Satellites & Sirens
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Satellites & Sirens Since there hasn't really been much new music in a while, I decided to take a chance and get this off itunes. And I'm really glad I did!
I didn't know much about this band, but I had heard the songs Breaking...
Flashlights (The Cullen Song) - Single
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eleventyseven When I learned eleventyseven, one of my favorite bands, was doing a song about Twilight, one of my favorite books, I was of course PUMPED for it. So it finally came out today and I bought it off amazon...
Adventures In Eville
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eleventyseven eleventyseven got lots of negative feedback when they released their debut back a few years ago. But in 2007 with "Galactic Conquest," they redeemed themselves, sporting a new electro-pop-rock sound. "Eville"...
Becca Live! | Posted August-18-2008
I was very surprised at the superb quality of this live recording. I wasn't much of a fan of Rebecca's last live mini-project, but this one kncoks it out of the park. The only downside to it is that it completely excludes anything from "Rebecca St. James," "God," or "Pray," and only includes one from "Worship God." That said, the majority are from "If I Had One Chance...". I would have loved to have a new version of "God," "Pray," "Speak To Me," "Abba," etc. The DVD is also amazing! I hope RSJ comes near me soon cause I want to see her live!!!
Jaci Velasquez | Posted August-18-2008
Although this is not as good as "Heavenly Place," Jaci's 2nd album has some real gems. Many thought this album would be the end of Jaci's career, after it only spawned a few singles (God So Loved, Glory, Look What Love Has Done) that were nowhere near as successful as "Heavenly Place"'s singles, with the exception of "God So Loved." Highlights include "God So Loved," the upbeat "Show You Love", the melodic "You," the funky "Child Of Mine" and the uber-catchy "Made My World."
A Heavenly Album! | Posted August-18-2008
This was one of my favorite cd's back when I was around 11 or 12. Even though it came out in 1996, it wasnt until around 2002 or so that I bought it. Many of the songs (On My Knees, If This World, Flower In The Rain, Un Lugar, We Can Make A Difference) I had already heard before on the radio. This is still one of Jaci's most strongest albums to date, as it reflects the best of what she's know for; whether it be her radio-friendly ballads (On My Knees), Latin influences (Un Lugar Celestial, Shelter Me), or her catchy pop tunes (If This World, We Can Make A Difference). However, this album isn't exactly perfect. Towards the end, the album seems to trail off, and the last 3 songs are a little bland compared to the songs before them. But it's still a solid album, and a great debut for one of CCM's most popular leading ladies.
Like Sunlight Burning To Midnight, Making My Life Something So Beautiful, Beautiful | Posted July-16-2008
OK, so I was assigned this album to review at JFH, so I've had it for about 3 1/2 weeks now. My personal favorites would be Free To Be Me, My Paper Heart, & Beautiful Beautiful. Here's the review I wrote for it:
20-year-old Francesca Battistelli is the newest addition to Fervent Records’s diverse roster of artists. With an evident passion for songwriting, “My Paper Heart” really shows the feelings and emotions of Miss Battistelli. The lyrics conveyed on the album avoid the typical “Christian clichés” that have marred so many recent CCM albums. Her piano-pop sound could be compared to the likes of Nichole Nordeman or Sara Groves, but Francesca’s music is significantly more light and upbeat than either. In the secular department, however, Sara Bareilles has a sound very similar to that of Francesca’s. For example, the bouncy, catchy first single, “I’m Letting Go,” has a rhythm pattern almost exactly like Bareilles’s hit, “Love Song.”
The album’s opener, “Free To Be Me,” is an upbeat, “He loves you just the way you are” style song, with a chorus declaring, “I’ve got a couple dents in my fender/Got a couple rips in my jeans…Perfection is my enemy/On my own I’m so clumsy/But on Your shoulders I can see/I’m free to be me…” The funky, organ-driven title track (think NewWorldSon), has a similar message, and serves as a 3-and-a-half minute autobiography for Francesca. Her soothing, raspy vocals get a real chance to shine on ballads like the powerful “Beautiful, Beautiful,” and the heartfelt “Behind The Scenes.” Francesca does black gospel with ease in the jazzy, churchy, “Blue Sky.”
However, towards the middle of the album, some of the songs start to run together, and the distinct sound established in the beginning doesn’t sound so original anymore. For example, “Forever Love,” begins as a soft, piano-laden song, but never gains momentum, and its overly repetitive chorus doesn’t help either.
Francesca Battistelli’s debut is unique with its organic, piano-fused pop sound through the majority. The album’s highlights leave a lasting impression on the listener, but there are some moments where a few songs are only average. Overall, the good outweighs the bad, and Francesca is one who is here to stay. Let’s just hope she has a bit more diversity in her next effort.
Just Another Marketing Gimmick.... | Posted June-26-2008
Hmmmmm...the best from the past 5 years????? How pointless is that? The songs on here are sure bets to be included, but they are also ones that are highly overplyed, and everyone is sick of by now. It seems like just something else to get money to the industry.
Stephanie is NOT AFRAID | Posted June-07-2008
After being pushed back many times, Stephanie's debut finally came out on May 27---but still, in digital-only format. I have been anxiously awaiting this album ever since last summer when Steph's first single "Superstar" impacted radio, and that excitement only increased in the late fall when "Not Afraid" released as a single as well. Then earlier this spring, "You Alone" and "Renew Me" started hitting airwaves too. With already 4 singles released before the album even came out, it's clear Stephanie had a lot of hype around her. And now, I can see why.
