Transmission 1
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The Listening It's tough for me to review EP's since I usually never buy them for their lack of substance. However, when one of my favorite bands hasn't released any new material in close to 4 years I tend to get giddy...
Dreamer
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Haste The Day Every now and then an album comes along that is so surprisingly addictive you just don't know what to do. That moment came for me with Dreamer from Haste the Day. I really wasn't expecting much...
Southern Hospitality
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Disciple Disciple have decided to tweak their sound yet again. The question is, was it for the better? Well that depends what you like best about the brand of hard rock they bring to the table. In their self-titled...
The Beautiful Letdown | Posted July-29-2008
Ugh, I did it again. When will it end? When will I stop underrating bands or making assumptions based on a couple songs? Up until a couple weeks ago I thought I didn't like Switchfoot. I thought they made mediocre music that was very formulaic. Why? I don't know. I loved the first single off this album, 'Meant to Live' well before I became a Christian. I had heard 'Dare You To Move' back then but I'm guessing that because I didn't understand the lyrics it didn't really catch. Upon borrowing this CD (and then buying it a week later), not only do I love that song, since it means something, but I love the whole album.
Mediocre music? I didn't hear any. Formulaic? Pfft, what was I thinking? Every track has it's own sound, pace, and vibe to it that keeps you wondering what the next song will sound like. About the only similarity to the songs is they are all strongly produced, hook-laden pop/rock tracks that have powerful lyrics. The vocal hooks are different in every song and the chorus's truly shine in a very sing-a-long kinda way. Many people have probably caught me singing along like a fool in my car since I can't resist.
'Gone' is a great punkish rock anthem that changes the pace about 3 times in the song and has memorable lyrics singing about how material things will be gone eventually. The slower ballads like 'Dare You To Move' and 'On Fire' are just powerful songs that tug at the heart and do a great job of changing the tempo. I get chills down my back everytime I hear 'On Fire'.
I honestly can't think of anything wrong with the album either. There's no filler, no weak tracks, and the tracklist overall seems perfect. This album may move into the elite category as a classic album in time. I've only had it for a couple weeks now though and need to see if it stands the test of time. It needs to be said that this is an album that will likely grow on you. If you didn't give it enough time when you first got it in 2003 or whenever then you may want to go back and give The Beautiful Letdown it's due.
Gems of this album are: 'Meant To Live', 'Dare You To Move', 'Gone', 'This Is Your Life'
The Eleventh Hour | Posted August-19-2008
This fourth album seems to pick up where they left off on If I Left The Zoo, and that is to say, making classic songs. This effort has a few more upbeat, catchy tracks than their previous album and as a result they are hard to get out of your head. 'Revolution' might be the best thing they have ever created with it's foot-tapping good beat, vocal hooks, and sharp guitar work. It's the type of song that makes you say, 'Now that is what a single is all about!' and I'm pretty sure it never was a single. No, Jars of Clay moved away from the pop/rock they crafted with earlier albums and instead created great works of art.
The lyrics have changed too. Before they were a little more obvious in what they were singing about but make no mistake, you can still see what faith they are coming from. Perhaps they just grew bolder as they strove to make important music. 'Silence' is a very haunting track with an all important question "Where are you?". The lyrics just become more honest and more thought provoking overall. And they explained on a live DVD from this tour that 'Fly' is about a young couple who struggle with the wife's cancer and God is right there to fly with her to the other side. Truly a touching story that I think is a true one.
Consistency is the name of the game with The Eleventh Hour as there's not a bad track on it. That's true of nearly every JoC CD too. They give quality over quantity and I love it. But like albums of that nature it takes a few listens for it to click and when it does it's worth it. It clicked with me and it's now my 2nd favorite album all-time.
Gems of this album are: 'Revolution', 'Silence', 'The Eleventh Hour', 'Whatever She Wants'
With Arrows, With Poise | Posted June-17-2008
There's just something about the music The Myriad has crafted with their sophomore album that can leave you speechless. Their overall sound is even hard to describe. I hear moments of the spacey Muse or atmospheric Radiohead as well as straight up catchy rock like their first single, 'A Clean Shot' shows. One thing is for sure, well-crafted is a great way to describe With Arrows, With Poise.
