One of Christian music’s top-selling rock bands, GRAMMY®-nominated Skillet returns with its latest recording capturing the raw energy and multi-textured sonic landscape for which they have become known. A mixture of dissonant chords, anthemic builds and memorable vocal interpretation combine to form a progressive, yet classic rock-influenced sound that’s all their own. Skillet’s straightforward message and innovative sound has garnered the band seven #1 songs and an avid fan base.
Experience pounding, classically influenced rock with a progressive edge, colored by dissonant chords, and gutsy vocals on the latest release from Skillet, best known for hits including “Savior.” Relevant, innovative and unforgettable, Skillet continues its tradition of a straightforward, in-your-face gospel message of hope.
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Top 10 Album Of 2009| Posted January 04, 2010
Artists must hate the phrase "much anticipated follow-up." Trying to live up to something that so many regard as a career defining album has got to be frustrating. So the artist is left with two options: give the people more of what they want, and risk being redundant, or go an entirely new direction, and risk losing their audience. I feel that's the position Skillet was forced into with Awake. Coming off one of the most successful rock albums of all time, and certainly the biggest album of Skillet's career, there was a lot of expectation for huge things from this band, especially given the three year gap between records.
Make no mistake, Awake did not disappoint in its delivery and is one of the best releases of the year, but for anyone that lived and breathed their last album, Comatose, which took the Christian rock world by storm three years ago, it felt more like Comatose: Part II than the album we were all waiting for.
So here, we get the hard-hitting, rock orchestra songs that trade male and female leads ("Hero," "Awake And Alive," "Forgiven"), the grunge anthems ("Monster," "It's Not Me It's You," "Sometimes") and the power ballads ("Don't Wake Me," "One Day Too Late," "Should've When You Could've," "Never Surrender"). If it ain't broke, why fix it?
That said, it's not entirely fair to judge an album under the shadow of another. You can't blame the band for revisiting a successful pattern of songwriting. Is Awake better than Collide? I don't think so. But it does more than a fine job satisfying a hungry fan base wanting more from Skillet.
Awake will continue to keep Skillet at the top of the Rock charts, and their aggressive touring schedule will keep the rock fists pumping to new tunes for many years to come. I'm simply hoping that both the fans and the band can now move forward, hungry for a new course instead of satisfied by more of the same, and that it's cooked up in half the time.
Darker and Different| Posted September 11, 2009
I'm a rather newer fan of Skillet, so I may not be as 'up' on thier music as most of thier more hardcore Panhead fans. But I DO know that afer the succsess of thier 2006 album 'Comatose', that Skillet was going to have some big expectations to meet with thier next album...so I guess the real question here is: Does 'Awake' meet the hype it was lived up to?
It starts off with the first single 'Hero', the biggest change on this album is the addition of the female vocals from new drummer Jen Ledger (she took over after Lori Peters left the band in early 2008). Jen's vocals add something extra to his album, although much of Korey Coopers background vocals are missed on this album--it's one of the reasons 'Comatose' had so much musical depth. 'Monster' is one of the heavier songs on this album with lyrics that standout right away. The 'monster' symbolicaly being the ugliness of self.
A running theme through this album seams to be 'living in the flesh VS living by the Spirit'. This is found in 'Hero', 'Monster', 'Could've When You Should've', 'Awake and Alive' (my favorite track on the album) and the lyrically moving 'Lucy'. Lyrically there seams to also be a lot of anger in this album, maybe not forth right, but songs like 'Believe' and the darkest track on the abum 'Sometimes' have this way of hitting you with raw honosty.
Overall this is a great rock album. Skillet fans won't be dissapointed--but this may not be everyone's cup of tea. It's very heavy both lyrically and musically and although it has it's lighter moments, the tone of the album stays the same throughout. Newer fans who want to get into this bands music might want to start off with 'Collide' and 'Comatose' (this album, being almost a perfect mesh of these two albums).
So, the answer to the question before? Yes. This album does meet the hype. But i'll leave the rest to you to hear for yourself...
THEY'RE BACK....| Posted August 18, 2009
And better than ever! It's been almost 3 whole years since the last full length Skillet album, Comatose, which not only took a great band and made them even greater, but it took a popular band and made them even more popular. Continuing that trend, Awake is arguably their best effort yet and is sure to get them even more attention.
