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Holy Mystery (Single) by Conley Worship Holy Mystery (Single) by Conley Worship
Conley Worship is the collective formed by Maryland-based worship leader David Conley. The Liberty University graduate just released "Holy Mystery" as the firstfruits of the upcoming album, Are...
New Life x New Vibe (Single) by Red Letter Hymnal New Life x New Vibe (Single) by Red Letter Hymnal
Red Letter Hymnal got its start doing Christian Dubstep/EDM covers of worship songs, garnering more than a million views each on videos for "One Thing Remains" and "God's Not Dead."...
Me Against the World: Vol. 2 by 5ive Me Against the World: Vol. 2 by 5ive
Rapper 5ive, also known as Craig James, has a pretty incredible, radical conversion story of how Jesus met him in a huge way and instantly ended his addictions. Since then, he's been sold-out to God,...

This Song is Burnin' Up! | Posted January-10-2018
Maddie Rey first jumped on our radar two and a half years ago when she released her debut album, Overflow. But it doesn't take much digging to discover that the 19-year-old urban pop artist is a force of nature. 



The pastor's daughter has been busy the last few years, touring, songwriting, starring in her eponymous online TV show, and releasing singles. In 2016, we heard club track "Heart in the Air." And last year, we got a dose of fun song "Cruizin." Now, she's starting 2018 with some "Fire," cementing herself as a performer that brings a flavor all her own to Christian music.



The second verse of this song quickly gives listeners insight as to Maddie's goal as an artist: "I'm not a rockstar, not into the smoke and fire, I'm just tryna' keep the fire burning / If you really want to see the flames, put your hands up."



Furthermore, she adds in the bridge: "It's not a performance / It's not about me / It's about a generation coming to the King." She delivers these words with soaring choruses, rapped/reggaeton-style verses, and even some distorted megaphone effects sprinkled throughout.



Great lyrics, but what's even better is that we're hearing some production/instrumentation choices that are arena-worthy. Maddie isn't afraid to go big; what we hear immediately grabs me as a female-fronted Diverse City kind of vibe. 



Musically speaking, a drumkit and crunching guitars give this track a decidedly more rock vibe than other recent Maddie Rey music, but there's still plenty of drum machine and synth to carry the song. 

 

This is the kind of song I want to see performed live, because I can already picture its bigness, with a full band, background dancers and everything. And as top-notch as it sounds, and as much swagger as there is in the overall vibe, there's no question the song's overall intent, which is to glorify God. 

 

Seems to me that's exactly what we all want out of Christian music.

 

Bottom Line:

"Fire" by Maddie Rey is a lot of fun, merging many different styles and genres to create a banger of a song whose message is that the real attraction here is the power of God. I'm excited to see this latest step in Maddie Rey's development, and eagerly await more new music!



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Take a Victory Lap | Posted December-19-2017
The past year was one where worship music took quantum leaps into a number of different genres, including urban, pop, rock and, perhaps most notably, electronic music. Originally pioneered by a wave of Australian churches--Hillsong and Planetshakers were at the forefront--2017 saw an explosion of worship movements embracing EDM as the vehicle for delivering its vertically oriented lyrics. 



While some albums seemed to be formulaic--copying the genre frontrunners or the chart-topping DJs of the mainstream--it's pretty refreshing when something jumps out and surprises me. The incredibly artful and polished sounds of Portland, Oregon's Horizon Music do just that with their excellent debut, Victory. 



The first place I have to comment is on the incredible production. Rather than seeking to replicate existing tastemakers, Horizon is making a taste of its own with the help of Northwest power-producer Dave Lubben--employing inventive arrangements and unpredictable patches to create a soundscape that is all their own. 



Vocally, the band is at the top of their game. The five different worship leaders on the record offer different styles, steering away from the classic worship leader sound while, while not venturing all the way over to the sit-and-watch singer-songwriter vibe. They, and the songs themselves, are artfully inviting. 



Lyrically speaking, there's no guessing as to what Victory is all about--Jesus' current victory in our lives and ultimate victory over sin and the grave. While Pastor Stan Russell ties it in a nice little bow with a spoken-word track "Basic," the Gospel is all over the record. 



There are three big themes of the record: God's triumph, our need of Him and our desire to share about Him. 



Highlights include the reflective and worshipful "Glory," the pulse-pounding and evangelically themed "Tell The World," the rhythmically fantastic "Waterfall" and the '80s-infused testimonial song, "Kindness."



