Rings Loud and Clear | Posted January-30-2008
There\'s just something about white guys who rap. True, there have been a few misses in the past (see Vanilla Ice, Buba Sparks, etc.) but the popularity of Eminem and Kid Rock has paved the way for a whole new wave of rap. tobyMac, KJ-52 and Ill Harmonics make my list as the \"powerhouse whities\" in Christian R&B/Rap. On Ill Harmonics\' second album, Take Two, Blake Knight and Playdough have allowed time and vision to develop into a stable and irresistible sound. On their first album, Another Octave Above, there was a lot of promise, but the smooth harmonies and layered vocals found on Take Two were simply nonexistent. This new album soars where the debut fell flat, and most of the highlights are in post production work that brings this album to form. The musical depth on this record elevate the seriousness of Ill to take their message to all who will listen. The subject matter definitely sets this album apart from their crotch-grabbing, basement emcees that rock the current music world. Make no mistake, Take Two rings loud and clear with the name of Jesus. The album also features guest appearances by DJ Maj, Freddie Bruno, Earthsuit, and Marcos of P.O.D.
Worth Every Penny | Posted January-30-2008
Joel Hanson, former frontman for the late great PFR, released his second independent solo project, Broken, and by doing so solidified my thought that Joel is one of the best songwriters out there. His musical style is as captivating, original and dynamic as ever and his lyrics are honest and forthcoming in their simplicity. Joel has always had the ability to blend driving music with lyrics that seem to be written in the most intimate of times and it's almost like he invites you into this personal time with him. It's obvious that Joel Hanson is continuing to be blessed with inspiration long after the demise of one of the most influential bands in Christian music. Broken is one of the few indie albums I've ever bought, and it was worth every penny.
One Catchy Tune After Another | Posted January-30-2008
The former frontman of PFR released an independent project that was one of the best releases of that year! Joel Hanson continues his simplistic but captivating style of writing on this 10 song CD that bridges acoustic and pop into one catchy tune after another.
A Stunning Tribute | Posted January-30-2008
After a long hiatus from the Christian music scene, Amy Grant returned to celebrate her 25th anniversary in Christian music with a beautiful hymns project filled with timeless, country-flavored arrangements of old favorites. Co-produced by Brown Bannister and Grant's husband, country legend Vince Gill, this album reminds me of another best-seller, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, which brought country & bluegrass back into mainstream acceptence. Fans of Amy Grant will definitly need to be prepared that this CD is different than previous efforts in two ways. First of all, this is country. Amy is in fact married to one of the biggest stars of country and the influence can't be missed. Second, there are no pop recordings. Fans of even Amy's first albums will be disappointed if they come looking for a great beat. This album is definitly presented as a reflection of our Christian heritage. The full orchastrations and arrangements are presented as the fullest picture possible to represent some of the most cherished hymns and chorasus. While Grant is in full form, you have to come expecting something different. Legacy is the perfect vehicle to bring generations together, so that grandmothers can share their early days in church with grandchildren who might only know praise choruses. Legacy is just that: a stunning tribute to these stately songs of our faith.
Return To Form | Posted January-30-2008
If you desire to know Amy better, all you need to do is listen to her music. Her lyrics throughout the years have told stories of love, broken hearts, hard times and on Simple Things, her eleventh studio album and seventeenth release, she returns full circle to sing of healing, forgiveness and happiness. Unlike her 1999 release, Behind The Eyes, which highlighted an incredibly dark and painful time in Amy's life, Simple Things finds Amy falling into the pure grace of God and reveling in a forgiveness that humanity will never be able to match. One of the most personal songs on the record happens to be one of only two songs that Amy didn't write, and it captures the heart of the album. She sing son "Innocence Lost," "I can be pure again / In spite of my innocence lost / In his eyes I'm a new born child / Cause I expect his love / I have a new found hope / For I found my innocence lost." For years, many in the Christian community have shunned Amy due to past decisions, but this record should help to continue the healing that Amy is obviously searching for in herself and from her fans. No one is better off and for her to go through the pains of life in front of all only to discover her faith stronger than ever before is the testimony we need to listen to and grasp a hold of. Simple Things is an album that everyone needs to experience and breath in. I hope you have that opportunity soon.
