Dreamers
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SHINEBRIGHT Shine Bright Baby, the best thing out of Orville, Ohio since Smuckers, is just one more example of why Brandon Ebel is the King Midas of the Christian Music industry. We have infectious pop tunes, a danceable...
Release The Panic (Deluxe Edition)
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RED I guess everybody is entitled to make a less than stellar album. It's just that some bands have gained an aura of invincibility. Red is one of those bands. Three albums, three "experiences"....
Rest
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Beckah Rest isthe title of the newest release by Dance artist extrordinaire Beckah Shae. Fans of Destiny might be at a loss for words here, though. Rest is...
Good as Gold | Posted January-23-2010
The latest release by Portland, OR based rockers Above the Golden State is both satisfying and disappointing at the same time. Satisfying, in that it is in fact a Christian Album, and if it were not for the rock music, one might think it's a modern worship release. That is refreshing to me, in that most Christian music these days seem to have been purged of Christianity. It's good to hear a group unashamed of the gospel "love your savior and your neighbor as yourself" just one line as an example.
Now to the disappointment. IT'S ONLY SIX SONGS. I may be the only one, but I am only lukewarm toward the recent trend to the EP. I really like the full 10 to 14 song CD. Maybe it's because I grew up with the Vinyl Album (kids, ask your parents), but even though bands tend to release more EPs a year, as opposed to 1 full album, I prefer a CD to an EP.
It is for that reason alone, (and the fact that it's only January), that I am holding back a half star and not putting this as one of the Best Releases of 2010. There is hope, as I consider Breaking the Silence by The Letter Black, also an EP, as one of my Top 10 of 2009. Only time will tell if it was a wise decision to "always leave them wanting more."
Live but not kicking | Posted November-22-2009
Jeremy Camp Live, the latest for the creed like worship crooner, should appeal to the legion of Campites, but to those not in that camp (sorry, I couldn't resist), there isn't much to set it apart from the others. Tonite is the radio favorite from the album. Personally I much prefer It is well, the studio worship selection from Kutless. It is much harder. Personally, the best live worship album is ardent worship Skillet:Live.
The album mixes styles, some creed like, others southern rock ala Third Day, otherwise typical alternative rock. Maybe its due to its 'worship album' niche, but Camp never seems to cut loose, and he does in a lot of the studio albums. The album sounds restrained and safe.
In my opinion, what this album needs is a distinctive, exotic, sound, maybe from somewhere like South Africa. Oh yeah, that's right that was the Benjamin Gate. Thanks Jeremy. Now that would get 5 stars from me. Benjamin Gate Live.
If you already love Jeremy Camp, you'll probably love this album. Anyone else should probably wait for the next studio release.
Canadian Smorgashbord | Posted September-26-2009
Canadian rock band Hawk Nelson's fourth release is, according to the band, their hardest release. Not being that familiar with the band, I can't confirm or deny that. I think though, that this must be the most eclectic album I have ever heard. From the use of Cheerleaders on the Opening Song (not so well done, if done at all, since Aleixa's I Could Murder), to the use of bagpipes (a redo of Tis So Sweet), to acoustic pop (The Final Toast), to songs written specially for a tour with skillet (Never Enough) to boy band (Shaken) to the extremely quirky Ode to Lord Stanley (only Canadians could pull that one off with a straight face.)
Live Life loud is a fun album, but hard to peg. Give it a shot.
Beloved from the start | Posted September-21-2009
Beloved, the Debut release from Lara Landon, is, like most beloved things, a thing of beauty. This release is all about the vocals, and Lara's voice is showcased here with minimal embellishment. Most of the songs here are piano centric with strings. Her voice, delicate yet powerful reminds me a lot of Tiffany Arbuckle Lee (aka Plumb), and some songs have an Iona feel. Great pluses in my book. Her range is best showcased on songs such as I Believe, For You Lord and Lift Me Up.
For a Debut, Beloved is great. It isn't perfect, but most debut albums aren't. I look forward to hearing great things from this talented vocalist in the future.
Church Music for the Living | Posted September-21-2009
I must confess to knowing little of DCB. I've heard a few songs, enough to know that they are a Modern Worship style band, pretty basic rock and roll. Good music, but my expectations were sort of low. I pity the grandma that is going to pick up this CD based on the title. Church Music Indeed, only if your church happens to be a dance club.
Church Music finds the David Crowder Band at their best with a Techno/Electronica/Dance masterpiece. If that scares you, this album isn't for you. I'm sure the Oak Ridge boys would love your business. I L-O-V-E this Album. This is 17 Cuts! of Dance Worship. From Phos Hilaron to In The End this album barely takes a breath. My Favorites are The Nearness, Shadows, The Veil, How He Loves and the British Sounding Oh Happiness. Bad Songs. I know of none. A Hard Review to write, only because it's very hard to type while you're dancing.
