THE LIVE VIBE COMES TO LIFE
Posted September 29, 2008
By CMCentral,
Very rarely does any band (faith-based or otherwise) connect in concert to the scalding degrees of southern-streaked rock & rollers DecembeRadio. Taking cues from The Black Crowes, plus anyone with a rebellious streak from the 1970s, the group unloads with a gargantuan wall of guitars and the ferocious howls of front man Josh Reedy. Not only does that sound translate to the studio on the group’s sophomore CD, Satisfied, but the band comes across with more self-assurance and blissfully controlled chaos than on its already exceptional GRAMMY-nominated/Dove Award winning self-titled debut.
Put on a seat belt before the blazing guitar grinds of “Better Man” blast out of the stereo, and expect the old-school intensity to continue throughout the half soulful/half swampy “Satisfy Me.” Even with the blistering amplifier assault, DecembeRadio still has plenty to say, and the stacked sounds are never at the expense of a meaningful gospel message. The mid-tempo southern blues howler “Believer” talks about growing up in a Christian household and making the commitment to maintain those beliefs into adulthood, while the string-enhanced ballad “Look For Me” is a call for non-believers who are tired of trying to fill the void with worldliness to, instead, embrace the Lord.
From a purely musical perspective, there are still plenty of other concert classics in the making, from the gospel-infused retro rocker “Powerful Thing” to the organ-drenched sing-a-long “For Your Glory” and the no holds barred blare of “Gasoline.” Amidst all the rumblings and fist pumping power, DecembeRadio effortlessly blends a simultaneous throwback to yesterday, an unconventional taste of tomorrow and a private concert experience during each and every personal playback. –Andy Argyrakis
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CMCentral.com. Click here to visit CMCentral.com today! View All Music And Book Reviews By CMCentral | View CMCentral's Profile
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