Their Debut Is Thier Best | Posted January-30-2008
FFH (Far From Home) brings us 13 songs to enjoy on their new album I Want To Be Like You. Talk about one moving album. Comparable to Avalon and a combination of 4Him and Point of Grace, this 4 person vocal powerhouse group (3 male / 1 female) sing their hearts out as they send chills down your spine with some intimate and emotional lyrics. The best song on the album is track number 4 which is the title track. Amazing.
Great Album With No "Big Fish" | Posted January-30-2008
FFH returns with more catchy melodies and inspiring lyrics on their second major studio release, Found A Place. This album contains many more ballads than their first release, but the quality of the writing definitely shines bright as member Jeromy Deibler puts pen to paper. Lyrics like "And I throw my hands up in the air/Here's my heart cause I don't care/What they say about me, I gotta praise" and "Lord move me in a way that I've never seen before" give this album a very vertical feel, much different than the first album. The results are a spirit lifting album that makes you reflect on who God is and how He is with us through good days as well as bad. One high note to mention: there is no "Big Fish" song on this album! I think that song "found a place" in the trash. But everyone misses at least once in their musical career, and from the looks of things, that's the only strike they are allowing to fly over the plate.
Worth The View | Posted January-30-2008
FFH's third album was Have I Ever Told You. Although they broke little ground on this album, they did deliverer the goods that many fans grew to crave. From the pop perfection on "Watching Over Me" to the powerful Easter themed ballad "On My Cross" Have I Ever Told You is a solid collection of tunes. Unfortunately, they did write a song that is worse than "Big Fish." The song "Astronaut" left me wondering how the producers ever thought it fit the theme of the album. It's almost like finding one weed in a bed of beautiful flowers. It's a silly melody that has lyrics to match the mood: "And I don't know that much about astronauts/But I know that Jesus cares an awful lot/He made the stars/He made the moon/Just think of how much more/He love you." Huh? Seriously though, it's rare to find an album that hits home every time, and the rest of this record is great. "We Sing Alleluia" could easily be fit into any Sunday morning worship set list and "I'm Amazed" speaks clearly of how God is bigger that we will ever be able to fathom. Definitely an album that is not necessarily "out of the world," but worth looking at the view.
An Impressive And Fun Debut | Posted January-29-2008
Remeber these guys? Back in February 2000, Sparrow Records released a special EP that contained the radio smash hit "Lifeboat." Well, almost a year and a half later, we got a full length album from The Elms, only to find an entirely new musical direction from the song that gave these guys a name. The Big Surprise (and I'm not joking) is downright Beatlemania, and it's not that bad! Catch tunes like "Hey, Hey" and "Who's Got The Meaning" will really give you a sense of what this band is all about. Their music is fun to listen to. Over the course of the album's ten tracks the band ranges from relentlessly catchy power pop like the previously mentioned "Hey, Hey," (Which may flash 70's rock fans back to gems like "Saturday Night" by Bay City Rollers and Badfinger) to the amped up arena rock of "A Minute To Ourselves." Warm guitars, buzzing amps, crystalline melodies and irresistibly catchy hooks run wild throughout this impressive debut.
One Of His Best | Posted January-29-2008
Jeff Deyo was the heart and soul behind the original Sonicflood, and Saturate continued where Sonicflood left off, providing a worthy follow-up record that fans did not see with Resonate. It's impossible not to listen to this record and be recaptured by the brilliance of the former frontman of the band that changed the face of modern worship. The album includes several dialogue interludes"prayers, sermonettes and the like. Although well-intentioned, these quickly become the CD's only weakness, tending to interrupt the praise flow more than they facilitate it. Still, the songs' music and passion more than make up for that minor detail. Jeff penned 9 new worship songs that included "Let It Flow" and "Satisfy." tobyMac also is arresting on background vocals for the blazing remake of "More Love, More Power." A surprising favorite is the orchestral-rock cover of the classic hymn "I'd Rather Have Jesus." Originally written in the 30's by Rhea Miller and Geaorge Shea, "I'd Rather Have Jesus" is a very rocking tune that keeps it's hymnal roots while still sporting a modern edge. This is done in what seems to be the new fad of redoing old hymns. Much like "Before The Throne Of God Above" from Sonicpraise. The album closes with a duet with Rebecca St. James on the song "Sing For You." There is simply not one miss on this album as each song provides great music and more importantly a great message. Jeff's latter albums have not come close to duplicating this release.
KevinMcNeese_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
