and it’s a stand out song. The hit “Who I Am Hates Who I've Been” is a fast paced, upbeat rock song which is spectacular but it’s still pretty impressive. The impressive punk that is so refined is displayed on creative “this week the trend” which moves very quickly. The sequel of a earlier song, “failure to excommunicate”, “Life After Death and Taxes (Failure II)” is almost as good as it’s the first one as it’s edgy rock makes it a highlight. The final song “when I go down” is a long ballad which is stirring.
Relient K hasn’t always take itself seriously in the past, but on Mmhmm the band goes a little deeper. Redemption is a big theme on “who I am hates who I’ve been” and on “I so hate consequences” which has the powerful lyrics ‘There your words they caught my ears You said/I miss you son. Come home’. But even on the more comical songs, clever song writing surfaces. A perfect example is this “week the trend” (‘And I just want to get mugged at knifepoint/to get cut enough to wake me up/Cause I know that I don't want to die’) and “The Only Thing Worse Than Beating a Dead Horse is Betting on One” is just funny.
Even songs where God is not on the scene there are still good lessons. “The one I’m waiting for” cautions against bad relationships and encourages listening to others, while “Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet” is about repairing friend ships. “Let It All Out” encourages putting trust in Christ even though it’s not easy (‘the end will justify the pain it took to get us there’). Tracks 3, 5, 6, and 12 the lyrics are very solid and sometimes spectacular with “be my escape” leading the way.
Original tunes, creative lyrics, and good vocals all equals a huge amount of fun on Mmhmm. Is Relient K’s CD perfect? No. is the CD worth all the hype. Yes.
Hawk does not make a full head on collision | Posted July-21-2007
After a successful debut, Hawk Nelson came charging back into the spot light with the hit song, "Everything you ever wanted" for their new anticipated album "Smile: it's the end of the world".
The band stays true to its genre, delivering 12 punk songs, with a little rock mixed in. The rockers within are shown on tracks "the one thing I have left" and "is forever enough". But the songs like "Hello" something "on my mind" and a would be hit single "head on collision", are the highlights.
Unfortunately the CD fails with coming up with too many solid songs. The two party songs "the show" and "bring them out" are not meant to be strong but one would hope for more on other tracks, those did not exist on the songs: "it's over" and "nothing left to show".
Hawk Nelson was clever with the design of the CD, its fun like the Album. It's sad that "everything you ever wanted" is the only really deep thing on a CD. It's sadder that they didn't make much progress to making better music, but hey, it's only a positive CD, in a negative world.
Small CD, big songs | Posted July-19-2007
In between Mmhmm, and Five Score and Seven Years Ago, comes Apathetic Ep from Relient K. The Ep is Relient K all the way, from the punk/rock tunes to the acoustic versions of some of their songs.
The first two tracks, the single, "the Truth" and "apathetic way to be" is traditional Relient K pop/punk, which are very good, and set up nicely for the newest album. Fallowing those, are three acoustic versions of older songs, two of off their CD Mmhmm (the hit "be my escape" and "which to bury, us or the hatchet") and "overthinking" from their two lets don't make a right, but three do, album.
"which to bury, us or the hatchet" sounds better non-acoustic, but "overthinking" seems to be born to be acoustic. The two final tracks is started of by "always winter", a song inspired by the lion the witch and the wardrobe movie. It is beautifully written, and is an awesome song all around. The final song, is "the thief" a strait piano song that adds to the wonder of the small disc.
When fans wanted something from Relient K, they got it in the form of Apathetic Ep, a CD that will entertain fans while they wait.
A hit for the genre! | Posted August-31-2007
Aaron Shust's first CD anything worth saying, is a impressive worship album of today's standards. His song writing is solid even with his two songs that are not even a combined minute and his re writing the hymn, the dove awarding song "my Savior, my God.
His other singles "matchless" "give it all away" are nice. Overall his music is fresh, opposed to other worship artists who just play other peoples songs.
Anything worth saying is a nice CD that will satisfy a worship music fan's taste.
A imperfect CD | Posted December-04-2008
The cover of Everyday Sunday’s sophomore album Anthems for the imperfect captures that theme well: a row of light bulbs with one burned out. Now the saying ‘you can’t judge a CD by it’s cover’ is still true but very few CD’s capture the totality of the bands second album quite as well as Anthems of the Imperfect’s cover. Coming off of a rather strong debut, Stand Up, that’s not exactly a good thing,
Everyday Sunday weaved their intense rock tunes into their pop/rock with a good degree of skill in Stand Up. However the first difference between the albums musically is the hardest song on their sophomore album “something”, a rough rock song that would sound great if it had more refinement, but as it is the guitar strings and Trey Pearson vocals don’t stick. One of the biggest problems is that most of the time Pearson’s vocals just do not mix with the tunes whether his voice is off key or simply doesn’t reach for that high note enough. The vocals spoil a potential masterpiece “gypsy girl (what love is)” where the emotional simple verses are supported by the rock chorus.
