The InBetween
by
Scarlet White Black or white. Hot and cold. Good and evil. Dead or Alive. Extremes on continuums. And in-between? An infinite series of points on the scale. Something that seems to define Scarlet White....
If the internet era has bequeathed artists anything, it is the ability to find and grow an audience, and from there attract notice from the music industry. The independent musical landscape is...
Silverline follows up their 2009 VSR Ep with their sophomore set: Voices in the Night. Continuing where they left off, the band delivers eight high energy modern rockers that impressively show off the band’s highly developed musical capabilities, lyrical depth and spiritual shrewdness.
The band’s songs easily reveal candid Biblical allusions and an unconcealed Christian worldview without a trace of triteness or resorting to well-worn cliché. Silverline's musicians mesh tightly, producing polished and eminently re-playable tunes.
Fans of modern rock acts Capital Lights, Nevertheless, Run Kid Run,Stellar Kart & Thousand Foot Krutch/ FM Static, as well as label mates Ember & Ever Stays Red should make a beeline for their nearest retailer (or e-tailer) and give this up-and-coming band a listen.
Fundamental Elements' latest project: The This Moment Ep, is a vitally robust sampling of musical creativity. Every track is an alloy of essential rhythms, synth-sprinkled grooves, bright brass and layered vocals. Comparable to Jimmy Needham, Manic Drive, Maroon 5, Mute Math and Hyperstatic Union, this band delivers a virtual periodic table of fresh, funky, fun tracks.
Hymns are enduring musical expressions communicating doctrine, scripture and truth whether they be religious or otherwise. J. S. Bach felt “church music was designed to deepen the worship of God and to embellish His service…” and further iterated “the aim and final reason, as of all music… should be none else but the Glory of God and the recreation of the mind. Though these thoughts seem old-fashioned and hymns are seen as too traditional, hymnody is still practiced and some still practice the craft of hymn-writing. Sandra McCracken’s latest project, In Feast or Fallow follows in the tradition of 2005’s The Builder & The Architect and further assures her place in the pantheon of modern hymnodists such as Matt Redman, Michael W. Smith, et al.
In Feast or Fallow pays respectful homage to the songs that are deeply-rooted in the Christian faith tradition. McCracken and her producer/musical peer/husband Derek Webb’s approach is one of simplicity and reverence. The music has an organic, acoustically-based foundation. Modern instrumentation and contemporary musical structuring is not eschewed but through each cut, it is evident that the lyrics are the focal point and the music serves the mood and truth of the lyrics.
Author, singer and actor Andy Griffith said, “hymns are companions for life travelers,” and the songs of In Feast or Fallow breathe with a companionable life given voice by McCracken’s emotionally inflective vocals. If you’re willing to take a chance, “those moldy oldies” of your great-grandparents might just become favorites. Sara Groves and Derek Webb are the obvious comparisons. Others include Gungor, Bethany Dillon and Watermark.
Waterdeep, nee Don & Lori Chaffer, offer up another eclectic collection of alt-indie musical goodness on their latest: In The Middle Of It. As with most of their recent forays, Waterdeep’s music continues to be an inventive mixed bag of avant-garde alternative, stylish synthesized indie/punk and beautiful, acoustical folk rock.
And while the band’s music is a refreshing potpourri of styles, so to their lyrics can move from the subtly sardonic, carry a playful amount of whimsy or take to deep musings. The Chaffer’s retain a masterful skill of creating an undeniable bond between their songs and the head/heart of the listener.
The mister and missus take turns on vocals, with Lori channeling her inner Chrissy Hynde & Debbie Harry. Don does what he’s been doing for years- creating amazingly deep and broad palettes that serve as memorably lush sonic settings for each song. And though Waterdeep does not easily lend itself to neat pigeon-holing, it's a safe bet that if Derek Webb, Iron & Wine, Sara Groves, Sufjan Stevens, The Beauty Pill and/or The Decemberists appeal to your taste, you'll be thoroughly caught up In The Middle Of It.
Jimmy Needham’s Nightlights, is the artist’s fourth and latest offering of soulful, blues-tinged pop/rock. Building off the success of his previous two Inpop releases, Needham sticks to his (successful) formula of creating a collection of lucent, engaging lyrics matched with music that’s fresh, fun and downright funky.
No argument from this reviewer; Jimmy Needham creates music that is distinctly refreshing in its difference from the majority of radio-friendly Top 40 fare. And if you enjoyed Not Without Love and Speak, you’ll enjoy Nightlights. If there’s a weakness with Nightlights, it’s a tempering of the “raw emotional transparency,” both lyrically and musically, evident in his previous albums. While not quite playing it "safe," something about Nightlights feels more grounded.
Jimmy Needham fits in very well with contemporaries such as Phil Wickham, Matthew West, Brandon Heath, Newworldson and Todd Agnew.