The Bottom Line:

Look, it would take a lot of reading that people simply won't do to go into each of these very strong songs and talk about their ingeniously nuanced musical choices, their strong and overt lyrics and powerhouse vocals. Many times, the challenge in these reviews is finding a few songs to focus on. The problem here is that there's SO MUCH GOOD happening here, it's hard to pinpoint. How about this: Just listen to it. 



At a time when worship music is inundating our ears from every direction, take special time to listen to Victory by Horizon Music. At a time when there are two camps of worship music--congregational, singable music, and reflective, meditative songs--and two camps of arrangement--raw instruments and over-produced, chipmunk-chirping EDM--it's nice to find a project that finds the radical middle, and by doing so, creates something new altogether. 



Song to Download:

"Kindness" (Get it on iTunes here)



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The Beauty of Simplicity | Posted October-25-2017
Ian McGlynn has been making music for years as a solo artist, but something special happened when he started writing songs with his wife, Lisa. Pairing Ian's musical prowess with Lisa's congregational mindset has resulted in the new EP from the pair, known as Thine Worship, titled Tread Upon the Heights



While the pair has written a number of songs together, they said they chose to bundle these three together, because they were written in the midst of a difficult time in their lives, and all carried a complete message. That message is that regardless of circumstances, we can rest in the power and glory of God. 



All three tracks, while well-produced, are simply produced. Instrumentation is largely piano driven, with complementary elements of light synth pad, acoustic guitar, kick drum, tambourine, and even a little electric guitar. Thine Worship gives the songs the ability to breathe instrumentally, with lots of musical "white space," and yet they take a back seat to deliver Ian's standout vocals and the couple's lyrics. 



Fans of early 2000s band Telecast will find much to love with these three songs, as they find a space between the crimson edge of artful, chilled out Britpop and the approachable appeal of congregational worship music. 



The record opens with the beautiful, honest lyrics, "Fear and doubt are rising, surrounded by uncertainty on the shores of disbelief." The answer to that, as provided on "Before the Mercy Seat," is resting in God's power: "You are God the Sovereign Lord, You are God the Eternal King / You redeem, You will restore, forevermore.



The declarative expression runs throughout the record, as "All Glory is Yours" reads like a Psalm, talking about how God's creation and involvement in our lives bring us to a place of worship and awe. 



EP closer "Even If" is the highlight of this project, referencing Habakkuk 3:17, talking about how no matter what disasters may come, the Lord is "my strength, my bravery, my joy, my victory." Written with a hymnlike structure, this one has the most widespread potential, and hearkens back to some of the great hymns of old, while maintaining a modern flair. The bridge concludes with this triumphant summary: "You make me able to tread upon the heights / You make me walk on the mountains."



The Bottom Line:

For their first national introduction to the greater Christian music world, Thine Worship has put together a confident, heartfelt and quality musical effort. In a year where worship has dominated the Christian music landscape, it's refreshing to hear something that doesn't follow the typical formulas; this does just that. We're hearing a lot of dance-pop worship and introspective, deep, reflective worship, so it's extremely edifying to come across an album that offers another alternative: declarative praise to God. 



For Fans Of:

Telecast, Josh White, Remedy Drive, Stu G



Song to Download Now:

"Even If" (iTunes / Spotify)



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One of the most underrated songs of the year | Posted October-18-2017
Joel Buckner, one of the worship leaders at National Community Church in the Washington, D.C. area, has released a modern hymn with his new single, "Sanctuary."



The worship leader, who has ministered in a number of different cultural, liturgical and stylistic environments, has parlayed his varied experience into creating a song that, at once, carries elements of modern worship, classic hymns and gospel. 



Musically speaking, the arrangement and instrumentation are fairly simple, with electric guitar elements supporting acoustic guitar, piano and drums (as well as some super subtle synth pad). Instead, the words and the controlled but passionate vocals drive the song. 



Thematically, the song is one of devotion, expressing Buckner's undeniable desire and commitment to worshipping the One created him and saved him. The first verse talks about how as His creations, we were made to praise: "We were created in your image / Made in the likeness of who you are / We're joined with the angels and all of creation / Singing as one to praise you, God.



The second verse talks about how God's love is present in every age, and how "We will respond with hearts abandoned / Releasing praise to your great name.