Right from the beginning of the album you can tell this isn't a typical rock record. The Myriad use a plethora of instruments that do indeed give the music an outer space type of feel. What's more is they manage to do this and keep things from getting depressing or drab. No, instead it's all upbeat as the lyrics heavily laden with metaphors and symbolism are delivered. You can see the Christian theme but they aren't 'in your face' about it. It's a bit more subtle than, say, a band like Sanctus Real or The Afters. But I think it's that mix that will be a hit with a wide audience. The lyrics certainly have a fairy tale vibe to them that I haven't quite figured out. But hey, the music keeps me coming back for more anyhow so I'll get it eventually!
Another thing I can say I noticed is the bass is quite powerful and not at all in background like some bands seem to forget it exists altogether. The aforementioned single, as well as 'Throwing Punches', make great use of it to set the mood. With the latter song and the closer, there seems to be a sense of urgency as the vocals croon around a hypnotic melody. Whether that's done by a piano or what sounds like a xylophone or whatever other instruments they used; it's all beautiful.
Ok... now I think I'm gushing... but you get my point. This is one of the most unique Christian releases I've heard and I love the artistic flair in the whole thing. It's anything but cookie cutter rock and overall a very rich and rewarding experience to the listener. The Myriad have given us one of the best of the year, Christian music or otherwise.
Gems of this album are: 'A Clean Shot', 'A Thousand Winters Melting', 'You Waste Time Like A Grandfather Clock'
Disciple | Posted July-29-2008
I got hooked on their music after seeing a drama skit to the song 'Rise Up', and I haven't looked back. That song is the perfect anthem for this generation and the fact it was played at a church youth event was just amazing. This is one of Disciple's softest albums vocally but the music is still as heavy as it gets. Screaming does not always equal heavy just like heavy music doesn't mean shallow lyrics. Disciple are one of the best at creating powerful hard rock songs combined with amazing, faith-filled lyrics. There are great vocal hooks and harmonies to go along with very impressive bass and guitar work. And despite being a lengthy 14 tracks long, the album never feels like it's overstaying it's welcome. Every track seems to end at the right time and they do a great job mixing up the pace to keep you guessing with strong ballads like 'Only You' and 'Beautiful'.
I suppose they don't really push any boundries but then again, they don't need to. This isn't an experimental album but rather one they utilize all their strengths and, effectively, hit on all cylinders. This is the perfect album to start with if you are new to Disciple and want to see what they offer since it's more accessible than other albums. It's really a shame that they aren't more well-known being a veteran band and all. If you have a craving for some heavy Christian rock goodness this is where it's at.
Gems of this album are: 'Rise Up', 'Backstabber', 'Worth It All', 'Go Ahead'
Good Monsters | Posted July-29-2008
This being my introduction to Jars of Clay I have had somewhat of a rollercoaster experience with Good Monsters. At first it was all I knew from them and I loved every moment of it. But as I dug deeper into their back catalogue I found that it was actually the worst album they've put out. It's not a bad album by any means, quite the contrary. It's just...different compared to their older work and overall not as consistent. That's the main problem with Good Monsters. Unlike past albums, this one has a few great songs followed by an average one or two ('Surprise' and 'Take Me Higher') and then a few more excellent tracks.
But enough of the negative, let's look at the positive. I love the melodies, the vocal hooks, the pop beats, all of it. The vocals are very strong and passionate, both things I love and look for. The music can also be very atmospheric and truly set the tone of a song as in 'Even Angels Cry'. Above all, there's a sense of urgency on this album and it's never shown better than on the song 'Oh My God'. The song just constantly builds and builds towards a high peak of a climax at which point it ends. They speak some truth that I think most bands would be afraid to voice. The lyrics are mostly cryptic except on a few songs, like 'All My Tears', which is a cover song. They definitely took a bold approach to this one to fill out the last of their initial contract with Essential Records. I look forward to seeing where they go on their own label now that they have all the creative freedom in the world.
Gems of this album are: 'All My Tears', 'Light Gives Heat', 'Dead Man (Carry Me)', 'Oh My God'
Lifesong | Posted March-28-2008
Wow. I was holding out on this band for whatever reason and it turns out it was hurting me more than hurting them. I never thought I'd say a CD could change my life but in a sense this one at least altered it. How, do you ask? Well, in a time where I was struggling with what I could do in my walk with God this album gave me a clear message. First of all, I saw how much my mood was lightened when I started my long commute to work with this CD instead of a depressing, secular one. That should've been obvious to me but I was still holding onto it stubbornly. Secondly, Lifesong has a clear theme about how every area of your life should be worship to God. Again, something that should've been obvious to me but sometimes I forget, or rather push it out of my mind, when there seems to be an easier road.