The opening track, “I wish I could say” is a raw pop rock song which is catchy but not cutting edge, and although “bring it on” is a nice punk song the song files by too quickly and some of the music is too corny. And that is some of the better songs, when it comes to “herself” (I want a girl) come across as a run upbeat tune but the hooks are rough, and the verse of “To the Skies” is just awkward while the refrain is not much better. “Freshman year” is a nice energetic song that flows well buts its surrounded by other lesser pop rock tunes (“Comfort Zone” and “Star Of The Show”).
The mellow “I won’t give up” is offers a different approach with the light emotional pop which offers a nice change of pace except that the music is a little basic to be considered a truly amazing song; also fans must decide whether they want the long instrumental ending. Two songs which offer hope for the future for Everyday Sunday is “Untitled, Anonymous” a basic guitar driven tune with a passionate chorus which is tremendous. The final song brings in Mathew Thiessen (Relient K) to help with the emotion of what is really a soft worship song.
With the theme of imperfection in mind the songs really fall into place from the opener (“I wish I could say) where the singer wants to say everything is alright but knowing that only God can to “freshman year”. While the songwriting on “Gypsy girl (what love is) is brilliant the song focuses on a girl with God in mind (‘when will you be still and take your chances with God?’) plus the same is true with "Herself (I Want A Girl)" which discusses what the singer wants in a girlfriend ‘(She loves God with all that she brings
She brings Him everything’).
“The one” is basically a worship song, while “bring it one” is about taking the world on with God in mind (‘Bring it on, bring it on/We're bringing it for God, so bring on the crowd’ with "Comfort Zone" sharing a similar message. Most of the songs are fairly simple, but “untitled, anonymous” is better than most. Capping off the imperfection topic is "I Won't Give Up" that offers a great anthem ‘Well I tell You that I'm guilty, I messed up/Please forgive me Jesus/I promise I won't give up’.
When an artist admits an album is a half hearted release it’s likely that the album as a whole won’t be too solid. Unfortunately the theme of Imperfection in the messages is the same as the premise of the music. While there is some positive stuff for Everyday Sunday’s sophomore project even fans will have trouble coming up with stuff to gloat about.
All gas. No depth. | Posted July-16-2007
Stellar Karts first CD "all gas. No brake." Has 11 pop/punk songs that contain shallow lyrics and incomplete messages.
Stellar Kart gave listeners a taste of their album with the singles "spending time", "life is good", and "finish last", unfortunately that's as good as it gets. Most of the tracks are short ("tree climber" does not reach thirty seconds), and "life is good" is snappy, but is overly repetitive and still doesn't' break three minutes.
Also Stellar Kart fails to impress anyone with their lyrics and in some cases ("life is good" and "second chances") are incomplete. While they are not bad they presume that eternal life is good foe everyone. And "Livin' on a prayer" is not very original.
The messages are mostly lame, the music while snappy, begins to wear on the listener after a few spins. "all gas. no brake." Is a rough debut which has potential but, the wise buyer will skip the CD.
Relient K continues their quality with five score... | Posted June-13-2008
Five Score and Seven Years ago: the name has few meanings. First it’s their fifth studio release, and it’s the first time they have used five members on an album. Secondly, seven years ago Relient K came out with their first self tiled album. The most important thing for the fans is it’s another Hit for the increasingly popular Pop/punk/ rock group.
It was evident from the first single “forgiven” that a new sound was going to be in use on this album, and it was a switch to a more punk sound to a more refined style. Five score and seven years ago, unlike other Reliet K CD’s, the CD does not have very many lights out songs, which may be because most of the songs are top notch. “Forgiven” is a spectacular sounding song, but it doesn’t sound like tradition Releint K, but “why don’t you come out and say it” and “bite my tongue” will remind fans who is singing.
The disc has two heavier songs, like other releases, which are “devastation and reform” and “I need you”, which are very good. The single “Give” is about the lightest song one the album, and the only one with a remotely worshipful tune on the album. While “faking my own suicide” has a clever sound but its gets old quickly, it’s similar with “I’m taking you with me” in that it falls of the album as weak. “The best thing” and the single “must have done something right” have a punk sound and are very fun and up-beat.
“Crayons can melt us for all I care” and “plead the fifth” is the joke of the CD, both of the songs does not break a minute thirty combined. So the band had their joke but when it came to the last song on the album this got mostly locked in. “Deathbed” is a superb sounding song, as they used a bunch off different types of music for the long song, even Jon Forman of Switchfoot came out to help. Deathbed is Releint K’s pinnacle song right now, both lyrically and musically.
With Relient K having hits on mainstream music, they certainly didn't compromise their standards with writing songs. Relient K set a personal record with four songs that are about girls, which is disappointing. However God shows up in the album more than once, and just good lyrics surround the CD. “I need you” and “Give” are firm songs, and so is “forgiven”. Mathew Thiessen does a good job as always of having smart lyrics to his songs, but on the redemption “Deathbed” he did his best.
With their fifth studio release, its unsure weather or not Releint K will keep with this sound or go back to the 80’s style of music. Five score and seven years is good Relient K album, but not the best.
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