A Lush and Vibrant Worship Offering | Posted April-21-2017
Music newcomer Sajan Nauriyal steps onto the musical scene at a perfect time. His blend of accessible electronic pop is big on both mainstream and Christian radio right now, and the songs on Always Enough blend seamlessly into the current sonic landscape.
Cuts like the title track and "Glow" are infectious and poppy, but the lyrics are as about as vertical as you can get. "Yours" is an album highlight, balancing hauntingly beautiful backdrops with peppier hooks and a commanding, worshipful vocal performance. The song as a whole feels destined to be a single.
As nice as the poppy beats are, it's usually when Nauriyal steps into a more contemplative and stripped down territory that the artistry shines the brightest. "Guide" is driven more by acoustic guitar than synths, and the contrast offers a fitting chance to chill amidst the foot-tapping, which is fitting for a song proclaiming "Gave your life to take my fault / so in storm, I will have peace / so come the storm, I'll still believe."
"Fire" is another effective laid-back offering, a slow-builder that ultimately culminates in a satisfying worshipful finish. There's not much new musical ground broken here, but Sajan Nauriyal has taken some of the current popular sounds of pop and worship music out for a very personal and engaging spin.
The Bottom Line: With accessible hooks and melodies that can compete with much of what's on the radio, in Always Enough fans of Christian pop and worship will find another artist to keep an eye on.
Dance Rock Reimagined | Posted March-03-2017
Fans are used to hearing remix projects released, pop or rock projects turned into dance albums. But how about an EP that goes the other way?
Straying ever farther from their hard rock roots, Innova was Fireflight's foray into a dance and rock fusion. The cleverly titled Re-Imag-Innova EP takes a selection of the best of Innova and reimagines these songs as soft pop and borderline AC hits. Dawn Michele's strong vocals get to showcase their softer side throughout the EP, complemented by lots of piano and strings that make the songs a lot more radio friendly. It's hard to deny that Michele's vocals suit this style very well, and the originals still exist for the rockers and dancers.
"Resuscitate" sounds great as a more reflective entry, arguably better than the original, which never really clicked as a rock song for me. Michele is better able to sell the plea for God to breathe life back into us with this version. On the other hand, "Safety" was one of the original album's strongest cuts, and it doesn't seem to work quite as well as a more restrained ballad (or without the impeccable guest vocals of Stephen Christian). "Keep Fighting" and "Out of My Head" fare better in the transition, revealing some deeper and vulnerable aspect of the lyrics that might not have quite come through on the originals.
The Bottom Line: These reimaginings are an intriguing perspective on high-quality songs. Even if the results shine better on some songs than on others, Re-Imag-Innova is well worth a listen overall.
Roaring Onto the Scene | Posted February-23-2017
Feeling like a lost treasure from a Tooth & Nail Records time capsule from the late 2000's, Hearts Like Lions wields an edgy, raw rock sound with piercing vocals many bands eschew nowadays. Hearts Like Lions would have felt at home with bands like Ivoryline back in the day, and fit well with bands like Artifex Pereo now.
Boasting a crisp intensity that rarely lets up, cuts like "You're On Your Own (Enough)" and "Make Your Move" hit hard with a fierce blend of melodies, harmonies, riffs, and roaring vocal lines fitting of the band's name. "Thank You Very Little" feels like a centerpiece to the album, with a chorus that reappears later on, serving as a bit of a counterbalance to the energy of the rest of the album.
Thematically, the band tackles issues relevant to youth: honesty, integrity and the power of words. These are familiar topics, but nonetheless important. I do wish there were a few songs that stood out from the pack, as it's easy to get one song mixed up with another at times. But there is an abundance of rocking talent going into this, and it's easy to come away excited for what they will do next.
The Bottom Line: With If I Never Speak Again, Hearts Like Lions succeeds in delivering a sound increasingly missing from the Christian rock scene, launching themselves on a promising trajectory.
