Between The Trees [Spain] | Posted July-17-2009
"Spain" is the sophomore album from the Orlando-based band Between The Trees. "One tree represents where time and existence begins," ventures lead singer Ryan Kirkland. "The other is the end of everything. Between them is the time we're given on Earth. What matters is what we do with that time."
This band had me totally hooked with their awesome song "The Way She Feels" from "The Story And The Song". Some of my favorite mainstream bands are The Fray, Snow Patrol, Keane, Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab For Cutie and Dashboard Confessional. If you like those artists, you'll enjoy Between The Trees.
"We Can Try" has me hooked again and is the first single from "Spain", which is a very good album and ranks in my top 20 albums of the year. Musically the sound is very polished and catchy. Lyrically, these are mostly relationship oriented songs and sound like softer songs by The Fray, Mae and Anberlin. Many of the songs have a piano-based style and "We Can Try", "Spain", "The One Thing", "Miss You", "Move", "Scarecrow" and "Changed By You" are my favorite songs on this album. "Scarecrow" sums up one of the spiritual themes of the album: "I wasn't made for this world". "Changed By You" has the lyrics "God's grace has overtaken me, needless to say I'm blessed by you". The song is a very sincere love song and could be a wedding song.
Fans of Edison Glass, The Afters, Mainstay, Until June and Abandon should also enjoy Between The Trees.
X 2009 [Various Artists] | Posted July-17-2009
I've been collecting "X" Series albums since they started in 2003 as a way to keep up with emerging Christian rock artists primarily from Tooth & Nail Records like Thousand Foot Krutch, The Almost, Underoath and Emery. Originally as a major collector of Christian music, the WOW Series rounded out my collection and introduced me to new Christian artists, however around 2006 I stopped collecting WOW albums as I already had every song and the albums seemed out of date. Meanwhile, the "X" Series has only gotten better over the last 6 years, with X 2009 being the crowning achievement in my opinion.
Over the past few years, I've come to really appreciate the hard rock artists on "X" collections and I was excited to see brand new songs "Surrender" by Seventh Day Slumber, and "The Unavoidable Battle Of Feeling On The Outside" by FM Static, which are two of the standout songs on the collection. If you like those songs, then you'll love the entire albums by both artists. Some other highlights for me are "Outrage" by Capital Lights, "Live Free Or Let Me Die" by Skillet, a new song from "Comatose Comes Alive", and "Sure Shot" by Run Kid Run.
What really makes X 2009 rank the highest overall is the DVD including 18 full-length music videos including songs not on the CD collection such as "Speaking Louder Than Before" by Jeremy Camp, "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real and "The Rescue" by Seabird. This is truly the best collection of new Christian music and videos of 2009.
Mat Kearney [City Of Black & White] | Posted May-20-2009
Following the success of his major label debut, “Nothing Left To Lose”, Mat Kearney has returned with an evolved sound and a world of new experiences. Three years later, and thanks in large part to VH1—which kept “Nothing Left to Lose” in rotation for 45 consecutive weeks, an open-hearted album of self-discovery, “City of Black & White” is a chronicle of the people he met and missed during that journey.
In fact, the first song “All I Want” begins with the lyrics “Here we go at it three years later
Will you help me to dream it all up again”. I really enjoyed “Nothing Left To Lose” and the musical diversity and catchy lyrical style. I would describe Mat’s style as a great mix of Jack Johnson, The Fray, Matthew West and Brandon Heath, which are among my favorite artists. “All I Want” is one of the catchy standout songs on the album and is a great way to start off the album. “Fire And Rain” is another nice upbeat song. Hit single “Closer To Love” is my favorite overall song on the album. Overall, it reminded me of Brandon Heath’s award-winning “Give Me Your Eyes” musically. The album lacks strong spiritual messages and reminds me more of a Jack Johnson album relative to the number of songs about relationships such as “Here We Go” and “New York To California” which are nice songs and also both remind me of “London” by Brandon Heath.
Unlike Matthew West and Mat’s last album, I was disappointed that this album is a tad mellow overall and lacks any urban style musically or lyrically. The album is a nice listen and includes several memorable songs including “Annie” and the closing song “City Of Black & White”.