Taking evident influences from Krystal Meyers, Superchick, Everlife, etc., it's hard not to sound just like them, as recently in the case of miss Brooke Barrettsmith. But Stephanie uses those sources to bring out the best in her. Her voice has a naturally raw rock edge to it. At times, it sounds almost identical to Julia Ross (of Everlife), especially in the song "In My Eyes." And after just one album, Steph is right up there with her counterparts like Krystal Meyers. Stephanie is not afraid (no pun intended) to let loose and rock, like in "Not Afraid," "Beauty," "Waiting On You," "Get Up," and "Love Out Loud," but the album is not without its share of poppier tracks like "Superstar," "In My Eyes," "Over It," and "Renew Me," and also a few ballads pop up with "What If," "You Alone," and "1st Words." There's a little something for everyone on here.
Personal favorites are: the uber-catchy pop song "Renew Me"; the fist-pumping anthem "Love Out Loud"; the Everlife-ish "In My Eyes; and the ballads "What If" and "You Alone." The award for lyrics goes to "First Words," even though it's not the catchiest song on the album. This song recounts meeting her father for the first time at 14, and again at 19.
I Finally "Woke Up" To Bethany Dillon | Posted June-07-2008
Let me start off by saying, I'm not, and have never been, a hardcore BD fan. Although her voice and lyrics are very impressive, her music is just not my style. I liked her first album, but her 2nd album was too bland for me to get into. Over half of its songs were slow and it was just plain boring to me. So I took a chance and got this album anyway, and I am glad I did!
"Waking Up" is the more upbeat Bethany. The album has a lot more catchy hooks, and sing-out-loud moments than her previous ones. Regardless, her lyrics are better than ever, especially in the mellow closer, "On Our Side," and "Beggar's Heart."
Highlights include the upbeat "The Kingdom," in which Beth sings about a woman who can't get pregnant but really wants to, and her struggle with God; the catchy, guitar-laced "Change" and "Top of the World"; the love song "When You Love Someone"; the folky title track; and the contemporary "Let Your Light Shine."
I hope Bethany's next album keeps this upbeat tempo throughout, and doesn't fall back into boringness....
ehhhhhh | Posted June-07-2008
I was really looking forward to Brooke's debut. Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed. Although I like the style of pop/rock music she sings, it is all too familiar. "More Real" sounds like it could have easily been a b-side from Krystal Meyers' first album, with its soft rock style. "Quiet My Heart" is extremely Kelly Clarkson, while "Father" is likewise very Fireflight. While it's one of my favorite songs off the cd, "Quiet Streets" sounds VERY VERY VERY much like Krystal Meyers and Fireflight at the same time, with the message of BarlowGirl. It's not really a bad thing for myself, but she needs something more unique to stand out from the pack to really develop a lot of success. The thing I really like, though, is Brooke's voice. It has the angst of Krystal Meyers, the depth of Dawn Richardson, and the strength of Hayley Williams---like a perfect blend of all of them.
Hallelujah...They're Going To Kill Us Too | Posted May-29-2008
Just like several other reviewers below me, let me start off by saying that I am not a fan of true punk or harder rock. I'm more of a pop kind of guy, although I do like rockier bands like Fireflight, Skillet, and Flyleaf. In honesty, it really doesn't matter to me what kind of music it is...if it's catchy and gets stuck in my head, I like it. I'm a huge sucker for a catchy hook, whether it's good or not. And then came Children 18:3. I can honestly say EVERY SINGLE ONE of these songs have been stuck in my head at least once. I've had this cd for a little over 3 months and I know every word to every song, and it still gets played regularly in my cd player, even though I have bought about 5 or 6 more cds since then. I love the vocals, although Lee Marie's screaming is a bit overwhelming at times. The lyrics are so poetic and thought-provoking. I am still very confused about lyrics to "All My Balloons," "Final," and "LCM." But with all of the typical clichedness of today's Christian music, it was great to hear music that brought back true art in lyrics. Standout tracks are the ever-popular "All My Balloons," the uber-catchy "Homemade Valentine," the guitar-heavy "Final," and the short-but-sweet "Search Warrant."
Random comments:
-Why is the song called "LCM"? It sounds like a drug or something. Why not just name the song "Last Chance Marie"? If they can do it with this song, why not others? What about AMB, YKWASFOD, SW, ES, TAWB, etc.?
They Don't Quite Rock ALL They Got.... | Posted June-25-2008
I am actually kinda disappointed in all the bad reviews this album is getting. I personally LOVE this new "rock-o-tronic" sound. It's fresh and innovative, and it's something Superchick pulls off quite nicely. The album maintains the electronic sounds throughout the album, but mixes them with classic Superchick sounds and riffs. There are the more upbeat electric songs, (like the title track, Hey Hey, So Beautiful, and Alive); also guitar-heavy rock tracks (Cross The Line, One More); and its share of slower songs (Breathe, Crawl, Hold). The lyrics are also very crafty in the majority of RWYG, especially in "Alive" and "Cross The Line." My personal favorites on the album would be the very catchy, perfectly blended "Cross The Line", the odd-but-fun "Hey Hey," and the lyrical genius "Alive." I also like "Crawl," but it doesn't quite measure up to its full potential. It acts like it wants to be the next "Beauty From Pain," but just isn't as compelling.
Now for the negatives. The album only has 9 new tracks. The remaining 3 consists of an unnecessary "Alive Prelude," a pretty good remix of "Stand In The Rain", and a useless but intriguing "Guitar Hero" solo from Dave. The song "So Beautiful" would be the album's weakest track, with the lyrics being extremely similar to "Anthem"---nothing new here.
All in all, the album is short. But the new material presented here is superb, and is Superchick at its finest. I hope we don't have to wait 3 more years for the next album from Superchick.
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