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...
A Mixed Mac | Posted August-22-2007
There's a reason why I call tobyMac the master of music, with his work with DC Talk and his incredible solo career. However, the Mac has some trouble here finding his solo identity. First off, 18 tracks is highly impressive, he must have been working on the CD for a few years. But there's one thing I noticed throughout the whole album, an identity crisis, he wanted to not be DC Talk with just one singer, he wanted to be different, this CD is trial, and some of it comes to be error.
There's about 4 highlights, "Somebody's Watching" is a great funky hip-hop track with a gospel singer on background vocals, and the whole track works well. "Love is in the House" is my favorite track being a fusion of rap and pop. "In the Air" is an unique song, being really part conversation set to a beat, and it works well. And finally, the first track, which is a great party song, and seems to be the only harder rock song I liked.
On the other hand, the rest of the songs either don't work i.e. "Irene", or are very hard rock or hip-hop i.e. "J-Train," "What's Goin' Down". If you like the hard rock group RED, you'll like the Mac here. Me? I think it's too over the top, in fact it's WAY over the top. The lyrics point to crimes that are downright disturbing. The problem here is that the album is going to appeal to a younger audience, what are they going to think of the second verse of "What's Goin' Down" where the story of "Susie" is recounted?
After the phenomenon that was DC Talk, Toby felt he had to get away from it as quickly as possible, so do a hard rock/hip-hop/rap record with very little pop. Obviously the experiment didn't work too well as Toby totally shifted away from the hard stuff, and went lighter. He finally found his identity with "Portable Sounds", this album on the other hand is better for I-Tunes.
Fact: Christmas Music Does Bad When Mixed With Hip-Hop | Posted August-22-2007
There's been some original Christmas albums over the year, and some great ones, Relient K, anybody? This one, even though it's two songs long, is the worst of them. There's a reason why not many people don't make Christmas rap songs, they don't work. This album is a prime example of that. The original song is not that great, in fact it's pretty bad for a Mac original.
"O Come All Ye Faithful" is a downright terrible version. Now I'm totally for rap/hip-hop, but not in Christmas music, it just doesn't work. What reason then is there to get this? None, tobyMac's worst effort yet. The master of music can't do Christmas. Sorry Toby.
Another Jeremy Is Great! | Posted August-20-2007
Jeremy comes full circle with this album, sure his first two albums were good, but they weren't great. The precedent is set with the first track, "Restored" , great modern rock, with even better lyrics. The great thing here is that Jeremy builds up to the chorus, and then delivers without disappointment. The lyrics only get better with "Take You Back", his big radio hit, and for good reason. This song sings God's promise to us take back his prodigal sons.
Even slower songs like, "Even When", "Be The One" and "This Man" are nicely crafted, and don't get boring for one second.
And did I mention his rock tracks? "Lay Down My Pride" is unique in that it starts slowly in the verses but then it quickly amps up when it hits the chorus. Great track, easily a highlight. My personal favorite is "Breathe", a track that rockets off, and never slows down.
The only lowlight is "My Desire", which has great lyrics, but I think it could have been executed better musically, although the background vocals by his wife are excellent. Overall, it's all uphill for Jeremy. He waded through the waters of the debut album, and suffered through the sophomore slump, but walks on water with this album. My love for Jeremy is restored, as if it was ever gone in the first place, after all, that's is a GREAT first name. Jeremy, I like the sound of it.
The Greatest Hits... Nearly | Posted August-18-2007
The hardest thing for an artist to do is release a greatest hits album. Do you pick fan-favorites? Most successful or popular? Best lyrics? Best music? Band's favorite? Nobody will end up totally happy. With this album, I think the band left out most of the fan-favorites. Where's the "Houseplant Song?" How about their magnificent cover of "Free Ride?" Don't tell me they left out "Clap Your Hands?"
Most are great selections for the band. But some of the new songs leave something to be desired. "Goodbye" is your standard goodbye song, maybe a little cliched, but hey, it's a goodbye song. And I thought "Blaze Of Glory" was a cover of the Bon Jovi song, where it came from I don't know, it's a cover of some other group I know. Weird addition. And for those of you who got the special edition, "Down In The Lowlands" is an excellent song. Mark Stuart is spotlighted on this song, and boy does he shine.
