Brand new Indie rock band, Fora, releases their debut EP, The Gathering. Hailing from Salinas, Calif., this three-piece band has a lot to offer. With a melodic rock sound and a heart for...
New five-piece pop/rock worship band, Cadence, releases their first EP, Awake, in hopes that listeners will be drawn into God's presence, and as a result, can't help but worship Him....
Alabama native Nick Gill is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter who recently signed with Rock Ridge Music. Releasing his fourth album (but his first with the label) Waves Are Only Water, Gill...
Bashta's Sounds Lead a Generation to Worship | Posted August-29-2011
Daniel Bashta has quite the personal story, a story moving enough to inspire the writing of amazing songs. Add to that Bashta's passion for the church and for the emerging generation, and you have fodder for a special album. Throughout all 14 tracks, The Sounds of Daniel Bashta doesn't just offer new worship songs, but the beatings of a heart desiring to see God’s people fully alive.
The first track, “Dreamers,” could easily serve as the theme song for the entire album. Before any instruments are even introduced, there are sounds of people chatting and milling about, like right before a show or concert begins. Then, slowly the music starts and Bashta sings, “Awake, awake all you dreamers, awake, awake and be free,” calling the Church to “come alive, out of the ruins we will rise.”
Throughout the song, you still can occasionally hear the murmuring of people’s voices in the background, creating the feeling that no one is listening to Bashta’s cry to “wake up all you dreamers, sing you sons of freedom.” Unfortunately this paints an accurate picture of the Church today, comfortable and safe, while God is calling us to wake up and live the lives He died for us to have. And Bashta intends on reminding us of this with every song, from here on out.
“The Sound,” like a lot of songs on this album, starts out with a lone instrument and progressively builds as it gains momentum and energy. Bashta’s single voice echoes in the dark, asking “Hell can you hear me, are you listenin’? Darkness do you fear me, are you tremblin’?” Then a chorus of voices join in, repeating the question and adding, “This is the sound of our generation rising up!” This song has anthemic power and I could see this being sung at conferences, youth events, etc. to unify and rally worshipers. Just listening to it is enough to make someone want to go out and take the world for Jesus.
This album is all about empowering the body of Christ to live in the truth that God has won the battle over sin and the enemy is defeated. “Unlock My Roar” and “Like A Lion” both represent the heart and passion Bashta has for seeing the Church grab hold of this truth. With lyrics like, “The gates of Hell will tremble when love becomes the anthem that we sing,” we are reminded of the power we have as followers of Christ. Singing with determination, “I am the sound, I have the voice, I am the movement, unlock my roar,” Bashta leads a chorus of voices in reminding us we are more capable than we realize. “My God’s not dead, he’s surely alive, he’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion,” shouts Bashta. “Let Heaven roar and fire fall, come shake the ground with the sounds of revival.” These are the words of a man fully on fire for God and His kingdom coming to earth.
Several tracks are more personal and purely worshipful, giving listeners a chance to reflect on their individual walks with God. “Potter’s Wheel”, “Pursuit” (featuring Bethel's Kim Walker), “Offering” and “With Everything,” are about making our lives reflect God and His will for us. After all, we can’t expect to reach others for Jesus if we ourselves aren’t seeking after Him and allowing Him to fill us.
With just the strumming of a guitar and strings in the background, “Heaven” is a beautiful song about asking God to make “heaven, come down.” Featuring Mac Powell of Third Day, this track is pure worship and contains a genuine desire for God to establish His kingdom here on Earth. Bashta sings, “I’m not looking for just another touch, I’m just looking for the real Jesus,” and as the chorus of voices join in, it’s obvious these lyrics come from a man seeking after God’s own heart.
Closing Thoughts:
With every song on this album, Daniel Bashta strives to break through the fog and haze that sometimes settles on the Church today. With each lyric, Bashta speaks truth to God and the enemy, calling the church to action. Believing that “worship with no action equals a dead God and dead faith,” Bashta desires to see this generation rise up and take back what we’ve allowed sin to destroy. This may not be your average worship album – full of praise and admiration – but what brings more praise to God than living a life fully alive for Him? My guess is Daniel Bashta would say nothing and after being infected with his contagious passion for living a missional life, I’d have to agree. A movement is brewing and Daniel Bashta is among those leading the charge. Let's join it!
An Epic Album Has Been Scripted | Posted August-22-2011
Icon For Hire may be a new addition to the roster of promising bands hitting the airwaves recently, but don’t let their freshman status fool you. Hailing from Decatur, Ill., this heavy pop/rock trio is already making waves with their debut release Scripted from Tooth & Nail Records. Just like front woman Ariel’s hot-pink hair, this band brings an unexpected pop of color to the rock scene.