From the get-go, it's clear that Skillet didn't reinvent themselves like they've done on albums past. The cover art alone having the same logo tells us that. But that is understandable. Comatose worked, and it got them to reach a lot of people. They'd be fools to deviate too much from that style, and thus, they didn't.
But fear not, this is not Comatose II. It's Awake. Opening rocker hero and the title track are arguably VERY Comatose-esque, almost to the point where you wonder during which session they were recorded.(Not that it matters One Day Too Late is also arguably a Comatose-esque song.
But that's about as far as the "Comatose II" feeling goes for me. Lead Mainstream single Monster is an intense and catchy rocker that is sure to be a Skillet classic. Other intense rockers include "It's Not Me, It's You" and "Sometimes."
Skillet also really improves their writing for some rock-edged slower songs in "Believe," "Never Surrender," and even the album closer, "Lucy." All three songs are extremely good and show that Skillet is really improving as a band.
"Don't Wake Me" is also a good song, although not as memorable as the three previously mentioned songs.
"Should've When You Could've" is arguably the weakest track on the album. Yet it's so catchy, that you really want to like it, and looking deeper into the song, it's fairly easy to like it.
Ultimately, Skillet has another winner here that is sure to please the wide audience. Those hoping for them to rehash Collide or another earlier album will be disappointed, as will those hoping for Skillet to again reinvent themselves(why they aren't allowed to stick with a winning formula, I don't know). The lyric writing is top-notch, and the music is epic. Awake proves to be one of the best albums of the year and a highlight of Skillet's discography.
Awake or Comatose re-packaged?| Posted September 16, 2009
Comatose was huge. Almost as huge as it was unnecessary to tell you how huge Skillet’s 2006 smash CD was. Throughout the band’s thirteen year career Skillet never came as close to success they enjoyed Comatose with any other album, despite tinkering with hardcore and techno-rock. So why depart from the hard rock/rising rock/inspirational ballad approach style that made Skillet’s album Awake so anticipated? Well there really isn’t a reason other than to please some fans which are constantly craving for ongoing development and musical progression. So Skillet decision to stay with Comatoses’ formula to the letter should provoke a change of title. How about Comatose 2 or Comatose: the Sequel. Or perhaps the most telling title of all: Comatose: the expanded edition.
The comparisons from Comatose to Awake are so deep that the words ‘innovation’ and ‘original’ have no place anywhere near Awake. Setting aside the sound for a minute even Awake’s track listing is unbelievably close to that of it’s processor. Both share two grueling rock songs to begin the album and their even share of ballads to go along with a punk-wanna-be song (“Should’ve When You Could’ve”) at the same place as “Those Nights” on Comatose. On difference though is Comatose ended the CD with the epic rock song “Looking For Angels” which closes out the album far better Awake’s ending ballad, “Lucy.”
The album does kick off well though with “Hero” which features a great electric guitar played throughout which counteracts new drummer, Jen Ledger’s, over-hyped vocals. The album then proceeds to the monster rock song “Monster” which delivers an unoriginal, but great hard rock tune which matches lead singer John Cooper’s vocals brilliantly. And then the album just rolls on in the typical Comatose fashion with the only difference being that this album was named Awake. “Don’t Say Goodbye” shows up in the form of “One Day Too Late” while the technical title track (the melodic “Awake And “Alive”) is reminiscent of Comatose’s flowing title rock track. The production and showmanship of Awake might be overall better than Comatose but it’s no doubt that musically Skillet’s original template is far superior.
One aspect about Skillet that worked was the carryover picture of sleeping (Comatose) to suddenly waking up (Awake). However, lyrically Skillet wasn’t that clever. Skillet’s “Hero” really doesn’t offer much of an original concept the title track won’t wow any listener with ‘I can feel you in my sleep/In your arms I feel you breathe into me/Forever hold this heart that I will give to you/Forever I will live for you’. Even it feels as though “One Day Too Late” has only been recycled a dozen or so times over the years, the spin Skillet took on forgiveness on “Forgiven” was solid. One positive element of the lyrics on Awake was that despite Skillet’s Mainstream success and their management balking out of performing at a Church, the band has stayed true to their Christian roots and values.