I particularly love the repeated bridge that builds in intensity and power: "Every breath, every step I'll pour out / On an altar of praise my life is found.



We get hints of Buckner's full range and power, which he largely keeps under wraps, save for a few moments surrounding the bridge when he flies around vocally for a second, before getting back to the melody--further evidence that Buckner is far more interested in having the congregation sing along than to have them admire his obvious vocal prowess. It takes a lot of humility and a ministry focus to take that position. 



The Bottom Line:

"Sanctuary" is probably one of the most underrated worship songs of the year, as it is a clear winner in all phases of its production, and has the ability to be a song that transcends many barriers between churches. 



Get "Sanctuary" on iTunes or listen to it on Spotify





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Authentic. Sincere. Country. | Posted October-18-2017
Slide guitars, piano, organ, mandolin and good old fashioned storytelling--that's what you'll get from the classic country sounds brought to you by Debbie Cochran on her latest project, Born Again Wildflower



The highlight of the project of course is the ambling duet with the one and only Dolly Parton on the title track, "Born Again Wildflower." It's fitting that the country legend would be on this record, as Cochran's record reflects faith-filled lyrics that embody the old guard of country music--evoking sounds of Tanya Tucker, early Reba McEntire, and yes, Parton. 



Lyrically, Cochran uses this title track to talk about how the life of faith has led to a life of joy-filled risk: "I'm a born again wildflower / Dancing in April showers / Oh God, you rock my world when I rock my boat."



The record is full of ballads that are good for slow dancing, quiet reflection, and long sits on Cracker Barrel rocking chairs on the front porch. From the reflective and autobiographical "Bouquet of Roses" to the prescriptive "Pray It All Away" to the can't-we-all-just-get-along vibe to "Soak Up the Son," Cochran uses easygoing melodies and instrumentation to get across the things that are on her heart. 



She deploys plenty of good one-liners throughout the record, with some of those even taking place in the song titles, such as "Crown of Thorns Grows Pretty Roses." Other lyrical gems include: "Red letters falling from the sky / Teaching me how to live and die" ("Red Letters Falling From the Sky") and "Soak up the son and drink the living water / Catch a second wind, look up and grow stronger" ("Soak Up the Son").



The honky-tonk "Lord Did I Miss the Rapture" is a definite highlight, on par with the Parton duet. It's a lighthearted song about some pretty heavy subject matter: the troubles facing the world. Cochran does a great job talking about how she's "sifting through the weeds," looking for "the seeds to greener pastures" amidst the craziness of the how "everyone's at each other's throats." Again, serious subject matter, but she deals with it so entertainingly!



The Bottom Line:

For fans of Southern Gospel or country music--particularly classic country music--Debbie Cochran's Born Again Wildflower will be just what the doctor ordered. At a time where Christian country music is hard to find, yet country music sounds more like mainstream pop every day, there's a certain authenticity and sincerity that comes with the musical, lyrical and production delivery of this record. If the stamp of approval by the titanic icon Parton isn't enough for you, a simple listen to this project will show you Cochran is filling a void many people didn't know existed in music today, and does so with peaceful ease. 



Song to Download Now:

“Lord Did I Miss the Rapture” (Apple Music / Spotify)

 

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No Pretense with 'Transparency' | Posted October-03-2017
"Gonna blow the lid right off of this," is how Terrance McCoy introduces himself to us on the first track of his first album, Transparency. And he goes on to do just that. 



With the independent release of this project, Terrance McCoy lets us experience God's goodness in his life. The pop/rock singer-songwriter endured loss, abuse, addictions and hopelessness before God's redemption powerfully and radically rescued him. What we hear from the Louisiana native is 8 tracks that both confront and process his past, while giving God the glory for His rescue. 



Styles abound on this project, ranging from Southern bayou rock to contemporary pop to dance rock to vertical worship. I found myself going back in time, listening to the earlier works of CCM powerhouses Steven Curtis Chapman and Geoff Moore, with some classic rock and even a bit of Neil Diamond thrown in. Some songs deploy instruments like slide guitar and electric piano, while others deploy synth elements and even a choir.



Thematically, there are many beautiful moments, driven by McCoy's powerful story. McCoy includes definite recurring word pictures of God never leaving his side. "With Me Always" is an uptempo, danceable track that declares, "I could lose everything, Your love would still remain." The song "I Am Yours" has a bit of a nightclub crooner kind of feel, with the jazzy, erratic vocal rhythms and chord structure, but sings out, "I have no doubt when I call you're going to be around."