Christmas Music for Grinches | Posted December-13-2016
Christmas music is one of the most popular genres of music out there, which means that there are those who feel oversaturated and struggle to enjoy it. But such people shouldn't be left out in the proverbial cold this time of year, should they? Vocal Few is here to help.
The duo of The Classic Crime vocalist Matt MacDonald and his wife have a growing body of acoustic works under their belt, and this holiday EP of sorts fits well in their reflective traditions. In lieu of covers of the standards or festive party numbers, the 5 originals that comprise this EP all take a more quiet approach to the season.
Opening track "Ice Storm 2008 (Merry Christmas)" sings of making the best of a blizzard, while "Cheers to Your Holiday" is the closest these songs get to a traditional Christmas song, offering encouraging warm wishes to the listener's holiday festivities.
The middle tracks explore some slightly darker territory, tackling feelings of loneliness and self-worth. These are tracks with MacDonald's signature introspective lyrics, and they require a lot more musical digestion than your standard Christmas fare. Musically, the guitar and simple melodies are surprisingly catchy, and the inclusion of bells actually makes the songs feel ironically Christmassy.
The Bottom Line: Those wearied by the corporate Christmas music machine but don't mind a few sleigh bells have a new EP to latch onto through the Yuletide madness.
Christmas is the Time for Covers | Posted December-09-2016
There's only one time of year when artists can release albums and EPs filled entirely with songs others have sung many times before: Christmas time. Christmas projects are borderline rights of passage. 7eventh Time Down already had one under their belt from just a few years ago, and now they have another. Unlike A Christmas Wish List however, Christmas is the Time focuses on classics rather than originals.
For the first half of the EP, the cover approach works out well. Their rendition of "Angels We Have Heard On High" is infectious and energetic, and it would sound great live. The title track is a cover of the Billy Squire classic "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You." The song itself is a popular staple of many holiday playlists, but it hasn't seen a surplus of cover versions like some comparable songs from the era. The band does the tune a serviceable update that honors the original.
Unfortunately, the last two songs fall somewhat into the "over saturation" category. There's nothing inherently weak with either performance, but nothing really sets them apart from the multitude of other versions either. With the exception of an interesting finish to "White Christmas," I was left longing for something to make these more the band's own.
This EP is best viewed as a supplement or expansion of their previous holiday EP and less as a collection to be spun on its own. Overall though, Christmas is the Time offers some enjoyable contributions to CCM Christmas music.
The Bottom Line: Enjoyable and catchy, the Christmas is the Time EP offers a familiar but quality musical expression of Christmas joy.
Song to Download Now:
"Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Transform Your Indie Rock Collection | Posted December-07-2016
Banish the notion that indie rock can't be big and cinematic. With their new album Transformer, In the Verse takes listeners on an exciting ride down musical trails blazed by influences like Skillet, Red and Pillar, among others. The fingerprints of Christian rock staples abound, yet there's an original mix to it all that makes the album fresh.
Transformer is noticeably less polished than much of Christian rock, which helps each individual part stand out more. The intensity of the rock serves as a great contrast to beautiful piano moments ("Dying Words," "Already Are," "Alone") and calm techno hooks (such as in emotional album opener "Compassion"). Without over-mixing, you can truly appreciate the merit of the dynamic musical range. The music consistently hits hard, with the vocals doing their job to drive the passion behind the words.
The title track is one of the album highlights, exemplifying the best of the album's strengths. It might be easy to wonder what a Skillet-level production style could have done for these songs, but at the same time, it's the rawness of the music that makes it work. It's still a full and lush rock experience, with moments to headbang combined with chilling softer piano solos. "Mid-life's Night" is the closest the album gets to a full-blown ballad, and even this is still pretty energetic and is a definite catchy and engaging number.
I expect nothing but great things in the future for In the Verse. With rock not currently the most "trendy" thing in Christian music, it's refreshing to hear that some bands can still rock unapologetically while still being in touch with their softer side. Don't expect even a hint of watered-down lyrics here. Everything on Transformer is blunt, honest, Christ-centered lyrical meat. It's really great when everything in an album just clicks.