Now, this isn't a concept album in the sense that all the songs connect directly to a story or act as one large track instead of 11 individual ones. Each song has it's own characters and storyline that all have that central theme of living for God as best you can. You could very easily take a few songs and draw connections though. It probably helped that I had his Lifestories book that describes the meaning of all these songs (and those from the first album). I'd strongly advise picking that up just for the amazing testimonies in itself. One, in particular, was gut-wrenching, 'Praise You In This Storm'. It's a story of an 8-year-old girl who lost her battle with cancer. Through it all her mother, and family, kept the faith and worship going as her condition rapidly declined. Since the song was released as a single it's been aptly used for Hurricane Katrina, but no matter how the listener relates it's a very engaging song, and that's just talking about the message! Much like all Casting Crowns songs, there's a powerful climax built up from the beginning and it doesn't fail to deliver with strings, passionate vocals, piano notes and more in harmony.
Mark Hall, vocalist and frontman, has an amazing and annointed voice, of which he uses to sing the songs with such meaning and passion. There are some female vocals peppered in at all the right moments as well. While Casting Crowns may create simple music the overall impact is anything but simple. I particularly relate to 'Set Me Free', or at least I did a couple years ago when I first found what I was looking for. I wish I had this music back then because it would've floored me. Instead it brings back memories of all I've been through and set free from that I can never forget.
Most of the songs are of a slow tempo until the chorus kicks in except for 'Father, Spirit, Jesus'. That one is more of an upbeat worship song worthy to be danced to. And somehow the album comes to a wonderful close with 'And Now my Lifesong Sings'. It perfectly wraps up the theme of the album but I say 'somehow' because it's so simple yet so beautiful and piercing. The lyrics are sort of lifted from the classic 'Amazing Grace' but not entirely and they are presented in a different way. In my collection of music, Casting Crowns has a very important place. It's easy listening amidst a lot of hard rock and every bit welcomed for it's message and reminder of what this life is all about.
Gems of this album are: 'Set Me Free', 'Praise You In This Storm', 'Father, Spirit, Jesus', 'Does Anybody Hear Her'
Sound of Melodies | Posted March-26-2008
It's hard for me to compare Leeland to any other band. They seem to take some bits and pieces here and there of bands, but I really don't own anything quite like this. The lead singer, Leeland Mooring, has a very strong and passionate voice that seems to be a mix of Thom Yorke, Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), and maybe even Fyfe Dangerfield from the Guillemots. His voice is really what carries this band as he uses it very well to create vocal hooks as well as to just send chills down your back. The amazing thing is this frontman is only 18 years old and writes lyrics and music with a great maturity for his young age. The style of music has bits of progressive elements but really it's just an elaborate and deeper type of pop/rock. Leeland have some great string arrangements to help set the mood of songs and they sure know how to build a climax. There's definitely not a specific formula being used here in terms of song structure. 'Tears of the Saints' is a good example of this with it's 6+ minute flurry of climaxes, passionate vocals, and piano notes. It's personally my favorite track and it'd be a hit on the radio if people can get past its length. To be honest it doesn't feel 6 minutes long so that's a good thing.
Then you have some pop tracks that can get your foot tapping like 'Lift Your Eyes' and 'Can't Stop'. The latter has vocals that remind me of the Foo Fighters and 'Hey' is a very upbeat track that screams Guillemots. It also has a sweet piano solo that I can't get enough of, probably because it's perfectly timed and comes out of no where. 'Beautiful Lord' and 'Carried to the Table' are the most blatant worship songs though most all of them pretty much are perfect for worship. The lyrics are very bold here and make it obvious they are Christian. Because of that they are very easy for fellow Christians to relate to and be uplifted with and I'd assume others wouldn't enjoy it no matter how mature the lyrics are. This CD in general doesn't have heavy riffs so much as beautiful arrangements and hooks to glue the listener to the headphones and boy does it work. Sound of Melodies is one of the more unique Christian CD's I've come across and I see a lot of potential in this young group.
Gems of this album are: 'Tears of the Saints', 'Yes You Have', 'Carried to the Table'
Sea of Faces | Posted March-26-2008
There's just something about Kutless I love. They don't create the most original music or even unique music. They don't have technically amazing musicians that separate them from the pack. Their vocalist, while having a strong voice, isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. Hey, even their albums all kind of sound similar in structure and message. So why do I consistently love their music? Simply put, they have crafted songs that I can very much relate to and get wrapped up in. There always seems to be a song for something I'm going through and in Sea of Faces I find the most relative music to my life. Between subject matter speaking of losing hope at harsh trials, feeling insignificant in this world, finding the best angle to view life, and the brutal truth of what was done for my salvation. Through and through, Kutless are Christians and they aren't afraid to show it in their lyrics. Where some bands choose to be vague for album sales or to reach a larger audience, Kutless feels like pouring their hearts out and letting those who struggle in this walk of life be comforted. That commands a lot of respective from me because they show that they don't care what other people think. It's all coming from their soul.