The album opens with a quick “Overture,” featuring strings and electronic elements creating an epic and cinematic sound. This kind of production is woven throughout the entire CD, giving a depth and energy to every song. The sound is sometimes reminiscent of what you would hear on a RED or Fireflight album, which in my opinion puts Icon For Hire in good company.
First track “Theatre,” jumps right into things by letting listeners know there’s no pretending here. Ariel sings, “My life is a musical, I know how to put on a pretty pathetic show.” As Christians, we tend to think we have to look like we have it all together, but life isn’t about pretending. The more we try to be something we’re not, the more we’ll end up losing the person God created us to be. Knowing this, Ariel screams out, “I wanna burn this theatre down…I wanna live like I lost my script!” By the time this first song is over, it’s already obvious this band is about action, not apathy.
Going directly into the band’s first single “Make A Move,” listeners hardly have time to catch their breath before being hit again with the same message. The lyrics “Everybody’s so scared, we don’t wanna go there, we don’t wanna make a move…screaming in the dark while we just play our part,” shed light on the fact that we like to blame others for the problems in this world, and as a result, never take action ourselves. We’re always waiting on someone else to “Make A Move.” This is why in the chorus Ariel begs, “Somebody make a move, we all know what’s going on.”
“Get Well” is an anthem for anyone wanting to put pain and brokenness in the past. Ariel confesses, “We’re not happy until everyone knows we’re sick…I meant it when I said I want to get well.” The sad thing about human nature is that we’re sometimes willing to stay where we are just because it’s easier, even if that means never having the freedom Jesus died for us to have. This song reminds us that “we don’t have to live like this,” because God has much more for us. He wants to make us well.
Every great rock album needs a ballad to show the band’s ability to be diverse. “The Grey” and “Only A Memory” serve this purpose well. “The Grey” starts off with just piano and vocals, then slowly builds adding strings, guitars and percussion. We all have and will do things that cause us to question our relationship with God. These can be very dark and lonely times, making us feel confused and unsure of where we stand. Ariel questions, “How cold have I become, I didn’t want to lose you by what I’ve done, caught in the grey,” but God sings back, “In your deepest pain, in your weakest hour, in your darkest night, you are lovely,” providing the reassurance that we are His child, no matter what we go through. The first and last words of the song are the same – “I am standing on the edge of returning or just running away.” During these dark times we have a choice of who we run to, but God never leaves us.
The second ballad, “Only A Memory” seems to be about a past broken relationship that left a great deal of pain, but in the end Ariel is able to say, “You’re only a memory, this isn’t my identity,” making the distinction that life has its struggles, but they should not define us.
“Fight” and “Iodine”, as well as earlier track “Get Well” all touch on the subject of not staying complacent in our sin, but moving forward. Lyrics like “I don’t know how I got here, but I refuse to stay,” reiterate the fact that we want to get better, but our human nature has other plans. Ariel sings, “These conditions only cure when we prepare ourselves for war,” reminding us there’s a battle going on inside us and our sin won’t be destroyed without a fight. The lyrics “depression’s like a big fur coat, it’s made of dead things, but it keeps me warm,” are a perfect picture of the constant battle going on inside each one of us.
Final song on the album, “Pieces,” once again tells listeners that we have to do something about the struggles in our lives. Yes, God is big and can do great things through us, but we have a part to play as well. “The pieces won’t pick-up themselves ya know.”
Closing Thoughts:
Since Icon For Hire’s first single “Make A Move,” hit radio stations, I’ve been looking forward to hearing what else this trio has up their sleeves. I am happy to say Scripted does not disappoint. Not only does it have an explosive sound, but the lyrics are equally impactful, calling listeners to stop living lives of complacency. And this band doesn’t just sing about taking action, they encourage fans to join them in working with various social causes. I have to admit I’m not usually a big fan of girl fronted rock bands, but Ariel’s vocals are unique, passionate, and perfect for this record. Paramore fans will love this band and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing them in the live setting. It appears Icon For Hire has the whole package and I can’t wait to see what the future brings… possibly a “New Artist of the Year” nomination? I think so.
A Delightful, Soulful Surprise | Posted August-15-2011
Since a young age, William Matthews has had a passion for leading people into God’s presence through song. Over the past couple of years, he has seen this passion come to fruition by becoming a worship leader at Bethel Church in Redding, Calif. In addition, Matthews just released his first album, Hope’s Anthem, and as a result, he says, “Not only do we get to minister locally to our church here in Redding, but we get to impact nations with the good news of the kingdom.”