The Bottom Line:Transformer is a strong musical accomplishment, a rewarding and energetic musical success that adds a worthy contribution to the body of Christian Rock.
The Voice to Serenade Your Christmas | Posted November-14-2016
Marc Martel has one of the most treasured voices in CCM, and now the former Downhere frontman is getting in on the season's flurry of Christmas EPs. The Silent Night EP is a collection of traditional carols set to Martel's signature vocals, with a new version of his signature original "How Many Kings."
Two of the tracks, "O Come Emmanuel" and "O Holy Night," have been released in the past few years as singles. The former is an emotional take on the traditional Advent hymn, with Martel's vocals driving it to new heights. The track builds to a passionate and climactic bridge that feels like it always should've been part of the song. The latter is a more straightforward adaptation, reverent and powerful. That's the real pattern of this EP: the music is intricate, but it doesn't try to get in the way.
The Silent Night EP is driven by Martel's passionate vocals. Whether it's a straightforward delivery or a retooling such as "In The Bleak Midwinter," Martel pounds home some of the most emotional modern renditions of these classics you'll ever hear. With Martel, he doesn't just sing; he infuses every note with himself.
The third version of "How Many Kings" (done twice previously by Downhere) follows the simplicity of the other songs, while offering a less cinematic and more electronically driven musical backing. Still, don't expect a dance/pop version. The synths are restrained and the beat is simple, allowing the vocals and the powerful message of the song to truly resonate. No matter how many times I hear this song, it never ceases to amaze me how much of a Christmas classic it is. While I still probably prefer the originals, this new version definitely offers a strong new impression.
The Bottom Line: Every track on The Silent Night EP is a worthy rendition, and Martel is still one of the best voices in the business. Check this one off as a must-hear for the Christmas season this year.
A Humble Musical Offering | Posted November-07-2016
After a successful debut record on Word Records coupled with opening up Winter Jam, what's usually next on the list? Often, a Christmas EP. It's officially a trend, and We Are Messengers is the latest to get in on the Yuletide action.
Taking a refreshing approach, almost all of God With Us' 4 tracks (really 3 full songs and an interlude with lyrics) is an original. Only the intro track is a standard, and it makes itself stand out with an original chorus. "From Heaven To Earth (Joy to the World)" gives the classic carol some new life that makes it feel right at home with the originals.
The title track is primed for radio during the season of lights and festive sweaters with a big chorus and clappable hooks. "Christ Our King" might take the title of album highlight with its chilling piano hook and artsy chorus.
Darren Mulligan should be proud of this humble Christmas offering. It doesn't come as flashy as many Christmas EPs or full-lengths, but its focus on originals and the real reason for the season makes its impact all the stronger.
The Bottom Line: A definite case of quality over quantity, We Are Messengers have offered a strong Christmas EP that should fit well into your Christmas playlists.
The Musical Voyage of the Year | Posted November-01-2016
All aboard the best rock release of the year that you've never heard of. We saw top-notch albums from the faces of Christian rock this summer, and they were fantastic (Skillet may still hold the crown for my personal favorite of the year for Unleashed), but there's one more gem 2016 has to offer--and you probably know nothing about it.
Theocracy is one of the industry's best-kept secrets. With a huge fanbase in Europe and a radical approach to the power metal scene, Theocracy has an instantly recognizable presence with a musical style largely underappreciated in the United States. Theocracy is slowly changing the perception that metal always means gruff screaming through at least half the song. You'd be hard-pressed to find a droplet of vocals that aren't entirely crisp, and yet the riffs and thunderous drums can melt faces with the best of the Solid State roster.
The ferocity of cuts like "Paper Tiger" and "The Wonder of It All" is nothing short of intense, and the energy rarely lets up through the 10 tracks on Ghost Ship. But melodic choruses that could rival any pop outfit drive even the heaviest of tracks, and slower tracks like "Currency in a Bankrupt World" and "Around the World and Back" prove even catchier still. The former just screams classic rock goodness with its slick guitars against soaring melodies. The latter is almost tender at times, arguably Theocracy's take on a power ballad--a stark contrast to the intensity, but not surprising for fans of Theocracy who know of the band's dynamic extremes.