There's also a fair number of the youth group anthem-type songs, the big arena ones you want everyone singing together in unity, such as album highlight "Put A Little Love In It," which talks about doing the "little things" in life to make the world better, and "Boxed," which crowds could easily unite in singing, "My mind... my heart... my love will not be boxed in / I will not be boxed." Similarly, "We Dance" declares how we dance to the songs God is singing.



"So Close", "Dwell" and "Burn" are all intimate depictions of McCoy's relationship with God. On "So Close," he declares that he feels near to God. On "Dwell," he asks God to make his heart his home, and on "Burn" he repeatedly uses fire references inviting God to consume him. 



The Bottom Line:

Terrance McCoy is a heartfelt songster whose passion for his lyrics and themes comes through on this appropriately titled album, Transparency. He fills a unique niche in Christian music by making fresh, new songs that carry with them the indisputable DNA of contemporary music days gone by.



Fans of 1990s-era Steven Curtis Chapman and Geoff Moore will breathe a huge sigh of relief here, while today's fans will come in contact with a distinct voice and style that is very different from what they're hearing on radio. He delivers something unique, plain and simple. It would be interesting to hear Terrance stay in his upper register, delivering some epic rock ballads and shredding singles, as I think it would better suit his voice, but for people longing for the heart-on-your-sleeve, transparent Christian pop/rock of the past, there will be lots to love here. 



Song to Download Now:

"Put A Little Love In It" (iTunes / Spotify)

 

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Back to the Future with Hope | Posted September-06-2017
For many X-ennials--folks like me in that mini-generation sandwiched between the Gen Xers and the Millennials--our childhood featured many hours staring at the TV as the cast of The New Mickey Mouse Club sang, acted and danced their way into our hearts. 



While names like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and others have made their marks in the music world (and beyond), Jennifer McGill--one of the longest-running cast members of that now-defunct show--has emerged with a message more than 20 years in the making, via her first full-length album, Unbreakable



As her Mickey Mouse Club colleagues went on to make music, McGill went to college, and then saw a pending record deal disintegrate as label execs criticized her look and general package. And the sudden death of McGill's mother only added to an already heartbreaking state. 



That rejection and loss were crushing, but McGill says God picked her up and reminded her of her priceless worth. Now, she wants to share that message, and does so with 11 tracks that hammer home themes of value and victory.



The project, produced in part by GRAMMY Award winning producer Jeff Savage--a guy who has produced albums or remixes for TobyMac, Rachael Lampa, Avalon, Jars of Clay and others--is a rare time capsule of 1990s-inspired power anthems and power ballads that tell the story of how McGill found her way out of the jail cell of comparison, rejection, and defeat. 



There's plenty of modernity on this record, although even the most cutting-edge synth elements and dubstep-like bass crunching plays second fiddle to the atmospheric guitar wails, orchestra hits and overall song structure that gives more than a tip of the hat to the era during which McGill was on our televisions. 



Her own vocals lean this way, too, as fans of admittedly very different singers from different genres and eras--Pat Benatar, Jennifer Nettles, Reba McEntire, Ann Wilson of Heart and Bonnie Tyler--will find shades of those artists in McGill's sounds. She has a powerhouse alto resonance that allows listeners to be shocked by some of the high notes she hits throughout the album. 



Essentially, Unbreakable offers up two different looks: Power anthems and power ballads. The first group gives McGill ample runway to blast her message of "you have the victory" and "we win" with uptempo firepower, on the songs "Unbreakable", "Look in the Mirror", "Moment of Truth", "Fearless", "Firestarter", and "Battle Is On." 



With the power ballads, we get a softer side of McGill, as these introspective, emotional songs communicate messages of healing, acceptance, and lessons learned. These vibes show up with "What Are You Waiting For", "What I Know Now", "Armor", "Hanging on for Dear Life" and "Abandoned." These songs carry the kind of heartfelt, cinematic gravitas that Celine Dion's songs had in their heyday, and it's easy to tell McGill means what she sings. 