Ok, so the message is obviously a huge plus to me. What about the music? Well, Kutless are a straight up rock band complete with worship pieces ('All the Words', 'Sea of Faces') among hard rock numbers ('Better For You', 'Let You In', 'Troubled Heart') filled with heavy guitar riffs and soaring vocals. I was also glad to see there was only one 10 second span of rapping, which I can't stand, but it's not enough to ruin the song like on their first CD. I particularly found 'Perspectives' to be a great message about viewing life with another lens instead of a depressing one. Too many bands nowadays (admittingly all secular, go figure) have depressing points of view on life and fail to see that life is what you make of it. 'Passion' just rips at the heart with the chilling imagery Sumrall uses in describing Jesus's crucifiction. He says, 'Nail pierced hands, they run iwth blood/A splitting brow forced by the thorns/His face is writhing with the pain.
Like I said, they don't strive to be original so much as to be truthful and real. People tend to stereotype Christians as 'hypocrites' based on the ones they know that mess up but no one is perfect. Kutless at least show that. They don't try and act perfect but rather that we all have shortcomings as well as strengths. Of their three albums I find this one to be the best. It's a bit short running at 35+ minutes but that could probably be a good thing. Any more songs might've been a little taxing on the attention span. I think this album is really benefited by a strong tracklist. The slower songs are perfectly placed between the heavy songs to change things up and keep me interested. What could make Kutless better? I could probably name a few things but all of which would take away from what they are trying to do. There's other bands to fill my need for technically amazing guitar work or epic progressive songs. Kutless does what they are made to do very well and there's not much else I can ask for.
Gems of this album are: 'Passion', 'Perspectives', 'Sea of Faces'
Red Tree | Posted June-18-2008
Fall of Echoes are a more modern progressive rock band reminiscent of Riverside or Porcupine Tree, only minus the depressing atmosphere and lyrical content. For that, I applaud them, because it's not easy to create an atmospheric album without that atmosphere being dark and gloomy. They pulled it off, though, as this is a very atmospheric album that finds itself uplifting. This, combined with the strong vocals from Shane, which are deep but also with a great range and never to a point where you can't understand him, already puts Red Tree in the upper class.
The guitars are mostly heavy and at other times melodic, but always strong with great solos thrown in the mix. As for the lyrics, you can tell this is a Christian band and that's always a good sign. They aren't so much preachy except 'Mr. Orion', where he sings about how we are all going to have to answer to God whether we believe in him or not, but the messages are clear where he's coming from. Take 'You Freak Me Out', for instance, where he sings about the various types of religious fanatics and some of the horrible things they do supposedly for their God. That's certainly not a topic Christian bands cover often. This CD is anything but generic music and the modern progressive rock found is a breath of fresh air to me. By the way, 'Mr. Orion' is quite possible one of the BEST songs EVER.
Gems of this album are:'Mr. Orion', 'She Fits Well', 'Groaning'
Orphan Found | Posted June-18-2008
The lead singer, Shane, has two other projects besides Orphan Project and this one is no less amazing. This is great progressive rock here complete with pianos, violins, cellos, a choir, and more that flow together so very smoothly. To top it off, Shane has an amazing, passionate voice perfect for the heavy tracks like 'Orphan Found' and the first track as well as the phenominal, brooding 'Full and Lonely' and 'Coming Into View III'. The former of which has an excellent piano that eventually leads way into a powerful guitar riff used through the rest of the song. Make no mistake though, there's some heavy riffs here. The mix of styles and tempos are spread out about as good as possible to create some excellent continuity as well. Some albums can fall apart with bad track placement, or in this case, be built up by it.
This album is somewhat of a concept album covering the subject of being an orphan and finding one's identity. It truly is an emotional ride that can really create a connection between the listener and the band. Every song is dripping with passion and atmosphere and it's easy to see this is a heartfelt subject for Shane. Orphan Found is one underground Christian release that must be owned by anyone looking for more substance than the radio tends to give.
Gems of this album are: 'Coming Into View III: Gazing Down on Golden Streets', 'Full and Lonely', 'Orphan Found'
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