Jeremy Camp's "Speaking Louder Than Before": A Review
Posted November 16, 2008
By ChristianManifesto,
by C.E. Moore
Christian music’s “It boy” is back with a new bag of tricks. Okay, well he’s not back with a new bag of tricks. He’s back with 12 new songs that stick pretty close to the formula that’s made him intensely popular. Though, there is a certain maturity here that his previous works have lacked. In a nutshell: Jeremy Camp is poised to win yet another Dove Award with his latest studio release “Speaking Louder Than Before.”
Camp has always boasted distinct vocals and a big, crisp sound that draws the listener in. His lyrics have never been all that amazing, but they’ve been heartfelt and constantly find ways to connect with different audiences. “Speaking Louder Than Before” continues that trend.
“Slow Down Time” kicks things off and Camp establishes his firm presence. It’s a lyrical “Miss me?” to his fans and first time listeners. Tapping into that longing that many of us have to slow down time so that we can lengthen the intense moments that we share with God. At the same time, this song is radio-friendly enough that some might mistake it for a simple love song to a woman. “Capture Me” is a number that will likely hit the college worship circuit pretty quickly. Raucous guitars, strident drums, and powerful vocals—this is vintage Jeremy Camp. Title track “Speaking Louder Than Before” is also the lead single off the album and has already been making the rounds on Christian AC radio. It’s not the strongest offering on the album, by any means. In fact, it feels like one of those “obligatory” tracks thrown in to please a certain constituency in the Christian subculture. “There Will Be Day” is powerful. A great ballad, Jeremy Camp really shines and displays a newfound vocal dexterity. While it could be argued that Camp is a seasoned professional, he seems more comfortable here than he has in the past. His voice eases over the track, blending nicely with the instruments without ever being overpowering or underwhelming. The theme of the song is nothing new, yet Camp’s presence convinces me that it is worth playing more than once. “You Will Be There” boasts a nice orchestral feel and I can only imagine what this piece will look like in a live setting.
But, as with any album, there are some flaws. Actually, it is Camp’s professionalism and know-how that make the flaws so glaring. “I’m Alive,” in my humble opinion, is a total miss. I don’t know what it was, but it smacks of everything I hate about Christian music. The cheese factor is high as Camp treads Carman and Chapman territory. Not to mention, it just feels like a step backwards musically. If it had come out seven or eight years ago, sure. Now? Not buying it. “Giving You All Control” suffers from the same problem. It’s a “rocker,” if that’s what you want to call it, but it just comes across as childish and stupid. Middle school youth groups might like it. But, middle schoolers are becoming more sophisticated.
When considering the album as a whole, the pros far outweigh the cons. Camp is in a place in his career where he could sing about nothing at all and his fans would swoon. But, there is a level of maturity and comfort here not displayed in his earlier efforts. Jeremy Camp is growing up and so is his sound. Long time fans and new fans alike will enjoy “Speaking Louder Than Before.”
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
View All Music And Book Reviews By ChristianManifesto | View ChristianManifesto's Profile
|