Album highlights include opening/title track "Unbreakable"--a punch-in-the-face, high octane number that declares how the undefeatable power of love makes us, well, unbreakable. The lovingly delivered ballad, "What I Know Now," plays out like a mother singing to her daughter, telling her lessons about inner strength and beauty. The battle anthem, "Firestarter," is perhaps the most modern and urban-tinged track on the project, and despite some fairly predictable rhymes, is a fun, raise-your-fist-in-the-air kind of tune that speaks to McGill's desire to spread her message like fire. 



The deluxe version offers a number of worship songs, which aren't as out of place as that may seem. The five tracks are important to bring context and closure to this concept of overcoming and worth. Standout tracks in this section include McGill's ambling, soulful take on "Break Every Chain", her soaring rendition of Planetshakers' "Limitless," and her treatment of Darlene Zschech's underrated song, "Victor's Crown"--a song I didn't think could be more powerful, but McGill's vocals proved me wrong. Here in this closing, we get to know McGill the worship leader, and I'm glad for it. 



The Bottom Line: 

For her first real rodeo in the recording world, it's pretty exciting to see what McGill has come up with. An album that started out as a concept for a musical aimed at tween/teen girls has become a deeply personal and cinematic musical ode to the 1990s that presents a much-needed message. If you're looking for the next big thing musically, you might not find it here, as McGill and her team have crafted something all their own--a throwback vibe in modern clothes. It's a look at the past through today's lenses, much like the lyrical content of Unbreakable itself. 



Songs to Download Now:

"What I Know Now" (Get it on iTunes here.)

"Victor's Crown" (Get it on iTunes here.)



 

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Of Light and Shadows | Posted August-04-2017
In 2013, during their first year as a band, Maine's Chasing The Light played an atypical 56 shows, and their rise has been steady ever since. Made up of brothers Abraham and Jonathan Stephens, as well as Nathaniel DeLeon and Aaron O'Neil, Chasing The Light has played to crowds large and small, from intimate venues to massive, 20,000-person festivals. 



Four years into this, the band has released its five-track EP, titled Horizons--a collection of songs about faith, hope, focus and the conflict between "chasing the light" and shadows. 



The band clearly shows that its musicality--certainly helped by excellent production--is the product of band members well-versed in the pop/rock arts. Citing influences such as Switchfoot, The Killers, Coldplay and Mat Kearney (who himself had an album titled Chasing The Light), Shadows reflects an accessibility that matches many of today's big-name Christian acts. 



References to light abound on this EP, from the energetic opener, "Spark," that cries out to God for a spark of hope in a dark and fearful world. With "One Chance," lights become a distraction, as in the bright lights of stardom, whereby the band declares its intention to keep their eyes on Jesus. 



"Strength" prays, "turn my night into the day," while the closer "My Love" declares, "And after everything, I can finally see." Lyrically, while there's certainly room to grow, the band finds some good moments with unexpected vocal phrasing and unpredictable themes.



The album highlight for me is "You," the one overtly worshipful, vertical track on the project. In a period of musical history deluged with worship music, this still feels right. It's somewhat intangible, but in this song, we get a deeper sense of the heart of this band.



Musically speaking, there's a lot to love. Throughout the record, Chasing The Light doesn't fall into the typical trap of deploying the hottest musical trends, instead opting for a more timeless approach. Mixing piano, acoustic and electric guitars, and the light touches of synth, Horizons carries instrumentalism that is at once fresh and not easily dated. And they definitely get the benefits of well-placed guitar/piano/synth riffs in their songs. 



Christian music fans will find shades of their favorite bands in Chasing The Light. "Spark" gave us all the feels as it invoked vibes of the MIA band Everfound. "One Chance" carried tones of a triumphant Matt Hammitt/Sanctus Real jam. "Strength" is driving and high-powered, like the aforementioned band The Killers, but perhaps even more like Anberlin. Things chill out at the end, with The City Harmonic-style piano balladry "You" and the harmony-rich, NEEDTOBREATHE-like "My Love."



The Bottom Line:

Chasing The Light presents the poise and production of industry veterans, and with Horizons, they've given Christian music fans five songs that will sound familiar but fresh. With just a few songs, they've shown a diversity of sound, focus and prose, while somehow tying it all together. They're a few co-writes away from achieving A-list status in the industry, and we can't wait to see what comes next. 



Check This Song Out First:

"You" 

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Definitely Winning It | Posted July-31-2017
With the collection of songs, titled In It To Win It (listen here on Spotify), we're not taking a look at an album, but rather a collection of the best songs penned by the very talented, multifaceted artist Chris Cron.