Putting Awake in the simplest of terms would be something like this ‘Alien Youth and repeat were in a boat; repeat jumped off. Who was left? Collide and repeat were in a boat; repeat jumped off. Who was left? Comatose and repeat were in a boat; Comatose, the successful giant, jumped off. Who was left?'. It’s not hard to fault Skillet’s decision to run with the exact formula with Awake as they used on Comatose but at the end of the day the album really has the reply value of Comatose Deluxe Edition. That being said Skillet’s refined rock act is still one of the best in the business
Awake| Posted August 18, 2009
Christian rock phenom Skillet unleashes one of this year’s highly anticipated albums, Awake. The Grammy-nominated group attained a mass following in both Christian and Mainstream markets with their previous endeavor, Comatose. After experimenting with several genres throughout their thirteen-year career, Skillet stuck close to the sound that worked so well with Comatose, resulting in another accessible, radio-friendly rock record.
The first two singles, “Hero” and “Monster” gave fans a glimpse of what to expect with Awake. “Hero” opens with lead singer, Jon Cooper, trading off vocal lines with drummer Jen Ledger, then leads into an addictively catchy chorus in which Cooper longs for a Hero (referring to Christ) to save him from the darkness of the world. Skillet showcases their harder edge on “Monster” with heavy, distorted guitar riffs complementing Jon Cooper’s rough, powerful vocals. The lyrics cleverly depict man’s internal struggle between good and evil. “I feel it deep within/It’s just beneath the skin/I must confess that I feel like a monster.”
Orchestrated motifs, faint piano licks, and crunchy guitar riffs gives “Awake and Alive”
a strong resemblance to Comatose. The infectious, melodic anthem encourages to not let the world pull you in, stand up for your beliefs, and don’t back down.
Fans of Skillet’s softer side will not be disappointed with Awake; there are several power
ballads and softer pop/rock tunes. “One Day Too Late” encourages listeners to make the most of each moment. Piano-driven “Lucy” mourns the loss of a loved one. Cooper describes “Don’t Wake Me” as an “’80s prom song” about dreaming to be with someone you lost. “Should’ve When You Could’ve” features a catchy melody but the chorus comes off as cliched and cheesy- “You should’ve when you could’ve/You’re gonna miss my love girl/You should, it would have been so good/You should’ve when I would’ve.”
One of the strongest tracks on the album, “Believe,” was added after Awake was thought
to be complete. Lyrically, “Believe” isn’t so different from the rest of the album. What
makes the song stand out is it’s melancholy manner and rawness.
Many tracks on Awake sound like they came straight off of Comatose- “Hero,” “Awake & Alive,” “Forgiven,” “Should’ve When You Could’ve,” “One Day Too Late,” “Don’t Wake Me.” While many will be quick to label Awake as Comatose part 2 (myself included), a good portion of the album features tracks that are more stripped down (“It’s Not Me It’s You,” “Believe,” “Sometimes,” “Never Surrender”) than those found on Comatose. But, the most important aspect remains unchanged - the message.
Closing Thoughts:
Awake wasn’t particularly what I was looking for from Skillet. I’d prefer more of a resemblance to Collide, or even Alien Youth, than Comatose. But I can’t fault the band for sticking with what’s popular. After all, the goal is to bring hope to as many lives as possible, isn’t it?
HARDER ROCK SCORES EVEN BIGGER HITS| Posted August 18, 2009
Skillet is without exception one of the finest bands to hit the Christian rock scene, ever.
Slowly and steadily nurturing a massive fanbase of hard rock loyalists (affectionately nicknamed “Panheads”) and scoring major mainstream attention without once watering down their convictions, the fantastic foursome’s choruses of hope reverberate loudly for millions of music lovers.
Though their Grammy-nominated platform has literally exploded since the release of 2006’s Comatose, John, Korey, Ben and Jen have yet to give up their call—igniting arenas of teens with refrains of faith and verses of love. Rather than shying away from the taboo topics facing kids today, Skillet goes in for the kill, screaming hope and hitting hard on the heart of the matter.
Awake is no exception.
“Sometimes,” the CD’s most vulnerable and darkest track, confesses, “I want someone to hurt like I feel hurt/It’s sick but it makes me feel better.” “Never Surrender” is a plea for someone to stick close during our most confusing periods of self-destruction and doubt. And “One Day Too Late” and “Don’t Wake Me” are soaring symphonic anthems that take more lyrical cues from pop than rock, bound to strike a chord at every high school-sponsored event this fall.