If you liked “Wait And See” by Brandon Heath and “Something To Say” by Matthew West, you’ll like the musical style of this album, but lyrically it is much more like “The Fray” by The Fray and “Sleeping Through The Static” by Jack Johnson.
VOTA [VOTA] | Posted May-19-2009
VOTA, formerly recognized as Casting Pearls, has reinvented themselves with a new name, new sound and new record label INO Records. The self-titled album released digitally in late fall 2008 and released retail February 10, 2009. This one time trio of front man/guitarist/songwriter Bryan Olesen, also formerly a guitarist with Newsboys before forming Casting Pearls, along with bassist Case Maranville and drummer Scott Rutz expanded to four members now including guitarist/keyboardist Riley Friesen.
While Casting Pearls had more of an edgy rock sound, VOTA has more of a dance-flavored alternative rock sound, similar to Newsboys with hook-filled melodies and catchy lyrics. My favorite songs on the album are the main songs you’ll hear when you see the band in concert, which I’ve had the privilege to do twice. They were on the Sanctus Real tour last year and most recently the Newsboys tour. “Hard To Believe” is the super-catchy opening song and a great way to jump start this solid album. Here are Bryan Olesen’s comments about the song: “The more I dwell on what I really have in Christ, the more bold and excited I become about life. He loves you and I in a way that’s not shown anywhere else.”
The next songs “Be Mine” and “Love’s Taken Over” are also great examples of the uptempo dance rock style of the album with great messages about what it means to have God’s love take over your life. “Honestly” is one of those great personal ballads that I keep coming back to on this album. Bryan’s sincere vocals and personal testimony of the power of grace and mercy is very memorable and another great song to hear live. “Not Finished” and “I’ll Go” are great rockers and have great energy. My other favorite song on the album is “Free To Fail” with the message of submitting our lives to God and having security in knowing He’s given us life and the freedom to fail and get back up and live for Him.
Decyfer Down [Crash] | Posted April-30-2009
For those wondering what took Decyfer Down three years to release its sophomore CD Crash on INO Records, there were plenty of roadblocks that would’ve sent a lesser band down for the count. In between albums, the hard rock foursome found themselves victims of a freakish van crash that sent its vehicle sliding across several lanes of traffic, sideswiping a guardrail and sending equipment flying in all directions. Outside of a directional refinement, Crash also finds vocalist TJ Harris—formerly of Fighting Instinct fame—stepping up to the microphone for previous leader Caleb Oliver, who was recently married.
Opening song “Crash” is one my favorite rock songs of the past year, originally recorded with Caleb on the digital “Crash EP” and re-recorded with TJ on the album release 5/5/09. I like both versions, especially the emotional tie-in to the band’s van crash and the challenges of life. The album continues with “Desperate”, another great rock song with a great message. “Fading” is next and is currently a top 10 hit song on the rock chart. My favorite song is next, “Best I Can”, also originally recorded with Caleb and re-recorded with TJ. The song is a ballad and really reflects my personal desire to live life the best I can for God.
“We believe that we’ve taken it up a notch as far as our songwriting and performance goes on the songs as well. The songs touch on different aspects of our journey as believers, that God has a purpose and plan for your life.” Drummer Josh Oliver
If you like Christian rock bands Disciple, Pillar and Red, you should enjoy this solid rock album by Decyfer Down, especially the songs “Crash”, “Fading” and “Best I Can”, which are my favorites songs on the album.
Sarah Reeves [Sweet Sweet Sound EP] | Posted April-14-2009
Worship artist Sarah Reeves has joined Sparrow Records and is releasing her debut album “Sweet Sweet Sound” EP on 4/21/09. She is a nineteen-year-old Alabama native, and was introduced to Sparrow Records by Plumb lead singer Tiffany Lee and her husband Jeremy after hearing Sarah open for Plumb. With zealous faith and a love of music early on, Reeves first exercised her songwriting and vocal abilities as a participant in her church’s fine arts program. Consistently placing first at local as well as regional competitions, Reeves was moved by the receptiveness of young people to her message—one of power and freedom in the Holy Spirit. She has since made it her goal to serve God by leading young people into a lifestyle of worship and adoration to Him.