The first song on the album, “I’m Free,” starts things off with high energy and immediately grabs the listener’s attention. The song has a real bluegrass flavor by including banjos and piano, as well as foot-stomping and hand-clapping to keep the beat. The Southern feel combined with pop vocals is unexpected, but works well together. This is probably one of my favorite tracks on the album.
Both “I Just Want You More” and “This One Thing” calm things down a bit and serve to lead the Church in calling for God’s presence. The lyrics are extremely worshipful and easily promote quiet reflection on the need for God in our lives. In “This One Thing,” Matthews sings, “All I want is just your heart, yes I am living just to see your glory.” Whether used for the church during a worship service or in your own personal quiet time, these lyrics come from the heart.
“We Believe” could easily be an anthem for the church. By declaring “We believe” in what God has promised in His word, the Church can stand on the truth together as one body. This song, like all others on this album, are easy to understand and sing along to, making them accessible to churches and their congregations. I could definitely see churches, from a variety of backgrounds, taking a hold of these songs and making them their own.
Matthews praises God for his personal faithfulness in “So Good To Me,” and brings the energy back with a gospel and soulful sound. This song gets ya movin’ and anyone with a head to bob can’t help but sing along.
“He put a new song in my mouth and a crown upon my head, He gave me life forevermore,” proclaims Matthews. The lyrics in this song and “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” which quotes Psalm 23, are straight from scripture and contain truth of why God should be praised. With electric guitar, keyboard, and background vocals, Matthews could easily be featured on Mary Mary’s next album. Now that would get ya movin’!
“My Great Reward” and “Deep Cries Out“ really exhibit Matthew’s genuine passion for God and desire to lead the Church in praise. Listeners can sense Matthew’s heart for God while he sings, “Jesus you are my great reward, you are the prize worth living for.” His call for a deeper relationship with God is evident and infectious.
The album’s title track, “Hope’s Anthem,” aids in not only recalling God’s promises to us, but declaring our promises to Him. “I am steadfast, I will not be moved, I’m anchored, never shaken, all my hope is in you.” This song and the final track, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” leave the listener with hope, knowing God will do what He says and we can live with confidence and joy knowing this truth.
Closing Thoughts
“Hope’s Anthem” is a fitting title for this album, since each song is filled with hope and speaks God’s truth over His people, while praising Him for what He’s done and will do. Every lyric reminds us of God’s promises and helps us declare our praise for Him through song. While this album doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table lyrically, it’s clear Matthews has a heart for the Church and speaking truth into their lives. The sound on this album is more unique and soulful than your average worship CD, which is a definite plus.
Comprised of David Leonard (former lead singer of Jackson Waters) and fellow Know Hope Collective member Leslie Jordan, the newly formed worship duo All Sons & Daughters brings a unique and fresh sound to the worship scene.
I actually met David Leonard after a NEEDTOBREATHE concert more than a year ago, and he had told me worship was his passion. He wasn’t exactly sure how to put that into action--since Jackson Waters had disbanded and his stint with NEEDTOBREATHE was almost over--but he knew God had put that desire in his heart for a reason. Fast forward a few months later, and All Sons & Daughters was formed to bless the church with beautiful, honest worship. It appears God did have a plan and, as always, it was a good one.
“This is a call to all the dead and disappointed, the ones who feel like they are done; this is a word to all the ones that feel forgotten, that you are not.” These are the first lyrics to hit listener’s ears and as they do, it’s obvious this album’s sole purpose is to bring people into the presence of God. Proclaiming “We’re alive, alive, alive and we’re singing,” Leonard and Jordan’s harmonies combine to quietly, but fervently give praise where it’s due. Though only about two minutes long, this song is powerful.
“Let It Shine” should be the anthem of every church. With added energy, this song encourages listeners to allow God to reveal His glory through them, to “Come let it shine!” Jordan sings, “There are a million truths for every lie,” reminding that darkness doesn’t have a hold on us if we don't allow it. Near the end of the song, a choir even joins in, adding power to the truth being sung out: “This is the battle of our time now, we can’t afford not to cry out!”
Taking things down a notch, “All The Poor And Powerless” is the duo’s first single and one of my favorites. The beginning is organic and stripped down, giving the song a pure and honest feel. It allows the listener to focus on the words being sung and worship without distraction. Leonard and Jordan remind us that no matter who we are, one day when Jesus returns, “All will sing out hallelujah.”
As the song progresses and swells, more instruments and voices are introduced, proclaiming together, “Shout it; go on and scream it from the mountain, go on and tell it to the masses, that He is God!” Then, ending as it began, the duo’s heartfelt praises gently ring out.
