Vagabonds
by
The Classic Crime The title to The Classic Crime's latest long player implies a certain need to travel; and while the alternative rock act is no stranger to touring, the inspiration actually comes from a more missions-minded...
Eternity Invades
by
Vicky Before UK born and bred singer/songwriter, Vicky Beeching, began her pursuit of professional music she enrolled as a theology student at Britain's renowned Oxford University to ensure her spirit-led songs...
Miracle
by
Robbie Seay Band Quick disclaimer: What I don't mean to say is "if you've heard one Robbie Seay Band album, you've heard them all." At the same time, RSB's latest batch of worshipful pop/rock tunes, entitled Miracle, features...
EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER | Posted September-29-2008
Natalie Grant’s latest album, Relentless, is a reminder why she wears the crown of top female vocalist in the Christian industry. From the opening strains of the first track to the achingly simple refrain of the last, this 11-song power-packed emotional roller coaster succeeds at making familiar ideas fresh, compelling and emotive.
The pure emotion with which Grant delivers each song indicates she is coming more into her own, not only as an artist, but as a woman, a mother, and daughter of God. “Better Hands” captures the essence of a soul lost in self-doubt, and yet saved in the power and sovereignty of a savior. Another standout presentation of compelling, yet familiar language and gripping delivery lies in “Our Hope Endures;” Grant should be commended for becoming a vessel of the power of Christ to look on human frailty and folly and shine through with the power of an all-sufficient King.
With a solid package of truth, soul, incredible musicianship and production that is at times overbearing, but overall, well-balanced, Relentless earns a spot as an important contribution to the musical world and the body of Christ. -Caroline Lusk
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
NO SOPH SLUMP HERE | Posted September-29-2008
Listening to Leeland’s Opposite Way, it’s hard to choose which stands out most: front man Leeland Mooring’s unhampered vocal; the band’s strong collective songwriting; or the blasts of energy from beginning to end. Utilizing the talent ambitiously, producer Matt Bronleewe (Michael W. Smith, Natalie Imbruglia) guides the men of Leeland over the sophomore slump to a stellar second release.
After selling more than 100,000 copies of its 2006 debut, and garnering Grammy and Dove Award nominations, Leeland could have easily cozied up with more accommodating subject matter attempting a Top 40 break-in, a typical route for a band with such mainstream musical sensibility. Instead taking a lead from the album’s title track, the rock quintet solidifies its firm worship element with a call to live out authenticated faith.
A list of obvious influences marks Opposite Way, but none overt enough to warrant a distinguished comparison. In fact, it’s rare for something so accessible to be quite so advanced. Specific lyrically and progressive musically, Opposite Way is effective top to bottom. Leeland may be a young band, but they possess the raw talent and energy to create something truly original for this industry. - Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
BESTS THE DEBUT IN EVERY WAY | Posted September-29-2008
Think of the career trajectory of Switchfoot: If you need a reference point for the musical progress of The Afters from the band’s debut to the follow-up, Never Going Back To OK, that’s a good place to start. Just as Jon Foreman and company moved from the fun and formulaic radio rock of their early days to the creative musical force they’ve shown themselves to be, so The Afters seem to be headed in the same impressive direction.
“The Secret Parade” establishes new levels of musicianship, cohesion, production and experimentation from the outset. Familiar trends follow with a title track that could easily be an outtake from the debut. Still, “We Are The Sound” and “Falling Into Place” maintain the buoyant spirit amidst new and uncharted sonic waters. The result is an edgier band that manages to maintain secure melodic footing.
The band speaks of obvious spiritual themes on Never Going Back To OK, but it’s clear there’s a musical statement being played just as loud as the lyrics. The Afters seemed to hold all the right cards after a stellar debut, and this album is better in every way. - Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
WE NEED SANCTUS REAL | Posted September-29-2008
The fourth time is the charm for the always positive, always uplifting Sanctus Real. We Need Each Other is more than just the band’s best release; it is one of the most melodic Christian pop albums to come along in quite some time. Radio has always been all over Sanctus Real, and this hook-filled hit fest will be no exception. The album opens strong with the rocker “Turn On The Lights,” which immediately hits the listener with an amazingly catchy guitar riff that will seer itself into the brain. The band flows effortlessly between these rocking riffs, contemporary pop and modern worship. The stunning production and the band’s flawless performance permeate this release from start to finish. The title track is a brilliantly written pop anthem that will move you and have you singing along. This is one of those songs that does not come along very often, with an unforgettable melody and a chorus that will put this at the top of your Most Played list.
