Abandon is band on mission. Fresh faces in the modern rock world, Abandon has already set the stage for a great year in 2009 already having a #1 Rock radio hit, multiple tours across the country, international success and are just now gearing up for their full length debut, Searchlights. The music delivered on Searchlights reaches out with a rare blend of non-alienating spiritual commentary and artistic relevance. Produced by Chris Stevens (Sanctus Real, Shawn McDonald, Delirious?), the record conveys classic Bible truths in a fresh voice (Peter’s denial in “Providence”), fashions vulnerable prayers into memorable, soaring alternative pop songs (“Be Alive in Me”), and praises God while wearing the creative influences of The Beatles and Coldplay on “All Because of You.” The theme of danger and hope shines throughout the album. Radio single “Hold On” depicts a struggling teenage girl from a broken family. Hold on. Someone will find you. Look for the searchlights, Engler assures her with his controlled, contagious yelp.
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big fan!| Posted November 14, 2011
the songs that abandon produces are very powerful. they are so true and so real. the song feel it in your heart is what got me hooked on this incredible band, hero is another song that just keeps me wanting more from this band.
Excellent| Posted May 04, 2011
One of my top favorite CD's to listen to in the car. The variety and complexity of arrangements on this release is very refreshing and all are done with excellent musicianship and very catchy. This was one of those releases where I almost instantly liked all of the songs.
Abandon brings their two EPs together quite nicely.| Posted January 04, 2011
(*Note* This review was written within a couple days after this came out, so when I say "over the past year," I mean in the year preceding the album's release.)
Over the past year, Abandon has released two EPs, each containing 6 songs. It seemed an odd release pattern, as the normal pattern would be to simply include the original EP in a full-length album, but for some reason the move has not been made until now. Searchlights is the long-awaited debut full-length album from Abandon, featuring the 9 best songs from the two EPs and 3 new songs. While it's mostly made of recycled tracks, the songs were fantastic to begin with, and the three new songs are great, making the final result a fantastic work.
Abandon has a sound unique to the Christian scene. People have compared their sound to the Killers. They are definitely Alternative in their sound and style which suits them well. The vocals are solid and easy to sing along with, the instrumentation is pretty solid, and the songs are well-written and fun to listen to.
As if good sound isn't enough, Abandon pushes it further with some solid lyrics about a variety of subjects. 'Providence' talks about, well, Providence taking its hold and how it controls the ways of man, while 'Confession' is about getting over one's pride and laying out their sin before God in surrender to Him. 'Safe In Your Arms' sings of finding refuge in God, and 'Your Love Lifts Me Up' encourages believers by ensuring us that Jesus' love keeps us going. Other lyrical strong points are definitely in 'Here Waiting,' 'Hold On,' and 'Hero.'
It's also interesting how the lyrics flow together between songs. For example, 'Song For the Broken,' which is about the savior for the lost, is followed by 'Confession,' implying that one has acknowledged the savior. 'Safe In Your Arms' is followed by 'Here Waiting,' which is interesting because it goes from talking about God being a refuge to God being open to anyone who comes to Him. The start and end of the album also seem to connect, as 'Hold On' kicks it off imploring you to wait for the savior, while 'Hero' describes the savior, Jesus. Interesting connections make the album all the more exciting and interesting.
Overall, Abandon has proven themselves once again in new ways with past songs, while adding three solid new tracks to the mix. The sound is very entertaining and different than any other Christian artist you will find. Their solid lyrics encourage, describe, and make one think, and the way the songs are ordered reveals some neat connections not otherwise made so easily from the original EP track listings. Don't hesitate to try out Searchlights: you won't regret it. In fact, you'll only want more.
Should You Buy It? Yes! Buy it! Listen to it! Enjoy it! Think about it! If you have the two EPs already, don't buy the whole thing, seeing as you could own the whole album by just getting 'Confession,' 'Here We Are Now,' and 'Safe In Your Arms.' Buy those songs, because they're well worth it.
Glad I took a chance on a new band| Posted April 17, 2010
I had never heard of Abandon. Saw their Ep in the store, bought it LOVED IT! It's great to see people with talent using it to glorify God. All their music is great and they're really nice people too.
Searchlights| Posted August 30, 2009
Never having heard anything by Abandon before, I can't compare this with any of their other stuff. But all in all, Searchlights is a very solid album filled with catchy beats, and Godly messages. :)
Searchlights: A Rockin Debut| Posted August 27, 2009
Searchlights, the full length debut for Abandon, gets off to a Rocking Start with the "title" cut, Hold On, a song I think I must have heard a million times on secular radio, because when I thought I heard it the first time on the preview I thought, "I've heard this song before, but where?" The spiritually themed songs may put the band into the Modern Worship circle of Leeland but, unlike the former, Abandon contains a mix of Rock (Hold On, Providence) and Mellow (Here we are now, Atmosphere) that make for good listening. For me nothing kills an albums enjoyment than monotony, and Searchlights passes that bar.
All in all a very good debut. I think you will not be quick to Abandon this CD easily and they should have a good long stay in the searchlights.
Abandon is awsome!| Posted August 26, 2009
I bought their self-titled EP soon after it came out. So I was very excited when I saw that their full length CD was released! I am buying it right away! Every song is great!!
Abandon, Searchlights| Posted August 25, 2009
This is a very energizing album. It got me excited and I want to jump to my feet and start to praise the Lord. If you are having a bad day and you listen to this album, you won't be having a bad day anymore.
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