Red [End Of Silence]
Posted February 08, 2009
By christianmusicreview,
[MAIN REVIEW]
Out of most of the albums releasing, no album was I anticipating hearing to more, then the new group RED and their release End of Silence. If you were (prior to being saved) or are still into groups like Linkin Park, you will definitely like this album. Let’s give you a little intro to the group itself. They come from Pennsylvania, where they used to play contemporary Christian covers to youth groups. The group consists of twin brothers, Randy (Bass) and Anthony Armstrong (Guitars), Jasen Rauch (Vocals), Hayden Lamb (Drums) and Michael Barnes (Vocals). While reading the press release we received for this album, I noticed that the band had said this album took three years to make. I think the Lord definitely has to be part of a project to have the patience to work on for 1095 days! The albums title comes from guitarist, Jasen Rauch, saying “It’s not wrong as a Christian to speak about the things that you struggle with in your life and just kind of being vocal about them, so it’s the of the silence for you as well”(taken from HM Magazine). So without delay, lets get into the noise, now that the silence has ended
The first track is an intro track, kind of fooling the listener (which in this case is okay) that this will be a classical piano CD. That is until you hear some cracks in the sound and all of sudden the track sounds as though it’s breaking, breaking into track two, “Breathe Into Me”, the official beginning of RED and their debut album, End Of Silence. The story behind the song is simple, Jasen explains “the chorus, “Breathe Your life into me” is a desperate cry for help, a plea for renewal, rebirth, even resurrection.” The song is a perfect way to introduce listeners to the group. The guitar tracks sound good too. I think our guitar dudes out there will take a stab at picking this one up! “Breathe Into Me” is also the album’s (and the group’s) first single. Track three, “Let Go”, which references Romans 6:12-14, talks about not giving into temptation and even addictions that may plague us in this life. It’s about breaking the pattern of sin we often fall back into, the group says. I think it also is just a blatant shout out to Satan, that he will not control our lives. “Already Over” parts 1 & 2 touches on the subject that many Christians deal with in their lives everyday. Temptation. Part one talks about how at times that it’s already over because we have given into temptation. Part two, talks about how we are able to trade in our sin for God’s righteousness, which was paid for by Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. Thank God for the Cross! You’ll notice the message in both songs inter-link each other, but the music for each is very different from one another. Part 2 is almost like a broken down version of part 1, but ends with the soothing sound of pianos. Scripture reference, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
“Lost” is described by the group as a love song to God. “I can spend my life lost in You” which the last part of the chorus sings. The song describes the inseparable love of God that is found Romans 8:38-39 which says “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “Pieces” is described as how only Christ can take the broken pieces of our shattered lives, restore us, and make us whole again. Amen. So many times we try to live our lives separate from God, not realizing that no matter how good we think we have it, it would never be the same as living with Him in your life. Life doesn’t fit together quite right without the Lord, remember this. I love the piano solo at the beginning of this song. It’s great how RED can take pianos and rock guitars and mesh them together, in perfect harmony. Galatians 2:20 says “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” That is the story behind “Break Me Down”. Finding who we are in Christ, allowing Him to break us down and mold us into He would have us to be. The chorus makes a statement, saying “I want to find/I want to shine/I want rise/Break me down”.
The album’s 8th track “Wasting Time” is another stab at the devil and how he’s wasting his time coming at us with the deceit and lies he uses daily. It’s time, the band says, “Not this time! This time I’m pushing back!” James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee fro you” Amen! Amen! Does this pertain to you? I know the devil is always on my back! Flee in the name of Christ! How many times have you thought that you could make it without God’s help? Remember the prodigal son? God’s word said He is always willing to take us back. Thank you Lord! The song “Give It All Away” is a song that group describes of a friend who leaves God behind for a life of despair. Only after being out of the sheltering arms of God does someone realize, ‘Wait a sec, I need God more then I thought. Maybe I should turn around! Have you ever done something and you just wanted to hide? C’mon, don’t lie, you know you have. Just like Adam & Eve did in Genesis 3:8, we must remember God’s love for us. Yes, we may have to get a whoopin, but it’s all for the good. This is the message behind “Hide”. We often don’t think we deserve the mercy God shows us. Come out and ask forgiveness, you don’t have to hide, we have a loving God.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Overall I was quite impressed with Red’s debut album. I was somewhat of a fan of Linkin Park back in those days before giving my life to Christ, and so this is one band that I can say sounds similar if you are looking for a Christian equivalent. I liked the album musically, but I realize that from a message stand-point it could come across to some as vague when it comes to spiritual content and meaning. That and I had the song-by-song at my fingertips as well so it made it easier for me to see where the band was coming from along with references for the music. This album is a perfect example of good music with a message, although not as obvious as some artists in today’s Christian music industry. Nevertheless, I am really looking forward to seeing what the future holds for these guys. Talent and dedication to God are two things seemingly going for this group.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10 (75%, C)
Review written by: Jay Heilman | Review can also be found here.
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