The only thing more powerful than the music and the hooks on We Need Each Other is the message. Frontman Matt Hammitt and the band have come a long way as songwriters, and the lyrics are powerful and mature. The song “Sing” is yet another smash anthem which brings the overall theme that the band is trying to convey to light saying, “Sing, oh, sing with one voice. How sweet it will be when we sing, One church under one King, and we will sing!” The message here is clear, as Christians and as people we need each other. The Church needs to come together as one to unite in Christ and we definitely need artists like Sanctus Real to help convey this message of unity through artful pop hooks and heartfelt anthems. - Dr. Tony Shore
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
WHERE FAITH COMES FROM | Posted September-29-2008
If Jared Anderson wanted his audience to figure out where his faith comes from by listening to his latest project of that very title, he just might have fallen short. While the album is filled with solid, positive songs of worship, it suffers from a lack of depth, creativity and originality. Cliché lyrics are rife throughout each track: “Your love is better than life”; “I want to be with You where You are”; “All I want is you…,” for example. And where the lyrics do become somewhat less familiar, they become somewhat stranger: “I’ve slayed the dragons like immortal Frodo Baggins…”
That’s not to say that there are no strong points to the album. It truly does deliver several statements of faith, obedience and a desire to be in God’s presence. But the unfortunate lack of contrast—from the real, tangible struggles of life to the more intangible desires of the heart—makes it somewhat unconvincing.
Musically, the album doesn’t break any new ground. The chord patterns are largely predictable, and the production is solid, yet underwhelming. On more than one track, listeners might find themselves trying to place where they’ve heard that particular lick, rhythm or melody before.
For sure, the faithful heart of Jared Anderson comes through on this album. But the musical quality indelibly suffers from a lack of serious soul-searching and risk-taking. Anderson may know where his faith comes from, but he fails to relate it clearly on this project. - Caroline Lusk
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
ABANDONED TO YOU | Posted September-29-2008
In 2001, RE:ZOUND was awarded the prestigious title of MTV’s No. 1 undiscovered band. Since then, the Arizona-based band has been garnering a fan base among both U.S. and international locales due to its unprecedented schedule of touring, writing and recording. During that same time, they also managed to obtain three R&R Top 20 singles. Now, with their first Vertical Shift Records release (distributed through EMI CMG), they are ready to take the next step toward becoming a household name. If Abandoned To You is any indication, then it will not be a difficult goal for the band to accomplish.
This is a well-crafted album, both musically and lyrically. Although reminiscent of such bands like Collective Soul and Creed, RE:ZOUND proves they also have a distinct sound. The songs range anywhere from guitar-driven rock anthems to modern worship hits.
As the title of the record indicates, complete abandonment to God is the underlying theme. Along with some excellent instrumentation, the band offers some of the most poignant and thought-provoking worship songs recorded within the last few years. With songs like “Beautiful” and “35 Weeks,” this is a band that is destined to make an impact on listeners everywhere. - Paul Durham
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
GREATER THAN US ALL | Posted September-29-2008
New artist Daniel Doss and his band burst onto the scene with Greater Than Us All. Vocally, think a mixture between Bart Millard (MercyMe) and Chris Tomlin sung in the style of Steven Curtis Chapman. The similarities are especially evident on the third track, “Hold On,” which describes the freedom in which God generously gives His love. Doss sings “Hold on/Lay your weary head upon my shoulder.” Front and center of the album is the pure and honest worship conveyed through the music and song.