The title track, “Brokenness Aside,” opens with Jordan asking God, “Will your grace run out if I let you down?” With captivating harmonies, the duo answers what they know to be true, “You are a savior and you take brokenness aside and make it beautiful.” The combination of piano, acoustic guitar, and occasional strings, create a peaceful ebb and flow throughout the album, adding complexity to the sound without overwhelm. The lyrics in this song, like all others on this EP are honest and genuine, coming from a place of true worship.
Once again, beautiful harmonies ring out in “I Am Set Free,” as the duo praises God for what He’s done in their lives. “It is for freedom that I am set free,” is a simple, yet complex lyric that reverberates throughout the song. When truly contemplated, lyrics like this are what make this album special. Pure and simple, each song carries a meaning and depth all its own. And it’s the added passion in the vocals of Leonard and Jordan that make the listener believe in what’s being sung and encouraged to make it their own truth.
Ending with “Your Glory,” praise overflows as the duo proclaims, “Glory glory hallelujah, Jesus You are good.” Simple and true, the theme of God’s worthiness of praise is woven throughout every song. These are songs meant for the church and can be sung during a worship service, small group Bble study, around a campfire, or alone in your bedroom. They can fit any environment and that’s the beauty of a good worship song. The lyrics and vocal arrangements are easy for people to sing along and follow, but at the same time, deep and meaningful.
Closing Thoughts:
Nothing about this album is over-produced or showy. This is worship in its purest form. The lyrics, music, and vocals are real and honest. Just as they sing, “The heartbeat of my life is to worship in your light,” it’s clear the worship duo known as “All Sons & Daughters” aim to do just that. Even though this EP only includes 5 songs, each has been carefully crafted to bring the listener into God’s holy presence. If this is what “All Sons & Daughters” can do in just 5 songs, I can’t wait to hear a full-length project. This kind of pure and simple worship is a refreshing step in the right direction.
When it comes to purchasing music, live albums are not usually at the top of my list. If I want to hear live music, I’ll just go to a concert. However, when I found out Thousand Foot Krutch was releasing a live album, I had to get it. Good thing I did.
A definite benefit of live albums is that they contain all of the band’s greatest hits and this one’s no exception. Filmed and recorded in their Canadian homeland, TFK rocked the faces off 20,000 fans at the Rexall Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, and gave concert-goers an experience they won’t soon forget.
Kicking of the show with “Welcome To The Masquerade,” frontman Trevor McNevan gets the crowd going right off the bat. With grungy guitars and beats that make you move, TFK has the uncanny ability to energize even the most introverted of fans.
With songs like “Move”, “Falls Apart”, “Scream” and fan favorite, “Rawkfist,” crowds young and old, big and small, can’t help but throw their fists in the air. Even the mellower songs including “What Do We Know” and “Already Home” have their place, refocusing the audience on the main purpose of TFK’s ministry: to give fans encouragement and empower them to be who God made them to be. Closing the show out with “Puppet,” TFK takes fans back to the band's beginnings and sends them off with ears ringing and fists pumping.
Listening to a live album is one thing, but actually being able to watch it firsthand from the comfort of your own home is another. You can literally experience a TFK concert without having to go through the hassle of purchasing tickets, finding the venue, jostling to see over the tall guy in front of you, and making the long drive back home. All can be achieved without even getting up from the couch.
The DVD itself is well-produced and conveys the live concert experience well. One benefit of a live DVD is the onstage aspects and angles cameras capture that you just can’t get from being in the audience. The visual effects displayed from stage during the show are awesome and even better live, I’m sure. Besides the usual lighting displays and background video that accompany most concerts these days, audiences get to experience some pretty awesome pyrotechnics. How can fire not be involved when performing a song titled “Fire It Up”? It just wouldn’t be right! It’s also fun to be able to see and hear the crowd participation throughout the live performance, making you feel like you’re a part of it.
I’m surprised Thousand Foot Krutch hasn’t made a live CD/DVD before now, but it was worth the wait. This is actually a great way to introduce future TFK fans to the band and get them excited to experience the music firsthand next time they roll through town. Whether you gather your friends or just rock out on your own, Live At The Masquerade is a great live album from one of the best live bands out there.
Closing Thoughts
Thousand Foot Krutch has been touring and playing in front of audiences in all sorts of venues for 15 years, so they know how it’s done and how to do it well. I’ve seen these guys live a number of times and they always put on a great show. Where other bands may not be able to replicate the sound heard on their records in the concert setting, TFK has no problem doing so. The vocals and instruments are spot on and sound just as good live, if not better. This live CD/DVD combo is great for TFK fans, especially those that love the live performance. However, nothing can beat actually being there, so if you haven’t seen these guys live, you’re missing out!