Overall, get the special edition if you're going to get the album. If you have the rest of Audio A's albums, download "Down In The Lowlands." It's a must have for any fan. Thanks Audio A, you'll be missed.
Almost As Bad As Stellar Kart | Posted August-18-2007
First off, how come it took this long to get a song about Myspace? The song is terrible like the site, but hey, at least they did a song about the site.
Eleventyseven is another one of those bands that my younger sister would love, but not a more mature person. I mean really, if you've heard one song off this album, you've heard them all. Listen to "More Than A Revolution", you've heard the album. Unless I just happened to miss a song, which is possible since I fell asleep.
The whole thing screams Jonas Brothers quality, from the immature voice, from the lyrics, to a sad excuse for punk music, this album is a good one to give to your little brother. Thinking of the album for yourself? Don't bother.
Note: I've heard "It's Beautiful", and it sounds like the band will take a giant leap musically in the next album. We can only hope. The album cover looks awesome anyways.
Mr. Wright Does It Right | Posted August-16-2007
After Mr. Wright's stellar debut album, his sophomore had high expectations. However, there are some changes. Mainly the limiting of genres. The debut had a colorful cornucopia of genres, half of the genres, or more, have been cut. Another interesting thing is there's not many songs you can compare to the debut, totally different. There's no songs like "Rock The Show" "You're Beautiful", or "Brighter".
The first five songs really take off on the beach theme introduced in the debut, and incorporate them in worship tracks, rap tracks, and in fact, the whole album would play nice at the beach. "Heaven" is the first, and one of the best tracks off the album. The song is catchy, great musically, and a real winner for Mr. Wright. I don't quite get the meaning of "Come Around", but it's a fast paced song sure to keep you tapping your feet.
Tracks 5-7 are some unique tracks in that I've never heard anything like them before. "Resurrection" is by far the weirdest, with a just plain weird. It's hard to tell if it works, but it's not one of those songs that isn't going to make you feel rosy. I'm not saying it's a bad song, it's just very different. In this section is also a great hidden track, "Burrito Boy". Think it sounds rude? Well, if you eat at Taco Bell with any regularity, then you'll love the song.
The last three songs lean more to the style of the first few tracks, and "Surfah Girl" is easily one of the highlights of the album. "Thank You" is also a great worship song, improving from the worship song he did on the debut.
Overall, besides tracks 5-7, this album is pretty darn good. A little short, and a little weird in the middle, but Mr. Wright still knows how to make music. I just wish he could've had more songs with other types of music.
Wait... | Posted August-14-2007
I don't get it. How is it that that it's two weeks till this album released, yet it has 15 reviews? And has a average rating of 5 stars? I will never get the hardcore Casting Crowns fans. Even I'm not reviewing the upcoming Relient K before it releases. And if I do, somebody please slap me. If this isn't totally misleading, I don't know what is. And I still think Casting Crowns is totally overrated and their radio single of this album sucks like a vacuum cleaner! Oooh, I'll get hate mail for that.
Paul Wright Is The Freshest Christian Artist In Quite Some Time | Posted August-13-2007
I first heard Mr. Wright on 90.5 Spirit FM in Tampa, Florida when I was living in nearby Lakeland. I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life, and I remember walking around my quiet suburban neighborhood praying while listening to "You're Beautiful". This song and Shawn McDonald's "Gravity" helped me get through a tough period in my life. After listening to a few other songs off the record, I decided to support the artist that helped me through.
The aforementioned song is as it's name says, beautiful. A magnificent song, and easily the top song of 2003. Paul brings emotion into his songs like no-one else. This is probably best showcased in "Mommy, Where's Daddy?", which apparent to it's title, is about the effects of separation on a child. Wright weaves a delicate balance of being emotional, but keeping your attention the entire time.