If your fists aren't pumping to the gang-vocals of "A Call To Arms," nothing will get them moving. The title track welcomes all the misfits for the musical journey of a lifetime, and "Wishing Well" mixes a medieval sounding synth opener into a signature Theocracy romp. There's no song lacking a heart-melting chorus full of delicious harmonies. Piano and orchestral effects back the guitar solos and drumquakes many times throughout the album, giving it a truly full feel.
Epic album-closer "Easter" personifies what it means to be an epic album-closer. Previous albums were full of tracks that exceeded the 7-minute mark. One noticeable quality of this new offering is that almost all the tracks pull back in that area. "Easter" is the lone exception, clocking in at nearly 10 minutes, most of which comes from the bombastic instrumental interlude in the middle. But far from a disappointment, "Easter" is one of the most rousing retellings of the Easter story ever set to music.
Theocracy is a dynamic band and vocalist Matt Smith is an extraordinary vocalist. Whether it's driving harmonies, gritty rock, or soothing soft and reflective moments, Smith nails it all. And "Easter" gives us all of the above in a single 10-minute epic smash of a track. The worshipful chant of the chorus captures every ounce of the joy of the resurrection.
When you get Theocracy, you won't get even a hint of watered down lyrics. Theocracy is bold about their faith and will pull no punches in calling out believers and unbelievers alike on hypocrisies and failings. "Paper Tiger" calls out our victim culture, while "Wishing Well" calls out those paying lip service to problems instead of working to fix them. But it's not all admonition: there's plenty of hope and encouragement as well. The theme of the album is Christ being a home for the misfits, with Christ as the haven for those rejected and wearied by the world. Agree or disagree with any theological statement, the band still offers the challenging depth most artists wouldn't even go near.
With a unique and powerful musical signature, a dynamic mix of sonic styles, some of the best vocals in the business and some of the most meaty lyrics anywhere around, it's probably safe to say that this album may not be everybody's cup of tea, but I truly think they've hit a sweet spot that can appeal to both the metal heads and the pop lovers alike. This is Theocracy. This is Ghost Ship. If you haven't climbed aboard yet, what are you waiting for? "There's a place for you here."
The Bottom Line:Ghost Ship is simply a stunning musical achievement, a musical voyage that little released this year can compete with. At minimum, this is a strong album of the year contender.
Exploring the Galaxy | Posted October-24-2016
The remaining members of David Crowder*Band have been doing quite well for themselves. Rebranded as The Digital Age, they've been building their own unique reputation in the business. Their brand of electric pop/worship is instantly identifiable, even with this being only their second major release.
Galaxies is one of the year's more ambitious projects, and the album largely fulfills that ambition. Songs like "One Pursuit" and "Heroes (Light up the Sky)" come overflowing with big electro-hooks and soaring choruses that will surely find some radio and concert love.
But far from being just empty radio pop, The Digital Age is one of the most dynamic and engaging worship acts around. The music carries a particularly ethereal feel, and the vertical lyrics go very well with that sound. The album's title is appropriate because this album feels like a perfect soundtrack to exploring other worlds in our Creator's universe. And yet, it's not in the same way as maybe a band like Starset approaches space, but rather a purely worshipful endeavor praising the Author of every atom in existence.
That description may be a bit over the top, but so is the music. Only a few tracks really keep the music close to the vest. And while it's nothing new on the surface, for worship music it actually carves out a nice niche for itself. Some of the cuts in the album's middle do drag a little (although the title track is a stellar highlight of the bunch), and only a few of the album's five interludes really feel justified and album-enhancing. But overall, this is one of the year's strongest collections of worship.
The Bottom Line: Galaxies is big, it's epic, it's worshipful and it's just the jolt of positive energy the fall needed.
JJFrancesco_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
