Presents The Christmas Classics EP
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House Of Heroes In lieu of last year's turning point for the band, House of Heroes has been doing their darnedest to make sure you remember them, all through a series of three 3-song EPs. First it was acoustic, then it...
Family Force 5's Christmas Pageant
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FF5 (formerly Family Force 5) It seems that every year I hear yet another person expressing their hate for Christmas music. After all, it's the same classics spelled the same different ways, by the same voices. For these people, there's...
Hello Hurricane
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Switchfoot I'll admit it. After such a long drought of a solid album (their whole career), and the recent draught of even a decent album (Since 'Beautiful Letdown'), I kind of gave up on Switchfoot. Add to that the...
Rock That Doesn't Take Itself Too Seriously | Posted September-18-2007
Trevor McNeven brought these guys into the Tooth & Nail fold, which is interesting considering there's some real comparisons to Hawk, and TFK side-project FM Static. The result is an improved fusion of both bands, with original Hawk mixed in.
"California," "Someone Else Before," "Letters To The President," "36 Days," are the highlights of the album, with all but the last being great punk rock songs that rival even Releint K, while the latter song is a I-Miss-You ballad, which is sung beautifully, and has great lyrics.
"Like A Racecar" is the only song I didn't like, which sounds way too much like TFK, which could be explained by the presence of McNeven. The song seems very out of place on the album, and could have been saved for another album. But's it's nice the band is trying all forms of rock on the album.
The rest of the album is a mixture of funky punk rock, and some slower songs that don't detract from the album at all, and might even enhance it. Some of the songs are short, but they burst of pure energy that could be compared to MxPx in their style of let the dam flow. Or, let it all out, don't stop.
Overall, a great debut by some rockin' boys from Canada, this is my favorite punk rock CD, and for good reason. The band really does a great job here, and leaves nothing in the open. It's an open and shut case, if you're looking for good rock, this is the CD for you.
1 Good Song | Posted September-18-2007
Even though this release hasn't been released at the time of this writing, I can review it because I've heard all the songs before. This year, the list gets pathetic. The choices are HORRIBLE, these were the first singles, but hardly the best singles they released, and wait, these songs are last year's news. Alright, this is a primer for, 2006, not 2007. As for burn value, the addition of PureNRG makes this prime for this winter's kindling.
Burn For You Describes What The CD Is Willing To Do | Posted September-18-2007
I'll give them credit, they did put the redone version of "Burn For You" on the album, instead of the lame album radio version, however, the song is still a couple years old. The rest of the CD? This time the CD screams, BURN!!! Bad primer, bad CD, period.
Still Burnable | Posted September-18-2007
Yes they added Relient K, but they didn't even select the best in radio CCM this year, in fact, everysong is a second-single or, the tracks that weren't good enough to be the first single. And their bonus tracks (Which were the redeeming feature with the other CD's), choke the CD. Inhabited? Josh Bates? Sure Inhabited is a good group, but this song was hardly the best single they put out. As a primer, the series isn't even that. I don't even know is some of these songs were on radio. Plus they put these songs on the album so late, it's ridiculous. Some of the songs are 2/3 years old. If you're looking for a primer, this isn't it, anymore. For the rest, add this to the burn pile.
I Can't Listen To Any of These Songs Again | Posted September-18-2007
Here's the thing. "Wow" is great if you're totally new to CCM, and you want a good primer on what's popular (But not necessarily good). This is totally the case with this CD. That's why my sister got it, and why I borrowed it from her, and listened to it, endlessly... To this day I can't listen to a single song on here because I'm burnt out on them.
The CD selects some good songs, however, their selection seems geared to anybody over the age of 40. The thing here is safe, and radio friendly. No Releint K, no rock, just average radio material. Nothing more, something less. So, if you're new to CCM, and are over the age of 40, and want to hear the "hot" artists, look no further. For the rest, burn.
Hits and Misses, But Consistent Promise | Posted September-18-2007
Don't let the first song be an indicator this is a good album. I've actually only heard of this band very recently, and I'm quite surprised considering how much talent the band shows with this album. How do you describe them? Think Lincoln Brewster doing rock/pop with a good guitarist. This analogy stands well when you listen to the first song, which seems very tailored to radio, and also drags on much longer than it should.
But the highlight comes next "Really Free" starts off with a great guitar riff, and as the song progresses, you're like, this band could be the next big thing, especially when it hits the chorus.
The ballad "Waiting For You" is a beautiful song, and really makes you wonder why this band isn't all over. They provide some great music, and for the songs that aren't that great, the guitarist makes up for it. Unfortunately, a few of the songs could have been done better, and they really show that the band could use some more experience.
Overall, a great group with promise. While not inventing the wheel, and still a ways to go musically, this band could make a big splash with their sophomore album.
The U2 Legacy Is Preserved | Posted September-10-2007
U2 is a legend. And a legend to look up to, because unlike many famous artists, the band crafts great lyrics about peace and love, but then backs it up with their great work in charity. And their legacy continues with this tribute album, where not only do you get great music, but you're contributing to a great cause. For every album sold, Sparrow Records will donate to World Vision to help the AIDS victims in Africa. If there was ever a CD that you had to buy, this would be it. Don't download it illegally, buy it and help World Vision.
The big names come out for this one, and the album starts off with one of the band's most famous songs, "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Pillar does a great job with the song, both vocally and musically. Some consider it a hard rock approach, but whatever it is, it works. And the album only gets better with Sanctus Real's cover of "Beautiful Day," one of the more recent U2 hits off the album. Sanctus revs up the song and takes it to it's true potential, making it actually better than the original. Could it be so? Sanctus Real does better than U2? Judge for yourself, but for my money it is.