The great thing about Mr. Wright is that he can't be fit into a genre. This album has them all, pop, hip-hop, rap, reggae, worship, acoustic rock, and various other styles. The great part? They all work. Another great thing? They're fusioned. In the case of "Your Love Never Changes", which is rap and pop, it works brilliantly. "Rock The Show" is another great upbeat dance tune, sure to rock your socks off dancing, the Lightheaded re-mix is even better.
And even though he's from Seattle, Paul has a heavy beach influence about him, as showcased in "South Beach" and "Flip Flops". I don't know of anybody else that does the types of songs that Mr. Wright does, and if they do, I'm willing to bet they don't do it as well.
The rest of the songs are excellent. In fact, this whole album is like a rare bunch of bananas, the type that is totally ripe, and every last bite is as flavorful and savory as the first. Don't believe me? Buy it for yourself. Mr. Wright is an underrated fresh blend in the world of Christian music. A musical smoothie sure to delight. This in my book is one of the top 3 debuts of all time. And it's one of the tops in my CD collection. I hope it will be yours too.
My Only Mistake In Purchasing An Album | Posted August-13-2007
What to do with $15 in birthday money? You're at Wal-Mart and you have the choice of Joy Williams' "Genesis" or Big Daddy Weave's "What I Was Made For". You've heard a couple of songs off both albums, and like them. What did I choose? Well, I thought buying Joy Williams would be embarrassing and not "manly" enough, so I said hello to the Big Daddy, and some bubble gum.
Big mistake. There's only 3 1/2 songs I like, and one is a Wal-Mart exclusive live song of "Neighborhoods". With that song, I think the Big Daddy should make a live record.
The album starts off well, "What I Was Made For" is a great rockin' song, and the band's best. "You're Worthy Of My Praise" is a great modern worship song, and Barlow Girl's best duet (that Selah one was just gosh darn awful). I also like Fred Hammond's part in "Killing Me Again". I think he has great lyrics in his part, and his short part in the track is better than all the tracks I haven't mentioned off this album, combined!
That's right, the rest is pretty bad. After a couple of songs, the album becomes VERY formomatic. Other songs are just poorly constructed, and poorly executed. And even after reading the explanation to "The Track Of Silence", I still think it's an excuse to lengthen the album, so it actually seems like you're getting your money's worth. You're not.
Overall, another bad formomatic album for the Big Daddy. I would recommend only buying the songs I mentioned off the Wal-Mart MP3 store to get the bonus track. Sorry Big Daddy, try a live record.
The Best Mainstream Rock Band Since Nickelback | Posted August-12-2007
Note: I've only heard the radio singles.
First off, the headlining statement I made isn't saying much. Not that I listen to mainstream rock that much, but most are one-hit wonders. Fall Out Boy being an exception, but really, their lyrics suck, and their live sound is one of the worst in the history of music.
So the first track, kind of weird with the name "It's Not Over". But as far as lyrics are concerned, not much to say, in fact, the whole song seems familiar, the whole feel, another rock song about a relationship. Original? Hardly. It works for the happy with the packaging music fan, but leaves something to be desired for the rest of us.
"Home" is a great track, considering it came from a mainstream band. It really fits American Idol well, since it was written about coming home after the famous show. I'm not against the song going to Christian radio, just like I wasn't against "The Fray" doing the same. But I ask, what's the point? It's an interesting thought though, mainstream bands thinking enough of us Christians to support their music enough? We might actually be gaining credibility in mainstream circles. Interesting thought, good song.
"Over You" is another good song, not great but good. It won't be as popular as his other songs because it's different from the other rock tracks, I think in a good way. But, as always, I could be wrong.
Overall, I'm not going to be buying this album. Surprised? Daughtry has a great voice, and better lyrics than most mainstream bands, but hey, they're still mainstream, and don't offer us Christians enough. So my recommendation would be to get "Home" off of LimeWire, that's how I did it. And I'm not giving mainstream any of my money.
Side Note: Kudos to "moviestarjonyu" you beat me to putting Daughtry to the wide database of NRT. Spend the two points well. However, at least when I copied artist info from Wikipedia I took out the reference numbers i.e. [1]. You might want to change it, just for the sake of seeming professional.
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