First I will give you a background of myself.

Genre: Gospel/inspirational

Influences: Kirk Franklin, Clark Sisters, Ricky Dillard, Earnest Pugh, Greater LA Cathedral Choir, Travis Greene, and of course Mary Mary.

 

I will be taking this review track by track, giving my feel of each song.

 

Something Big: 5*

 

For those of you who have followed these ladies, you know this falls in the same feel as "The Real Party".  It's got that upbeat, gospel rock sound.  I'm warning you, if you are not into Gospel music, you will not enjoy this song.  It is repetitive, which is very essential in Gospel music.  To us Gospel-heads, it's more than just a repetetive call and response, it's a chance for us to chant and dance and rejoice.  The words are very powerful if you take it away from the song.  I'm not going to lie, when I first played this album through, I was stuck on this song before I could move on.  It just has that groove.   

 

Something Bigger: 3.5*

 

After you calm down and take a seat, You're going to need to get back up on your feet! After listening to it the first time, I realized there wasn't anything really to sing along to, besides La La La.  So, I replayed the song to listen to the lyrics.  I must admit I don't agree with the lyrics all that much. The lyrics have sort of an...egotistical flare.  it lacks to relate to the title, "Something Bigger".  At first glance/listen, I expected it to talk about how God allows for  bigger things.  I didn't quite get that from the lyrics.  However, the beat/studio work is very catchy with it's popish/dancy ring. Great song to dance to.

 

Blind: 5*

 

Rolling out some more of the pop tunes, Blind takes a different angle.  It HITS HARD from the intro of the song.  "YOUR LOVE IS" right off the bat.  Then the track falls in and delivers a steady pump of r&b/pop rhythm.  This song will have you bobbing/nodding your head.  The chorus is very catchy, the "Oh's" will be stuck in your head!  However, that's not what made this a 5* song for me.  I fell in love with the lyrics.  They really display the "Blind" love God has for us.  The part of the lyrics that took me in were "You're not like me, you see past me."  That was definitely deep. ::||Sidenote||:: My dog Meeshka really loves this song as well. =]

 

It Is Well: 4*

 

Despite my love for R&B and Pop tunes, I'm surprisingly more a hymnal man myself.  "It Is Well" is definitely one of my most favorite hymnals by far. This would have been a 5* for that alone.  Sadly, the background didn't fit well with me.  It distracted me from a song that I know very well.  It was rather, bothersome to hear that thing in the background.  I feel it would've delivered better if they just sang it alone.

 

Never Wave My Flag: 4*

 

This song took me a while to get used to.  This song started out as a 2.5.  The song to me, sounded unfinished, as if something were lacking in production.  Also, it sounded like a last minute song.  I was determined to not like this song from the start.  That being said, I gave it a chance, I listened to the lyrics and drowned out the background track.  This song ended up being very encouraging to me.  When I got to understand the lyrics, it then allowed me to appreciate the musical production along with it. 

 

Walking: 5*

 

For those of you that don't know, this song is sampled from "Gypsy Woman" by Crystal Waters.  "Gyspy woman" was also sampled by T.I. (the rapper).  I absolutely love this song.  The concept, the lyrics, the melody.  I read in someone's post about this song being a "musical hot mess."  People have their own opinions, and I have mine.  Which concludes me to say, this song is perfect as is.  The progession is definitely a Neo-soul feel.  If you're not familiar with neo-soul, I can absolutely understand where you're coming from.  However, a "musical hot mess," I think not.  =]

 

Slow Walking: 5*

 

A skill that has been used many times before, and growing even more as time progresses: Chopping and screwing.  For those of you unfamiliar with "Chopping and Screwing"...this is all the guide you need. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chopped_and_screwed 

With that being said, it was a very nice surprise for the women to incorporate such a style to the album.  It definitely put a smile on my face.  Not to mention, they did a very good job at it. 

 

I Survived: 5*

 

This is my favorite song on this album!!!  The lyrics are great, the "old school" funky groove they have in the background just won me over.  They sang very gracefully over the track, and stayed in the pocket!  The runs and riffs from the two girls, IMO, were most showcased here.  I think this is the strongest track, vocally.  Again, that is just my opinion.  But, if you love to sing, like myself, there are plenty of tricks you can pick up from this track.  

 

Are You Ready: 2* (Weakest song on the album)

When I heard this song, I think the most disturbing thing was the clap in the background.  For some odd reason it's very distracting to me.  I even turned off the enhancements on my playback device, it still burned through.  I feel it would've been strong if they would've highlighted the guitar a better way.  Everything else in the song was just layered to an overpowering amount.  This is what I call an over-produced song.  The chorus was rather annoying..."La la get your mind right...la la la get your mind right."  Just didn't work for me.

 

Catch Me: 5*

 

This was a great song to turn the album around.  I feel that if they had placed this song before "Are You Ready", that song would've gotten a better rating.  Stepping down from all the upbeat songs, this song was a great cool off.  You're able to worship, and believe me, I DID!  "Hero. Villian. Even at my best, I'm my own worst enemy."  That line alone set the tone right.  When the drums kick in at the chorus, it added so much more depth to this already deep worship song.  This song was the best lyrically. 

 

Sitting With Me: 4.5*

 

This is a very illustrative song. Lyrically and musically.  You can feel the story, and you can even relate to a certain degree.  This song also featured an electric guitar in a very mannerful way.  They managed to give it a sort of rock(according to my very little rock knowledge) edge, while keeping it in the realms of Gospel progressions.  This song makes you feel like Jesus is sitting right there with you.  It's that theatrical.  Best song visually.

 

Hometown Glory: 4*

 

This was the perfect song to end this album.  It brang everything home.  When you hear first 16 bars you immediately feel like you're running in a garden of heaven.  I can picture kids sitting around and asking about heaven, while this song is in the background.  

 

Please do keep in mind my background.  If you follow a similar line of artists, you will find great pleasure in this album.  On the contrary, most songs do take a while to get warmed-up to.  Altogether, this album delivers it's purpose.  Be blessed ladies and gentlemen. 

 

If you'd like me to review and album for you, email me at leefaoa@gmail.com.  I will more than happy to do so. 

 

=] Jir0nimo