After four long years of anticipation, Blindside has released what is said to be their best album to date, With Shivering Hearts We Wait. Some fans even wondered if the band was still together, but after breaking from more than a decade of touring to spend time with family and re-energize, the Swedish natives are back at it.
“We just needed to break away from music for a bit because it starts to define who you are when you should be finding it in a higher purpose,” says frontman Christian Lindskog. It appears that break has done them and their music well.
The first track on the album, “There Must Be Something In The Water,” grabs your attention right away with dueling drums and guitars. This song, like several others on the album, showcases strings as an added element within the driving beats normally associated with rock albums. Songs like “My Heart Escapes” have poetic lyrics from which listeners are able to derive their own meanings, whereas “Monster On The Radio,” is pretty clear in its message. Christian shouts the chorus, “I’ll give everything I have and more to be a monster on the radio,” referring to the band’s temptation to put fame and popularity above the original purpose for their music. The electronic beats add a cool and unexpected sound to the song.
The first single released from the album--and one of my favorites--“Our Love Saves Us,” already has hit radio stations and is making waves. The song starts out with echoing electronic elements and then goes straight into driving drums, giving it a mysterious and haunting vibe. With lyrics like, “We won’t be forsaken, cuz’ we know what we’ve found, our love saves us, the river runs deep, but our spirits grow tall,” listeners are reminded that though life may drag us down, God is still holding onto us.
The title of the album is derived from the bridge of that song where Christian sings, “With shivering hearts we wait, we watch the sky, we hesitate, with shivering hearts we wait, I’m still holding on.” Though the music is haunting, the lyrics and message are extremely hopeful.
One of the hardest rock songs on the album is “Bring Out Your Dead,” which talks about letting go of the sin and evil we hide inside that keeps us from God. With grinding guitars, Christian sings, “To carry the smell of death is harder than it sounds… scared if I let it all out, you will know what I’m all about,” confessing that the fear of what others will think of us often overpowers our desire to be free. On the other hand, “Withering” professes the realization that God already knows our secrets and loves us anyway. Not confessing to Him is like “hide and seek with no point whatsoever.”
Closing Thoughts
The use of contrast by combining guitars, drums, strings, piano, and electronic elements creates impressive variety and depth of sound throughout the entire album. Each song is different and grabs your attention, preventing listeners from skipping over tracks. In keeping with the theme of contrast, Christian Lindskog’s voice is uniquely Blindside and effortlessly goes from singing to screaming in a way that no one else can. The tone of his voice is somber, yet hopeful at the same time, which echoes the reoccurring message of the album. Though the world may be against us, it doesn’t matter because God is for us. We may push Him away and resist His leading like the first track of the album implies. However, the final song on the record, “There Must Be Something In The Wind,“ concludes that in the end, we’re much better off if we give God control and stop fighting Him. Trusting God is the only way to get through life’s struggles.
Being a newer fan of Blindside, I’m not entirely sure how this album compares to the last five, but after having listened to it, I am definitely a fan for life. Welcome back, Blindside!
In many ways, Katelynne Cox is an average 16 year old. Growing up with divorced parents and a victim of high school bullying, she knows how it feels to not fit in. But instead of letting these experiences drag her down, Cox has used them to positively affect others who may be going through the same exact struggles.
Throughout her first full-length album “One Girl,” Katelynne Cox successfully mixes high-energy beats and soft guitar with fun, yet thought-provoking lyrics. The title track “One Girl,” is very catchy and this tune, like several others on the album, can be easily added to your dance party playlist.
The album’s first single slated to hit Christian radio stations, “Me,” contains poignant lyrics: “I can’t change all of my circumstances to what I want them to be, but somewhere in all of the madness, all You wanted to change was me.” Lyrics like this showcase the depth of Cox’s writing and personal experience at such a young age.
While several songs are purely about Cox’s relationship with God, several also pertain to everyday human relationships. The songs “Best Friend” and “Smile” deal with friendships and crushes, which make for a well-rounded album and a message to which younger listeners can relate. Cox adds her own twist to “Sticking With You,” previously recorded by Addison Road, which is a neat addition to the record.
Closing Thoughts
Katelynne Cox describes her sound as “positive pop with some throwback ‘80s guitars.” If you are a fan of Britt Nicole and similar artists, you’ll most likely enjoy this album. Some songs are just to provide a fun listening experience, while others are meant to encourage and empower. I’m looking forward to seeing Cox grow and progress as an artist in the future. In the end, the goal of the album is to remind listeners that even just one person can make a difference, and it does just that.
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