Cron is by no means a newcomer to music, as he fronted the now-defunct Warner Bros.-signed pop/rock band Melee--an outfit that traveled the globe and had a sizeable overseas following. When that band dissolved, Cron faced a profound crisis of identity as he sought to regain equilibrium in a post-Melee era. 



With the In It To Win It collection, we are treated to a number of strong vocal performances by Cron, yes, but beyond that, we're given a tour of his lyrical prowess, his pop/rock mastery, and his spiritual development. 



His time in Melee gets some exposure in this collection. The song that's arguably the band's best, "Built to Last," uses guitars and piano to fuel Cron's voice as he praises a rock-steady romantic relationship. "Drive Away" has an early 2000s pop/rock vibe that delivers a story about a wayward love drawing an unsuspecting beau into ruin. Final track, "For A Lifetime," is an Ecclesiastes-type of reflection on the futilities of life, and despite that heavy subject material, has a happy-go-lucky piano-pop vibe. It also foreshadowed the deeper subject matter Cron would dive into later into his career. 



That subject matter these days is about the fallout of the Melee days, from resolving to be a better husband ("In It To Win It" and "Never Tear Us Apart"), to grappling with the fallout of a friendship that ended unexpectedly ("Atlas"), to making the massive decision to leave Orange County for a new life in Nashville ("I'll Stand"). 



Vocally, Cron soars on "Never Tear Us Apart," which has an old soul/R&B feel to it. He has a hopeful tone on "I'll Stand" and a fragile vibe on "In It To Win It" and "Atlas." Production-wise, the singles run the gamut from big and full ("Never Tear Us Apart") to the completely stripped down ("Atlas"), and "In It To Win It" has a fun Casio-keyboard demo feel for its background--feeling fun and accessible, rather than pedestrian. In any environment, Cron adjusts his vocals to fit the musical landscape, being something of a chameleon and a shark at the same time--blending in, but showing unquestionable assertiveness. 



We get a different view of Cron as a songwriter--and a versatile one at that--through the five tracks in the collection that he penned for other artists. He proudly showcases two tracks from Kerrie Roberts' first pop-worship record, the ebullient Boundless, released earlier this year. The David Thulin Radio Mix of "True North" is a strong enough offering that Cron thought it deserving of Track 2 status on the collection. Lyrically speaking, "True North" is about declaring how in an uncertain world, God gives our lives direction--a theme no doubt powerful to Cron in his spiritual development. 



The similarly themed "Rooted," uses simple piano--Cron's weapon of choice--to deliver Roberts' passionate vocals, as well as lyrical imagery about coming out of tough times into brighter days--something that's definitely a part of Cron's story. While we aren't sure if Cron himself wrote this particular line--he co-wrote the song with Roberts and Justin Morgan--it speaks to Cron's story of redefining his identity and purpose in God: "You lift these broken branches / Graft me into the vine / Oh God of second chances / I know You're leading me into harvest time.



We can't forget chart-topper Joel Vaughn's song "If I Trust In You," which Cron helped write. "Can I give, You, the rest of my life, the best that I am, the sacrifice? Can I give You the last of my doubts? Will my faith hold up, or will it drop out?" These questions, as well as the central question about whether God will hold up those who trust in Him, reflects an honest faith journey Vaughn and Cron share. The melody (as well as the prominent piano), follows Cron's general vibe.



Perhaps the biggest stylistic surprise of this collection is the inclusion of "Here He Comes" by Joseph Habedank, but although Southern Gospel seems a far cry from Cron's steady diet of Brit-style piano pop, it's what has taken most of the artist's time post-Melee. He is a songwriter for Daywind Records, one of Gospel music's most prominent labels, and has worked with the big-name Habedank and others. "Here He Comes" has a cinematic, apocalyptic, symphonic production vibe to it, but beneath the frills is a lyrical cleverness that is vintage Cron. The only thing missing is a piano. Also, don't miss Cron's contribution to Long Hollow Wave's All For You album with "This is Love," another show of Cron's versatility. 



The Bottom Line:

Chris Cron is one of the best-kept singer-songwriter secrets in music, period, and his participation in the Christian music industry provides it with a definitive creative boost. Whether it's his strong, unique singles or his contributions to powerhouse artists in the genre, Cron contributes catchy hooks and thoughtful prose about life, love and faith, as seen in the In It To Win It collection. 



