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A Musical Grab Bag | Posted July 29, 2011
There is a good chance you are familiar with the long running CCM group The Katinas for several reasons. Their many successful years as a band on Gotee Records, their partnership with Greg Laurie and the Harvest Crusades, or the work they’ve done with Samarian’s Purse after the 2009 Samoa earthquake, an event that shook their Samoan roots and caused them to take action. Any way you might have heard of them, there is no denying that John, Jesse, Sam, James, and Joe, otherwise known as the Katina brothers, have a loyal following, and one that’s has been patiently awaiting new music since the release of their first independent project, Still, nearly three years ago. So you imagine the delight of those longtime fans when this talented group of brothers made their return to the music world in June of 2011 with their long-awaited and latest project, Collage.
The album starts off with a bang, a track titled “L.O.V.E” which encourages the listener to do just that. Love others as God has loved us. Musically, it’s a far cry from the adult contemporary sound this band is known for, making the tradition from a low-key melodic style to diving headfirst into danceable pop territory. From here, this album shows no signs of stopping with the just as upbeat title track and the encouraging “I’ll Wait”, a perfect anthem for those who find themselves in the middle of a storm and have decided to take a stand and wait on the Lord.
From here, the album slows down dramatically and gets back to The Katinas familiar worship roots. The piano driven “Jehovah”, a beautiful ballad featuring the vocal talents of acclaimed female vocalist CeCe Winans, sings of the favor of God and His almighty presence in our lives. They deliver a well-made re-make of the beloved Delirious anthem “Majesty” before going into my favorite song on the record, “Worthy”, a duet with award winning male vocalist Jeremy Camp. Camp’s vocals bring a depth to this song that, when arraigned with these brothers harmonious vocals, is sure to lead the listener into an intense moment of worship.
Picking up the pace once more, “Love People”, another duet featuring rapper and fellow Gotee alumni artist, B.Reith, shares the mission of the band, which is to simply lift the name of Jesus and, of course, love people. “Every Bit Of You” is a cute and bouncy love song that is sure to become a fan favorite, while “La’u Pele Ea” is a Samoan influenced track which is certainly a nod to their culture and the restorative message they’ve been passionate about sharing these last several years since the earthquake.
“How He Loves” is a cover of the smash John Mark McMillan worship tune that the church has grown to love. It is one of the most unique arraignments of the song I‘ve heard to date, and one many worshipers will enjoy. The album comes to close with the track “Home”, a personal message to a prodigal, and how they are never too far from God’s love (“Whatever you've done, there is room for everyone, this is love, the time is now, come on home.”)
Closing Thoughts:
There is no denying how talented this band is. The harmonies are seamless, and their voices are stronger than ever, but as a listener, I can’t help but feel this album lacked a cohesive flow. I’m all for a diverse mix of styles, but it almost sounds like you are flipping between two albums --a classic Katina’s album and a remix project-- with nothing bringing the two together. While there are a few glimpses as to what this band is great at, I think in the future, they should try to find a medium between the two styles. That aside, while it might not be their strongest effort musically, there is no denying the well-written lyrics on this album, and in the end, it’s the message that matters far more than the music. These men are powerful worship leaders and their influence in the genera will be felt in the industry long after they’re gone. Collage is a must-have for long time fans of this band and they surely won’t disappointed.
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