Vagabonds
by
The Classic Crime The title to The Classic Crime's latest long player implies a certain need to travel; and while the alternative rock act is no stranger to touring, the inspiration actually comes from a more missions-minded...
Eternity Invades
by
Vicky Before UK born and bred singer/songwriter, Vicky Beeching, began her pursuit of professional music she enrolled as a theology student at Britain's renowned Oxford University to ensure her spirit-led songs...
Miracle
by
Robbie Seay Band Quick disclaimer: What I don't mean to say is "if you've heard one Robbie Seay Band album, you've heard them all." At the same time, RSB's latest batch of worshipful pop/rock tunes, entitled Miracle, features...
REVERENT BUT UNREMARKABLE PRAISE | Posted March-23-2010
Though always a staple on the underground worship scene, Pocket Full of Rocks didn't achieve household recognition until Michael W. Smith covered "Let It Rain" on his platinum-selling project Worship. From there, the group inked a deal with the recently revived Myrrh Records and is currently dropping its third studio CD. Like its previous two projects, More Than Noise finds the group turning in a mildly likeable, albeit generally unremarkable, batch of praise tunes that don't break the genre's mold but are no doubt reverent with their intention.
Under the glistening production of Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman), the five-piece band turns in tight but typical vertical pop with tracks like "Alive" and "Strong," recalling the less progressive era of MercyMe or the generic flavors of Big Daddy Weave. The ballad "Come as You Are" tells the timeless truth of unconditional grace, which will surely resonate with those on their last strand of hope, despite the middle-of-the-road delivery.
Ironically, a re-recording of the group's very own "Let It Rain" is the hands-down highlight of the album, not just because of its familiarity but due to a swelling arrangement that overflows with passion and power. It's too bad that creative drive couldn't continue on the rest of collection, which isn't to say Pocket Full of Rocks doesn't possess talent but is once again playing its cards way too safely. -Andy Argyrakis
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
POP SUPERSTARS CONVERT TO COUNTRY | Posted March-23-2010
Only two original members remain, so perhaps things aren't as they used to be. Still it's difficult to believe they actually changed the formula that worked so well. When 27 #1 singles and over six million albums sold on the resume, you usually never see someone mess with a good thing, yet that's exactly what's happened on Point of Grace's latest, No Changin' Us. Fortunately, the move pays off in spades.
There were tinges of the girls' pending changes with 2008's "How You Live" finding success on the country charts. Those signs of life pointed the way for this future direction, bringing on super-producer Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift's Fearless) and unleashing the Nashville machine on all 11 tracks on No Changin' Us. From suddenly truncated verb endings (see title) to enhanced accents to pedal steel, the girls have officially gone country.
Yet with voices this good, they could sing the phone book and make it work. "He Holds Everything" is the up-tempo highlight, bringing the popular Lady Antebellum or Sugarland sound from the outset. "Love and Laundry" is a bit surprising for the lyrical turns it takes, but even this weakest track still holds some Southern charm. In between are memories and maxims of family and faith, and Chapman does a good job transitioning the girls to the new sound.
Some long-time fans might have issues with dashed expectations, but chances are most will come along for the ride while the new sound should garner several new fans as well. It's a good risk if you have to take one, although we'll only know it works if the next album follows suit - or goes back to the old pop standards. -Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
POISED AND POLISHED WORSHIP EFFORT | Posted March-23-2010
The press materials that accompany the latest from Adrienne Camp-or Adie, as her stage name goes-keep the expectations rather grounded. The story majors on Adie as a mother and wife first, who gave up other musical aspirations for the sake of ministry and family. Thus a project like this seems a simple side project to things more important.
It's an important point to make, considering that's exactly what Just You and Me develops as. Half of the songs present are remakes that vary little from their original versions, and the rest follow familiar formulas of current pop worship songs. It's a softer, intimate listen that finds some solid vocals and easygoing instrumentation without much flair. And that seems just the way Adie wanted things.