Song to Download Now:

"I'll Stand" (But just listen to the whole collection here.)



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Getting to Know Kevin Max | Posted June-29-2017
Here's the truth: Kevin Max is back. Since becoming a solo artist 15 years ago, he's had an on-again, off-again relationship with the Christian music world. The various twists and turns of his own musical and spiritual pursuits have seen one of our industry's most iconic voices fade in and out of the ecosystem, but now, he says, God has moved powerfully in his heart, and he's coming home to Christian music. 



That's not to say that Kevin Max is going to conform to the musical, lyrical and genre norms of the industry--no, no, no. Max is, and always will be, an artist. He's pursuing that elusive white whale of songs that are universally accessible and personally honest. And he does it with seismic vibrato and unmatched poetic flair, like he always has. 



With the Serve Somebody EP, Max's first offering of 2017 (a new single, "Plans," hit radio shortly afterward, hinting at more music to come) we experience Max's artistry not through his own original prose, but by seeing his story through the lens of the songs he's chosen to cover.



The eight-song EP (seven songs, if you take into account that one song has two different treatments) is a buffet of songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s--inside and outside the Christian music world.



Maybe it's the fact that I just finished Season 1 of Stranger Things, but I think by paying attention to these songs' messages, we can get a State of the Union of sorts with regard to the sovereign nation of Kevin Max. 



Album opener "Let the Day Begin" (originally performed by The Call) is a dedication page of sorts, with Max singing out that the music is for everyone to hear, accompanied by soaring electric guitars that give us a taste of what might've been with Audio Adrenaline, and what kind of was with songs like "Jump Start My Electric Heart." 



That flows into Mister Mister's "Kyrie," which, translated from its Latin, communicates "Lord, have mercy on the road that I must travel." The line, "Somewhere between the soul and soft machine is where I find myself again," seems to communicate a lot about Max's pursuit of spiritual fruit, lyrical honesty and musical transcendence. Max's voice flies here and is strong as ever, although I would've loved to have seen him go off the script a little more.



The cover of U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)" gives a list of people who gave everything for the sake of love. And after asking for mercy, Max (doing a fairly solid Bono impression, actually) communicates with this song that love requires sacrifice--something he's prepared to do. 



The first song from the CCM sphere then comes into play, with Ragamuffin Rich Mullins' "Creed"--a song that definitively expresses what Mullins, Max and millions of believers hold true, values and beliefs that unite the Christian family. Max is saying, "This is what I believe." While it may not be an exact match stylistically for Max's voice (his voice is naturally far too big for it), it's an important statement piece for him and for this record. 



The next two tracks, "Gotta Serve Somebody" (originally performed by Bob Dylan) and album highlight "Righteous Rocker" (Larry Norman) have similar messages, saying that no matter what you do, you're serving someone, and no matter who you are, without love you're nothing (even if you're serving the right someone). This is also an important expansion on what Max believes at this point in his faith walk: Serve Jesus, but when you do, you'd better have love.



There's two different versions of "Gotta Serve Somebody," and it's safe to say they're equally good, although people's musical preferences will tip the scales. As for me, I enjoy the funky, piano groove-driven, gospel edge of the "Special Roll Mix." Rockers will indeed love the "RockN Mix," which finishes out the album.



Finally, we're treated to a Kevin Max-only cover of "Red Letters," from dcTalk's final(?) album, Supernatural, where we hear, "Heed the words divinely spoken / May your restless heart be broken / Let the supernatural take hold." These lyrics are, no doubt, very present to the work being done in Max's heart, but we're also hoping this all means that his future lies at least partly with his old band (whose voices I did miss in this rendition). 



Bottom Line: 

With Serve Somebody, it's almost as if Kevin Max is coming up for air from the deep waters of his musical pursuits to give us a little glimpse into what God has done/is doing in his heart. The musical production is top notch, his band is killer, and his vocals strong as ever. When the songs work, they really work, and the EP is an enjoyable listen. When a couple of the songs don't necessarily fire on all cylinders, you're able to understand that there's something important being said here--and maybe for the first time, through others' songs, out of the symbolic gymnastics of his own works, we're at last getting inside the mind and heart of Kevin Max. 



Song to Download:

"Righteous Rocker" 

 

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