Typically, the band’s stylistic approach varies widely from record to record, but Awake stays the tried and true Comatose-course. Not to worry: This is no carbon copy. Rather, Awake utilizes everything epic about Comatose (and there was a lot) and makes it bigger, heavier, more climactic and more astute. And thanks to Howard Benson’s (My Chemical Romance, Daughtry) production, each lead vocal is masterfully emphasized, pairing powerful rock with an equally powerful message.
Skillet has once again outdone the competition. Let’s hope the trend continues. —Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Awake| Posted February 07, 2011
I LOVED this album!!!! It has too be one of their best if not thier best! Great songs with great beats, and great lyrics always gonna get a good rating from me!
Skillet "Awake" Album Review| Posted September 21, 2010
The first song on Awake is a song called “Hero” which was also the first single. This is a really good song, but the real highlight is the backing vocals of the new 20 year old drummer, Jen Ledger. The combination of the rougher voice of the lead singer John Cooper and the voice Jen Ledger, makes this song sound amazing. This song talks about mankind’s need for a hero, in this case that hero being Jesus Christ. The song was written in the midst of all the evil and tragedies that happen in the world today and highlights the fact that Jesus is the one who fights all this evil for us. Hero gets the album off to a hard edgy beginning.
Following Hero is a song called “Monster”. I know it sounds like a weird name for a Christian song, but the meaning behind it is pretty interesting. The “monster” referred to in the song represents the different and sinful beast inside of us. It talks about how we as humans do everything possible to keep others from seeing the beast from within and how sin is something that we can’t control. The main melody is very catchy. My only criticism of it is that after a while, it got a little repetitive. Other than that it’s an awesome song.
These two songs are great, but the real standout on this album is the title track “Awake and Alive”. I just love everything about this song. It opens up with the trademark of all Skillet songs, the violin. The violins then continue throughout the whole song, creating a great rock atmosphere. It’s also got an amazing guitar solo and it’s a fantastic hard rock tune. This is one of my favourite songs on the album. I just love the triumphant anthem “I’m awake, I’m alive”. This song was an instant hit for me as soon as I heard it. Check it out, “Awake and Alive”.
On a whole, Skillet’s Awake is a fantastic rock album. The album covers a lot of topics in today’s world such as sin, faith and even love. This album is great with the introduction of Jen Ledger and her great voice. She is probably the best female vocalist the band’s ever had.
For a huge fan of Skillet, this probably wasn’t your favourite album because it didn’t offer much new sound. For long fans of Skillet you’d probably think that this album wasn’t as good as Comatose.
Skillet Scores!| Posted August 08, 2010
Skillet's most recent album, Awake, is the best! On past albums, there has not been a female voice, which is present on most of the songs on Awake. I think this is definitely a plus-it adds a new edge to Skillet's music. I honestly can say that there are no cons at all on this album. One track in particular, Lucy, is a tearjerker. It is a nostalgic song, and it is one of my personal favorites. Some of my other favorites are Hero, and Awake and Alive. As I love this album, I think that others who are die hard Skillet fans like me will also enjoy this too, and that the songs will be stuck in their heads. :)
Different| Posted August 06, 2010
I must admit that it's WAY different for Skillet but it is also a good change for skillet too. Monster is a song that my little siblings enjoy and even my parents enjoy it. So its the type of rock that anyone can like
4/5| Posted May 24, 2010
3 years after the best album of their careers, Skillet returns with the "sequel" entitled Awake. Why do I call it a sequel? Because both albums have the same sound to them. The messages from both albums are opposites of each other. Comatose was about how we appear to be sleeping when the world needs help. Awake tells the opposite, we need to wake up and take charge of what we need to do to help the world. Awake is basically Comatose part 2 in every way shape and form.
Amazing!| Posted May 12, 2010
This was the first Skillet I've ever bought, and it was totally worth the money! This cd has some great songs that I just can't stop listening to. If you love rock, you will love this cd!
Too Slow| Posted May 03, 2010
Skillet is undoubtly a great band.
But Awake has too much ballads: Don't Wake Me, One Day Too Late,Should've when you could've and Lucy. And there are songs without the rock-edge: Believe, Forgiven and Never Surrender.
So it could be a rocker album as Collide or Comatose.
But what's most exciting about the album are the new vocals from Jen Ledger! Her voice is very beautiful and this girl has big skills.
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