Drawing inspiration from artists such as Bebo Norman, Derek Webb, and Angels & Airwaves, the debut album from Seven Stories Up, Falling, successfully blends rock and ministry into an exciting and energetic devotion to the Gospel. “It’s not about us, it’s not really even about the music”, says Rocker. “It’s about the fact that we, as a band, have been given a message of hope and restoration! We are placing Christ at the helm of this and following where He leads; He is our compass.” Fans of Leeland, David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Building 429 and Fee are certain to find inspiration in Seven Stories Up.
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NEW BAND PROVIDES DELIGHTFUL CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP| Posted August 18, 2009
Don’t try to pigeonhole Seven Stories Up—it’s simply not feasible. The Atlanta-based group shifts vocal stylings and musical riffs faster than you can change songs on their debut EP, Falling. The six bounding worship tunes follow in the footsteps of Fee and By The Tree, with the contemporary tone of Jason Dunn (Hawk Nelson). It shouldn’t work …but it does.
While the diverse quartet sails through an ocean of unoriginal lyrics, they stay afloat via ultra-singable songs that belong on power-point screens in churches nationwide. These songs are made to be sung congregationally, which is why the somewhat standard lyrics are forgivable. And a distinct thread of redemption and joy weaves through this solid effort, starting with the opener “My King,” relying on Switchfoot-esque guitars to carry the fervent chorus: “You are good, I give my life for You/My all, my world for You/May it crumble in the hands of the Great I Am.”
On its heels is “Taking Over,” featuring an exuberant synth line—another strong vocal offering from front man Andy Rocker, who has been leading worship and working toward this album since 2002.
The seven years of preparation shine through on fourth track, “Hallelujah,” where just the right hints of Coldplay-tinged piano turn a simple chorus into a moving worship song. Lyrically, Seven Stories’ best efforts come on “Refuge,” where they sing, “Jesus, Lord of the nations/You will cause our hearts to dream again/Jesus, life to all dead places/We will sing new praises.”
Energetic, albeit not original, Seven Stories Up shows they have plenty to offer the worship arena, with lofty guitars and worshipful choruses to boot. —Grace S. Cartwright
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Arizona-based indie label VSR adds another talented band to their roster with the signing of Atlanta trio Seven Stories Up. The label recently bowed Falling, the band’s six cut EP, as an introduction to a national audience.
“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news…” according to famous diarist Anne Frank; and writer/frontman Andy Rocker seeks to validate the personal (Christian) reality of this maxim in his songwriting. The band contributes by doing a plausible job of creating exuberant and heartfelt worship couched in familiar pop/rock tropes sprinkled with hints of latent uniqueness and maturity.
Ms. Frank’s quote continues: “The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be… And what your potential is!” Signaling opportunity for growth and maturity through progression and experience. It is the glimmers of undeveloped potential sprinkled throughout the songs of Falling that augur success for the band’s future.
Seven Stories Up’s blend of pop-rock and modern worship finds common ground with artists like Rush of Fools, Tenth Avenue North, and Brandon Heath, as well as bands like Addison Road, Echoing Angels and 33 Miles. Hopefully, we will hear a full-length project from Andy Rocker and company soon because as Sir Winston Churchill stated, “Continuous effort- not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” And this band has quite a bit of potential left unexpressed.
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