All too often, however, the elements make for a rather boring listen. Of the originals, "Redemption Song" stands out quite well, and it's here that Adie's worship leader background reveals itself strongest. Covers like "Only You" and Hillsong United's "All I Need" play it a bit too close to the vest. In between are middling numbers that flow a bit too effortlessly into one another.
Adie's latest is nice enough, and yet it's hard to fault considering the hype machine behind her is rather silent as well. There are low expectations, at least from what we're told, on her end, so that keeps ours low as well. That's rather unfortunate when all is said and done. -Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
NEW INVITEES ONLY STRENGTHEN PASSION'S LATEST | Posted March-23-2010
Passion 2010 brought over 20,000 young adults together to worship, serve, discuss and learn about the need for a generation to rise up and pursue God's call to bring the kingdom here on Earth. It's a popular refrain found within the songs on Passion: Awakening, and it's one that rings well with the rest of us who depend on the disc to deliver the goods.
More guests of honor were invited to this most recent Passion worship gathering around New Year's Day in Atlanta, Georgia. Alongside Passion staples such as David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall and Christy Nockels, the uber-popular Hillsong United also joined in the proceedings as well as worship rock act FEE. The new inclusions were good enough, but the center stage still belongs to the familiar faces.
Chris Tomlin's title track sets the tone early for this disc and maintains its place as the album highlight through the rest. The song is simply a stunning anthem that slowly develops from plaintive piano to an epic build of guitars and drums while the crowd sings at full volume. The lyrical refrain of "For you and you alone/Awake my soul and sing/For the world you love/Your will be done in me" will most likely be sung in churches nationwide by the end of 2010.
With eight new songs and other favorites such as "How He Loves" from DCB, Passion: Awakening adds another impressive offering to a catalog that already leads the worship music pack. -Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
HONEST PROSE ELONGATES BAND'S MUSICAL STAY | Posted March-23-2010
With the first single from Sanctus Real's fifth studio recording, Pieces of a Real Heart, already tearing up the charts and making an indelible impression on fans old and new, the pop/rock quintet should be mightily pleased. But with a track listing that nakedly explores the state of sin, its effect on sinners and the plight for salvation, I have a feeling the Sanctus boys were focused less on marketing strategies and more concerned about tackling the personal ups and downs of devotion to the Supernatural.
Amid bells and banjos and an unforgettably rousing chorus, "Forgiven," the aforementioned lead single, mounts to a poignant symphony of self-revelation, admitting, "I know what I've been/But here in your arms, I know what I am." "These Things Take Time" continues the learning, lyrically oscillating between vulnerable questioning ("Why am I so afraid of the dark/But I stray from the light?") and perpetual surrender ("I wanna know all the answers/But I'm learning these things take time") accompanied by the record's most straightforward and infectious track, giving the idea that doubt is not so much a passageway to disbelief but rather an entryway into faith.
"Lead Me" ushers a mid-tempo ballad akin to Mat Kearney as lead singer Matt Hammitt digs deep to dissect his role as the spiritual leader of his home. And album closer "Keep My Heart Alive" coats the band's raw prayer ("Take these empty hallelujahs/Fill my lungs again") with a moving string quartet and Hammitt's passionate vocal.
After nearly a decade in the industry and with the onslaught of trendy rock bands saturating radio and retail, Sanctus Real might wonder if it still has a relevant foothold in popular Christian music. The honest lyrical and musical charm of Pieces of a Real Heart should quell the questioning. -Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
THE EVOLUTION OF STELLAR KART | Posted March-23-2010
Stellar Kart may be growing up. Even though the perpetually fun fab four still dole out generous doses of their hyper-energetic pop/punk/rock on stage night after night, there's a maturation process at work on their fourth full-length studio recording, suitably titled Everything Is Different Now.