Sarah co-wrote “Sweet Sweet Sound” and “Let Us Rise” with Nashville veteran Ed Cash, who has written hit songs with Chris Tomlin, Bebo Norman, Bethany Dillon and Vicky Beeching. This EP serves as an excellent primer for Sarah’s music and ministry. “Sweet, Sweet Sound” is a worship-inducing song distinguished by Sarah's sweet vocals which immediately reminded me of Leigh Nash, Ginny Owens and also fellow newcomer Joy Lippard. There is an abandonment in her songs that compels listeners to dive deep into worship with her. All six songs are scripture based with upbeat songs like “Fresh Anointing” and “My Savior” and there are yearning prayer songs like the sweetly melancholy piano ballad, “Come Save”, which is one of my favorite songs on this very solid debut album. As Sarah explains, “I want this world to know the unconditional love of Jesus. This is a cry of desperation that God would come save our land.”
Great debut album and I liked all of the songs a lot, especially “Sweet Sweet Sound” and “Come Save”. I am very impressed by Sarah’s singing and songwriting and find her style to be similar to Bethany Dillon, Vicky Beeching and Ginny Owens.
Jeremy Riddle [The Now And Not Yet] | Posted April-09-2009
Jeremy Riddle is the writer and singer of the amazing worship song “Sweetly Broken”, a Vineyard Worship song and one of the great songs on Jeremy’s solo debut album on Varietal Records “Full Attention”, which was one of my top 10 albums of 2007. He has an earnest, sincere songwriting and singing style that will immediately remind you of Bono from U2, Chris Martin from Coldplay, and also worship leader Matt Redman and Martin Smith from Delirious?. Since I love those artists and alternative rock style praise and worship, I’m predisposed to like Jeremy Riddle.
“The Now And Not Yet” is Jeremy’s newest album, released March 3, 2009. “Christ Is Risen” is the first song and just like “God Of All Glory” on “Full Attention”, it sets the tone for this catchy and worshipful album. The music is even more upbeat and rock-oriented which is an improvement over “Full Attention”. The vertical worship and number of songs I could imagine singing in union with fellow believers in a corporate worship setting is another highlight of this very solid album. The songs that would be great additions to church services are “Christ Is Risen”, “Bless His Name”, “Prepare The Way”, and “Surrendered In Praise”. “Prepare The Way” puts Isaiah 40:3 “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD” to song with a great rhythm and “Yahweh, Yahweh” chorus with a U2 style. “Bless His Name” is one of my favorite songs of the year with the call to worship: “come let us sing for joy, let us shout aloud to our King, come let us worship God, lifting holy hands to Bless His Name”. There are also some great calls to action with the songs “Prayer For The Church” and “Among The Poor”.
If you like the song “Sweetly Broken”, you’ll love the album “The Now And Not Yet”. If you like Brit-Rock style praise and worship artists Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Tree63 and Delirious?, then you can’t go wrong with Jeremy Riddle.
Falling Up [Fangs] | Posted March-17-2009
Falling Up returns with their 4th full length album, “Fangs”, a mystical concept record telling a story of hope. Years in the works, Falling Up has brought to life a lush musical journey that began as story penned by lead singer Jessy Ribordy. Heros & villains, good and evil, trials and tribulation. “The story of our hero begins as he crash lands into a great sea on this mystic planet called Neptuenn. We follow along on his quest as he embarks to discover the history of the planet, and just like anytime one travels to a distant land, he is shocked to notice just how strange the place that he comes from really is.” This album, along with the introduction, is an account and summary of chapters 1-5 from the book “Fangs!” adapted from the original screenplay "Neptuenn's Cavern" by Jessy Ribordy.