Starfield gets comfortable with "40," and the song's worshipful mood. Many people criticized it, but I think the band did I nice job with it. The now defunct Audio Adrenaline shows off their rock side with "Gloria." Which, amazingly isn't a Christmas song, but musically sounds like the band's cover of "Little Drummer Boy." Overall the band does very well with the song.
Sixpence None The Richer, Nicole Nordeman, and Jars of Clay take on U2's lesser known songs, but do well with them, especially Nordeman who gives one of her best performances. These songs however are forgettable nonetheless, since they're the lesser known songs of U2.
tobyMac (having done a cover of "40" with dc Talk) this time tackles "Mysterious Ways" with a little help from Sarah Kelly. The song has a electronic undertone, but it comes out well. Another dc Talker does "One." As usual Tait delivers a flawless vocal performance, but again the song is more forgettable, since the original wasn't well known.
Delirious? Comes with the hit "Pride" which is dead-on with the original, vocally, musically, everything is a copy of U2. This isn't a cover, it's a copy, and due to the vocal similarities with both bands, I think Delirious? should have been left off the album all together, and the song be given to somebody totally unexpected like Relient K. "With or Without You" is a great performance by, not Grits, but Jadyn Maria (Who?). The song was made for her, and she gives a stellar performance, in fact she's the only one that performs, Grits just does a repeating background vocal. So drop the Grits influence, great song, with Grits, still pretty good.
Strangely following the emotional song is "When Love Came To Town," which you probably haven't heard of, but it's not forgettable because Todd Agnew gives his best performance ever with the song. This is his niche, southern rock; he has the voice for it. The song has a great feel to it, and Agnew exceeds all expectations and unexpectedly blows it out of the park.
Chris Tomlin continues the trend. "Where The Streets Have No Name" is the most famous U2 song, and it had to be done well, and Chris Tomlin is amazingly the guy to do it. The music, the vocals, the whole feel of the song is just right. It does the original justice. Personally this version is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Overall, buy the album. Not only will you get some great music, but you'll be helping a great organization help people. The legacy of U2 is preserved with this album, musically and charitably. Sure I would have liked a couple of minor changes, and maybe add a bonus track of dc Talk's "40" but this is a great album as is, and a must-buy. I got the album for free from this site. Next time I'm at Family Christian Stores, I'll pick up another copy, for the people of Africa, not to sooth a conscience, but because I want to.
Switchfoot Isn't Wine | Posted September-04-2007
When this album came out back in 2004, I thought is was the greatest thing ever. Now? Not so much, in fact, all the songs I thought were good, not so much. The songs I didn't like, I love.
But I do have to give credit to their guitar guy, some songs like "Meant To Live" would have been terrible without that opening solo. In fact, "This Is Your Life" isn't that great either. It might have good lyrics, but the musical quality is not so great. The opening part to that is just strange, future of music channeling is what I call it.
"More Than Fine," "Gone," "Adding To The Noise," are a bunch of great little ditties, and really should make up more of Switchfoot playlist, instead of the harder stuff. Lyrically and musically "Gone" is a real winner, however, it should also have been the last song about materialism. I mean really, can the guy write about anything else? That's one of the reasons their last two albums haven't been good, it's all about materialism. They should have just stopped here.
"24," and "On Fire" are great ballads, and amazingly the band excels here, making these the highlights of the album, especially "24." Why can't the band make more of songs like these? These songs are gems, and shunned gems at that.
The rest of the album isn't that great, filler material, including the title track. Overall, I like about half the album. The rest is throwaway. Sorry, Switchfoot, you could have done better. What's sad is this is their best album. Having said that, the album does have it's high moments, and depending on what you think of them, I would definitely recommend it.
Perfect For Any Newsboys Fan | Posted September-03-2007
Don't get me wrong, the Newsboys are a great band, from the 90's. I'm less than of a fan of their work in the past 7 years. This limited edition CD is great for any Newsboys fan. While the new tracks don't amount to hardly anything, and they're hardly worth the time, the DVD portion is great. The DVD takes you behind the scenes with each band member at the time. These moments are a must for every fan, as by the time each video is finished, you get a great feel for each of these guys as a person.
The highlight is Paul Colman, who is the band's newest member, and a hilarious one at that. His lines are classic, and his personality is infectious in every way. And his Bob Dylan singing "Shine" act is one for the ages.
The newest ex-Newsboy is Phil Joel, and his segment on the other hand is agonizingly boring. The guy has a quiet personality, and isn't the type guy who is going to randomly do something. It gets stranger when they follow him to get a guitar autographed by "Frampton". I assume it's Peter Frampton, but it's impossible to tell since the guy Joel sees is playing guitar in a field, naked, and blurred by the camera.
Each member's segment is also a bio of sorts, we meet their parents, see how they got started in music, and how they came into Newsboys.
Overall, a must-have for any fan. Even those who aren't fans, but love the CD, will love the extra bonus, and for those who didn't like the CD, they'll love Paul Colman.
Bad+Worse=The Newsboys Worst Album | Posted September-03-2007
Wait. All these songs are recycled from previous albums? Nothing new? And not one good song out of the bunch? What's the point of buying this album then? That's my point. It doesn't get much worse. This is a lazy, pathetic excuse from the Newsboys. Sorry, but you failed your fans badly. Harsh words yes, but they deserve every one.
art10's Music and Book Reviews 