Maybe trading mega-label home Word for the cozy indie crew of INO helped cast an updated vision. Maybe introducing new guitarist Jon Howard, formerly of Dizmas, during touring season last year conjured up some fresh ideas. Or maybe veteran witty-rock front man/producer extraordinaire Ian Eskelin's mad skills behind the board honed the outfit's tantalizing tunes. Whatever it was, the band's development from a largely jejune fan base to at least a later high school/young adult crowd is producing an excellent musical outcome and following a smart marketing path, considering the quartet's original tween fan base is now enrolled in college.
Kicking off the record with a duet of wailing rock anthems, "All My Heart" and "We Shine" don't stray too far from the Stellar Kart formula, with wall-to-wall guitars, possessive melodies and straightforward worship lyrics worthy of full-blown audience participation. But "Something Holy" and the title track incorporate subtler musical panache as the band lyrically skims primetime subject matter for restless young adults in pursuit of an identity.
A trio of covers complement the package's entire potential, including an accelerated interpretation of Norman Greenbaum's 1969 No. 1, "Spirit in the Sky," a viable version of Matt Redman's popular worship song "You Never Let Go," and a fist-pumping, ear-blasting adaptation of Audio Adrenaline's "Until My Heart Caves In," albeit a bit more polished. Should they consistently evolve with more records like this, Adam, Jordan, Brian and Jon are bound to make their catalog a permanent stake in Christian music chronicles. -Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
BRIGHT NEW TALENT RECORDS FINE SHOWCASE | Posted March-23-2010
Arena-worthy hooks? Check. Sophisticated production? Check. Chart-topping lead single? Check. New Artist of the Year Dove trophy? Well, not yet. But with significant indie success and a major label launch any band would envy, worship-tinted, pop/rock band, Chasen, is poised to be Christian music's next big thing. And after listening through their first national CD release, That Was Then, This is Now, it's easy to see why.
Courting instantly recognizable melodies over layered tracks of sonic goodness, the Greenville, SC-based band offers enough gloss to access a legion of pop fans while inserting a good amount of grit to pique the interest of rock die-hards. For instance, "Castaway" kicks off the record with a full throttle anthem for second chances and "Love in Your Name" keeps the fuel burning before settling into the lead single, "On and On," already #1 at radio, and an obviously successful balance of melody and lyric with its message of God's undying love in spite of our faith and subsequent discontent with worldly possessions.
Roots rock-tinged "Airplanes" a la Train blends driving acoustic guitars, strings and a full-fledge chorus to lyrically cope with the loss of loved ones, creating one a track listing highlight. A hard-hitting string quartet introduces the addictive rock ballad, "Slow Down" an encouragement to wait on the Redeemer for restoration and peace, and the acoustic-driven album closer, "There is Love," parallels the love for our earthly families with the love of God for his children.
Having successful co-writes recorded by Addison Road and Stellar Kart, front man and band namesake, Chase Callahan continues to prove his pen as a recipe for success. Whether it is his extensive observations of songs that communicate well as a worship leader for his home mega-church, or having received support from fellow Carolinian, Edwin McCain, and heavy influence from Christian music mainstays, Switchfoot and David Crowder, Callahan and producer Rob Hawkins (Fireflight) have created a standout new artist recording by what appears to be one of Christian music's rising stars. -Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
WELCOME TO THE BIG ROCK SHOW | Posted March-23-2010
One of the most colorful, consistent and colossal rock groups on the road these days is undeniably Virginia-bred rock band DecembeRadio. Not only did the Grammy-nominated players turn in two sterling studio CDs accompanied by even more explosive shows, but they've just put the finishing touches on a full-length audio and visual concert collection (each sold separately) to mirror that on-stage intensity, while also sharing an uplifting message with no-holds-barred abandon.
After a behind-the-scenes montage to aptly build the mood for the ensuing show, the group growls through the southern stomper "Powerful Thing," followed by the blistering "Believer" and the inspiring "Love Found Me." After a few more insightful interview segments and a short sneak peek at the tour bus, "Better Man" blows the roof off the experience with its crunching guitars and militant drums. A show preparation segment is particularly enjoyable for die-hard fans wondering what types of antics go on backstage, but the guys prove they're all business when cutting back to the stage for "Live and Breathe" in front of a massive festival crowd.