This is unlike any Christian release I’ve ever heard and it is a truly brilliant musical journey. I’ve enjoyed previous hit songs by Falling Up including “Flights”, “Contact”, “Exit Calypsan” and “Hotel Aquarium”. If you liked those songs, you won’t be disappointed with the stand-out songs on “Fangs” which for me are the first 3 songs “The Colour Eoptian”, “Lotus And The Langourous” and “Streams Of Woe At Acheron”. Those 3 songs set the stage for the concept of the album, which is unique and fictional. The music and Jessy’s singing voice blend perfectly with the synth-rock sound of Falling Up, musically more like the “Exit Lights” remix album. I’ve already listened to the song “Lotus And The Langourous” over a dozen times, and it is my favorite new rock song of the year. There is nothing offensive in the song lyrics although they are obscure. The album reminds me of last year’s stand-out album “With Arrows, With Poise” by The Myriad, including more arrow references in “Golden Arrows” and “The Kings Garden”, part of a mellow middle section of the album which continues until the rock kicks into high gear with the guitar intro on “The Moon And Sixpence”. The album closes with 4 more story songs, including more references to the “golden arrows” in “Goddess of the Dayspring, Am I”, and “Swimming Toward Propellers”.
If you like praise and worship or lyrics that you can immediately identify with, this album is not for you. If you like alternative rock like The Myriad, Anberlin and Radiohead, then this concept album is for you.
Philmont [Oh Snap EP] | Posted March-16-2009
Rising rock act Philmont’s rhinoceros emblazoned teaser EP certainly made listeners take notice in the summer of 2008 with the digital release of "Oh Snap". The album comes out with the additional track "The Ascension" on April 21, 2009. They are randomly named after a small town in New York. If you like up-tempo punk rock like The All-American Rejects, Fall Out Boy and Hawk Nelson, you should enjoy Philmont.
I’ve been enjoying the excitable opener “I Can’t Stand to Fall” since last year. The lyrical hook of “tear down these walls that separate us now” well represents Philmont’s overriding goal to always stay on the same page as God in every facet of life. The focus on spiritual matters is one of my favorite aspects of this solid debut EP. My other favorite song is “The Difference” This song addresses the difference between life as a Christian and life as a non-Christian. Our actions and words should reflect the difference that Christ has made in our lives. I also like the mix of a slower song like “Another Name” with the great guitar intro and lyrical intelligence of “My Hippocratic Oath”. The latter song parallels a doctor’s promise to always work in the patient’s best interest to God’s offer of salvation: “I can save your heart even though it’s destined to fail … I guarantee you’ll never make it out alive without me.”
Nice combination of songs and sound. I’m looking forward to a full album release in the future from this promising band. If you like Hawk Nelson, Nevertheless and Everyday Sunday, you’ll enjoy Philmont.
Abandon [Abandon EP] | Posted March-16-2009
“Abandon EP” is a great new album by new San Antonio rock act Abandon. I’ve been greatly enjoying the first song “Providence” since last year which is one of 6 energy-gushing songs off the self-titled debut, digitally released last year and coming out with additional track "Hold On" on April 21, 2009. The band’s sound has been described as The Killers meet U2 which is a great description. For me, I would also compare them to The All-American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, Mute Math and Christian rock bands After Edmund and Nevertheless.
They have a steady rush of uncommon creativity that has both modern flash and worshipful depth. Brothers Josh and Justin Engler had moved from their home state of Indiana to Texas while in high school, where they met Dave and Stevan Vela, cousins, at church. Gelling by jamming in the worship band, they felt a growing desire to write original music together as well.
That theme of danger and hope shines throughout the album. The pulsing beat of “Providence” really sets that tone. “The story of Peter in the Bible has always been a fascinating one. How could someone that walked so close to Jesus deny being His follower? If this story was about you or me, would it be different? Either way, grace is enough.” The songs “Be Alive In Me”, “Here Waiting”, “All Because of You” and “Atmosphere” are all very worshipful and biblical. Radio single “Hold On” “is about a teenage girl who is experiencing some rough times in her life. Although the character is fictional, she represents the majority of our nation’s youth. “Hold On” is intended to offer the listener hope.” “Hold on. Someone will find you. Look for the searchlights”.
I love all 6 songs and highly recommend this album for fans of worship and alternative rock.
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