Church Music makes my very short list of Perfect Albums (There are under 10). Sorry Hawk Nelson (Boo NRT for pulling DCB's stream early), but if you want to Live Life Loud, you'll get Church Music.
Confessions are good for the soul | Posted September-12-2009
Confessions, the sixth studio release from Hard Rockers Pillar is going to disappoint a lot of the faithful while gathering them a brand new legion of fans. First of all the style is reminiscent of Red's Innocence and Instinct, not surprising since Red's producer, Rob Graves, produced the album. This could go either way with me, since I love Red.
More disappointing to me is the overall "pop" sound to the songs on the album. Granted, I was introduced to Pillar via Fireproof, so I miss Rob Beckley's Rapcore Style and Militant lyrics. (Echelon and Indivisible for example).
On the Other hand, I must confess to be a sucker for strings, so the string heavy ballads Will you be there and Better off Now are among my favorites, as is The Fight Inside clone Whatever it Takes.
Of the three Hard Music summer releases (Skillet, TFK, and Pillar) Confessions was deemed by various posters as the Weakest release. After listening to the stream, I have to say, it grows on you. I think you'll agree, Pillar is better off now.
Proud to Suffer from Stockholm Sydrome | Posted September-06-2009
How do you review an indescribable album. In a word, Stockholm Syndrome, the latest from is eclectic. Its not exactly Christian, yet it is. It's not exactly a political folk album, yet it is. It's not an easy listen, yet the songs go by quickly. The album is a contradiction of sorts. Most of the songs on the album are cryptic in a way only Starflyer 59 meets Joy Electric could begin to describe. There is no middle ground on this album, you will either love it or hate it, and there is not one song on the album suitable for airplay on Christian Radio. (I dare them to play Freddie, please.) Even Heaven, the most "Christian" song, would raise a holy stink, with its reference to Jesus in a bulletproof car.
As a former college DJ, I am well aware of mainstream bands embraced by the Christian Community (does U2 or Creed ring a bell, anyone?). I would gladly play Stockholm Syndrome on the air on a Christian Radio station, though it would be my first and last day on the air if I did. That said, I throw down a challenge. If you can make a case for the political, social, religious overtoned though not overtly Christian Stockholm Syndrome is a "Christian Album", explain to me why the emotional, haunting, dark, spiritual tones of Amy Lee (aka Evanescence) are not.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Stockholm syndrome will not appeal to every ear, but those who expect more from their music will love this album. I know I do.
Stop and Listen to Bethany Dillon | Posted September-06-2009
Stop and Listen, the fifth album by Bethany Dillon opens with the Randy Stonehill influenced Get Up and Walk and, for the next ten cuts, continues in the same vein to be an enjoyable, flowing, Adult Contemporary CCM album.
The album has an easy listening, folksy feel to it, which makes it a quick listen, and is just hard enough to interest this reviewer. My folk tastes are more in the vein of Caedmon's Call, Jennifer Knapp, or Carolina Story than Bethany Dillon, yet I give this album an enthusiastic four stars.
Searchlights: A Rockin Debut | Posted August-27-2009
Searchlights, the full length debut for Abandon, gets off to a Rocking Start with the "title" cut, Hold On, a song I think I must have heard a million times on secular radio, because when I thought I heard it the first time on the preview I thought, "I've heard this song before, but where?" The spiritually themed songs may put the band into the Modern Worship circle of Leeland but, unlike the former, Abandon contains a mix of Rock (Hold On, Providence) and Mellow (Here we are now, Atmosphere) that make for good listening. For me nothing kills an albums enjoyment than monotony, and Searchlights passes that bar.
All in all a very good debut. I think you will not be quick to Abandon this CD easily and they should have a good long stay in the searchlights.
No more tears | Posted August-22-2009
An opening Caveat. This reviewers tastes skew to the Hard Music side of the CCM Spectrum. That being said I can enjoy Modern Worship from Time to time. Like most casual listeners, I was first introduced to Leeland through the anthem Tears of the Saints, and I filter the album through that. I am severely disappointed. I give the album 2.5 stars because, while there is nothing terribly wrong with the album, there is nothing right about it either. In CCM's most crowded pond, where every church and their worship team feel compelled to release an album (though ultimately dominated by Hillsong Church), Leeland's Love is on the move is lost in the middle of the pond. There are twelve songs, and the CD is currently streaming at hearitfirst.com/leeland. One song blends into another, and none sticks in your mind. That is sad, since I can spontaneously start humming tears of the saints at times, and it still resides in my iTunes library.
If you're looking for a good modern worship album, move past love is on the move and pick up Hillsong United's A Cross the Earth: Tear Down the Walls instead. You won't be disappointed.
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