In fact, the juxtaposition of indoor and outdoor venues from different cities only adds to the excitement of the DVD version, while those who prefer the songs straight through can pop in the CD edition (also perfect for car or iPod enjoyment). No matter what the format, DecembeRadio is arguably the most fiery, faith-based rock'n'roll band of the current generation, crossed with a smoldering old school charm sure to broaden its escalating appeal all the more. -Andy Argyrakis
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
RSB'S INFECTIOUS ROCK ANTHEMS CONTINUE TO ROLL | Posted March-23-2010
Quick disclaimer: What I don't mean to say is "if you've heard one Robbie Seay Band album, you've heard them all." At the same time, RSB's latest batch of worshipful pop/rock tunes, entitled Miracle, features everything you've come to expect from the Texas four-piece and not much else. In this case, that's completely and totally fine. And that's because whoever's in charge of the melodies here might just be the finest songsmith in the genre.
Seay's trenchant song structures cut right to the good stuff, sharply moving toward an epic build or a quiet close. The result is an album that develops nearly every emotion possible with such a release. From somber considerations ("Lament," "Long Way Home") to exuberant refrains ("Crazy Love," "Your Love Is Strong"), RSB fully explores the rhythms of the spiritual journey.
It's difficult to name highlights when they span every portion of Miracle. The title track might be Seay's finest yet with every pop element perfectly in place alongside a soul-stirring chorus. Album opener "Love Invades" rides spacious guitar tones straight into an undeniable RSB guitar progression that demands for an instant replay. The sparser "Long Way Home" utilizes Seay's haunting falsetto and ideal drum work to great effect. True, Miracle is just another album from the Robbie Seay Band. But when every release is this grand, each is a cause for celebration. -Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
The New Face Of Worship | Posted February-23-2010
In an effort to focus their forward-thinking church music on an invitation to worship rather than the lead man's nomenclature, The Michael Gungor Band is now known as "Gungor." But it's only a reduction of name, not of personnel or production, as evidenced on their sophomore release.
Self-described as "liturgical post rock," Beautiful Things establishes the band as frontrunners in a new generation of worship music leaders, even in spite of Michael's steady foothold in the genre's recent history. He's co-authored the mega-worship hit "Friend of God" with gospel staple Israel Houghton, whose guest spot on "Heaven," a modern Motown jam, fits perfectly into Gungor's multifarious mix.
Referencing Sigur Ros-like creativity, Sufjan Stevens' instrumentation and the repetitive intensity that makes Matt Hales' (Aqualung) production so infectious, Michael's accessibly sweet vocal drives an eclectic psalm set musically distinctive from the Brit-Rock wash synonymous with "modern worship."
For instance, the title track's progressive energy is colorful enough to appease the dilettante but focused enough to pique a schooled indie hipster, evolving from a modest acoustic guitar to an all-out symphonic jam. "You Have Me" scripts a love song from the wayward to the Savior, prettied by a slow banjo and delicate string pizzicatos: "I've wandered Heaven's gates/I've made my bed in hell/You were there still//You have my heart," while "Cannot Keep You" explores the infinite mysteriousness of God, contending: "We cannot keep you in a church/We cannot keep you in a Bible . . .Who is like the Lord?"
"Please Be My Strength" beautifully beckons: "I pray your glory shines/Through this doubting heart of mine . . . Please be my strength/I don't have anymore," over a crackly guitar and droning mellotrone.
Self-produced in a home studio, Beautiful Things combines the bigness of a Coldplay show with the intimacy of an Iron & Wine recording, a beautiful juxtaposition that quietly lures the listener into the lyrics while prompting the body to move. Some tag this spiritual experience as some sort of musical "enlightenment." Others simply call it worship. -Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
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