The Centricity label continues to pursue, sign and acquire distribution for overlooked, yet obviously committed, talented young bands. April sees the release of their most recent find, modern pop/rock act Sixteen Cities. The band’s self-titled debut is a collection of airwave-ready music sure to tickle the ears of music-lovers everywhere.
The guys from Sixteen Cities earns an easy comparison to Relient K’s Matt Thiessen and company, especially projects from earlier in their catalog. There’s a distinct playfulness and youthful yearning that characterizes the band’s music, sans the cynicism or angst that tends to creep into longer-lived bands’ repertoires.
Sixteen Cities music is fun & filled with catchy melodies, yet their lyrics are tempered by a maturity & spiritual self-awareness. If Everyday Sunday, Hawk Nelson, Nevertheless, Run Kid Run and Stellar Kart are favorites, check into Sixteen Cities.
Choosing quality over quantity, Arizona-based Vertical Shift Records (VSR) continues to slowly expand its roster of incredibly talented and dedicated musicians with their latest acquisition: Ember. This hard-rocking 5 piece band from Austin, Texas is set to let loose their full length debut, Embrace April 20th.
Each band member contributes to the intense sonic texture of this album, creating a satisfying sound that never misses a beat, seizing and holding the listener’s attention. Chris, Duece, Dusty, Jared & Chewy create a full, dynamic sound that more than rivals peers 3 Doors Down, Hinder, Nickleback, and Stone Sour. These Texas boys know how to play with the throttle wide open; taking no prisoners and making no apologies for doing it all for God!
Ember has no trouble holding its own against the aforementioned, while filling a more positive and overtly Christian niche these bands leave empty. If you rock out to the arena-inundating sounds of Building 429, DecembeRadio, Decyfer Down, and Needtobreathe you need to snatch this album on its street date, you won’t be disappointed- except when the album ends and leaves you wanting more! But hey, just hit the repeat button and re-immerse yourself in Ember’s Embrace.
Jet Velvet is the "vanity project" for well-known (at least in music circles) singers/songwriters Paul Dexter and Matt Bissonette. While not billed as an overtly Christian album, the lyrics offer deeper layers of meaning evident to those with the perspicacity to detect them. The Orange County collaborators do a great job of addressing everyday issues with an lyrical authenticity, yet keep the music subtly whimsical.
Obviously influenced by musical icons such as the Beatles, the Police and Radiohead, Bissonette & Dexter nevertheless demonstrate their own obvious, yet unique mastery of songcraft with the songs of Jet Velvet. Fans of the late,lamented Dakota Motor Co. & PFR, as well as Jars of Clay, Leeland and Phil Wickham will find a breath of fresh, So. Cal. air with this release.
Centricity decided to hasten the end of Winter and skip Spring all together by releasing the more than temperate pop-rock of their latest acquisition: Me In Motion. Dropping in late March, the band’s self-titled debut is an intensely polished set that shamelessly crosses the rock line of pop-rock yet manages to maintain a radio-friendly vibe alá Audio Adrenaline, Relient K and Switchfoot.
Ernest Hemingway admonishes, “Never mistake motion for action.” Seth Mosley, Tim Wilson & Brian Dexter avoid any hint of “going through the motions.” This trio turns out Brit-inspired alterna-pop-rock that is memorably original, exceedingly catchy and lyrically sharp. Each song on the album has hit-potential. The band, under the skillful tutelage of Ian Eskelin, demonstrates an amazing maturity in pairing perceptive lyrics with engrossing rhythms.
The band should have no trouble garnering an increasingly larger audience. To give some idea of Me In Motion’s level of ability, these guys have been on three different tours over the last 12 months and played with headliners Newsboys, Pillar, and Red; and will join Sanctus Real on a Spring Tour! Comparisons to All Star United, The Afters, Our Heart’s Hero, Remedy Drive, and Ruth are definitely apt.
Bema Media, a boutique label & ministry that, until recently, catered to ‘tweens and teens, has expanded their roster with the signing of songstress Lara Landon (as well as Canadian rockers Manic Drive). Landon’s debut, Beloved, is the label’s first direct foray aimed at the post-teen demographic and shows serious intent towards acquiring a broader, adult audience. Landon has the talent, maturity and sound to make a big splash in the CCM market as well as the mainstream.
Simply put, each song of Beloved is an outstanding synthesis of Ms. Landon’s rich, Sara McLachlan-esque vocals, her balanced songwriting sensibility, and her beyond-her-age spiritual maturity. The songs of Beloved are contemporary, accessible and proverbial but avoid the evident familiarity that plagues much of the high rotation CHR and AC music.
Ms. Landon’s vocals and the material of Beloved invites comparison to Cindy Morgan, and the aforementioned Sarah McLachlan, but this reviewer thought of the emotive talents of Melissa Manchester- not bad company to be included with. Aficionados of Brook Fraser, Sara Groves, Kari Jobe and Laura Story need to add another name to their “must buy” list- Lara Landon.
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