Greater Than Us All finds a comfortable combination of fast, medium and slow tunes pairing the pertinent music with insightful and worshipful lyrics. The disc has the ability to continue to get better and better with every listen. Each listen reveals a new snippet of music that perhaps the listener didn’t catch previously. Doss’ music does indeed have the ability to crossover into different parts of your day lending itself to be the soundtrack of your Christian walk. - Jonathan Isaac Harms
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
GREAT GOD WHO SAVES | Posted September-29-2008
Atlanta-based singer/songwriter and worship leader Laura Story’s compelling label debut deserves an extended hearing by traditional and modern worship music listeners alike. Expounding the intricacies of faith with poise and charm, the artist draws significant inspiration from a recent personal crisis. Only one year after marrying her childhood sweetheart, Story’s husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Somehow Story manages to trust God through the deep waters, and through the pain she reveals a decidedly intimate musical offering.
From the country-inflected title track to the redemptive piano-driven ballad “Grace,” the whole project resonates with organic warmth evocative of a young Nichole Nordeman. At times, Story’s arrangements are strikingly minimalist, as evidenced on delicate song “Perfect Peace.” Elsewhere, though, buoyant cuts like “Bless the Lord” and current radio single “Mighty to Save” radiate with reverential timbre.
Story also unveils a goose-bump-inducing version of mega anthem “Indescribable,” a hymn she penned that initially gained popularity when Chris Tomlin released it in 2004. Of course, today the song is a modern worship fixture in churches around the world.
As soothing as a cup of herbal tea after a hectic day, Story’s debut should serve as a cathartic achievement for the artist and a rewarding gift to listeners. - David McCreary
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
ADDISON ROAD | Posted September-29-2008
With two indie albums and an EP to its credit, Addison Road entered the studio with Chris Stevens (tobyMac, Sanctus Real, Mandisa) for its latest offering.
The female-fronted band conjures a defining, driving sound from the very first downbeat. Most of the 10 tracks are upbeat anthems of exhortation and encouragement. Lyrics are simple and direct, which is fine for concert sing-a-longs, but those looking to dig into more heady territory might be bored.
Too often Addison Road falls back on well-traveled metaphors and overused Christianese like “You are my shelter from the storm” and “Your love has set me free,” which fumble otherwise likable tracks. The infectious “Sticking With You” features a whimsical background chorus of "Ohs" that gives the raw rock tune a West Coast, Beach Boys/Shins gloss. The raucous "It Just Takes One" is a call to action, one of many on this disc, which urges listeners to live out their faith to impact the world.
It’s not until a little further down the track list that the listener gets a break from the aggressive, staccato rhythms that the band is so fond of. Sonically speaking, the electric guitar and the drums often sound as if they are battling for the spotlight, rather than harmoniously sharing the stage. The result resembles a shouting match of instruments.
But songs like “Hope Now,” “Start Over Again” and “Run” redeem Addison Road. These tunes begin languidly and build into sweet, sweeping finishes. Here the production is deftly wrapped around her voice, allowing her beautiful, plaintive falsetto to shimmer and her low end to resonate. If the other tracks had followed suit, Addison Road may have hit its stride. - Lizza Connor
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
LOVE OUT LOUD | Posted September-29-2008
Her first studio album since 2005, Love Out Loud has been hailed as Jaci Velasquez’s “comeback album.” Indeed, the beloved Latin singer sidestepped the spotlight in 2005 and left many fans wondering when she would sing again.
With Love Out Loud, Jaci makes a strong return to the music circuit, offering several promising singles. “Nothing But Sky” resounds with her signature vocal and an utterly singable chorus, which Jaci says, “reflects the journey I have been on and where I am today.” Other notable tracks are “Jesus (The Way),” where delicate vocals carry the worship ballad and “A Likely Story,” a sweet narrative of Velasquez’s courtship with husband Nic Gonzalaz from Salvador. Jaci’s husband also joins her on “Por Escrito,” which offers listeners a breathtaking Spanish duet between the two. As the strongest and most daring track, it showcases their strong vocals, backed solely by a simple Latin-inspired guitar. Unfortunately, the zesty “Tango” is a bit too daring, with a chorus that says, “I think it’s time to tango/oh, oh/Sometimes you need to tango.” Even with its fiery Latin sound and Jaci’s sultry vocal, the song is oddly out of place on the otherwise strong disc.
Still, fans will most likely be delighted with the fresh songs from Love Out Loud. - Grace Cartwright
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
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