Fading West
by
Switchfoot It took me awhile to catch onto Switchfoot, but once I did I haven't stopped listening to them. Now with number eight dropped in the thick of winter, this album is a breath of crisp summer air. There...
We As Human
by
We As Human We As Human could have picked a better release date for their debut as this solid offering will struggle to overcome the shadow of Skillet's "Rise." It is fitting though that the band John discovered...
Rise
by
Skillet It takes mostly their entire catalog and mashes into one stellar of an album. The concept is beyond needed...
New Year, New Foot | Posted January-14-2014
It took me awhile to catch onto Switchfoot, but once I did I haven't stopped listening to them. Now with number eight dropped in the thick of winter, this album is a breath of crisp summer air. There is classic SF at the core, but musically there is a different vibe and it is refreshing. Great way to start of the year.
Nice debut | Posted June-26-2013
We As Human could have picked a better release date for their debut as this solid offering will struggle to overcome the shadow of Skillet's "Rise." It is fitting though that the band John discovered and promoted gets this release date. With this release, WAH delivers a fresh rock album but struggles to be unique. They have a solid future ahead of them, and this CD is just the beginning. It is a nice start and delivers a solid message, slick riffs, searing vocals, and solid layering/structuring. There is room for improvement, but WAH is on their way.
Rising Above the Rest | Posted June-25-2013 It takes mostly their entire catalog and mashes into one stellar of an album. The concept is beyond needed in these times, and Skillet delivers with power. It really doesn't start to get good until Good to be Alive because the first two sound more like Awake and Alive tracks. Overall, this is the rock album of the year. I know it's early to say that, but it's hard to believe anything can top this in terms of concept, structure, layers, package, and delivery.
Sweet | Posted March-30-2012
At this point, Manafest sounds as if he has found his groove. He's a rocker that can rap, and he goes all out on this one. This is an album to spin in your Spring rotation. Stellar job! He showcases his passion for not living stuck, to never give up, and to live beyond our mistakes. Not only that because he showcases his tastes for blends of rock and hip hop, but on this one he leans more towards the rock (case in point "Pushover"). Great overall effort.
Tough Act to Follow | Posted February-28-2012 This is about standing bold--If it Ends Today. This is about realzing that when we can't Carry On we lean on the strength of Jesus to do so. This is about realizing that nothing we have is ours, all we have is a gift from God; we bow and proclaim: It's All Yours, God.This about never wavering in your faith Even If time are hard or if God tosses you a curve ball. This is about not letting the world define us and not allowing them to tear us down because we could quite possibly be a Hero. This is about finding our Identity in Christ. This is about coming to terms with the fact that God is all that we Need. This about knowing the truth that regardless of how much we screw up we can still Come Back Home. This is Love shown in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who followed God's Will all the way to the cross. This is the truth that God's awesomness is like Gravity that continually pulls us to Him. This is about coming to terms with our doubts to boldy proclaim I'm With You! This is about being a Believer and believing that God is who He says He is and that He is always their for us in our trials; then taking this truth and sharing it with the hurting world. This is a testiment to faith in boldly asking Jesus to Carry [you] to the Cross, knowning that you are not alone in your trials. This is Kutless, and this album takes every one of their previous works, intertwines them, and creates a beautiful masterpiece of music. This album will be a tough act to follow as it is both vertical and horizontal (as in it touches the lives), and dynamic. Both rock and worship, and definitely worth five stars.
While "Until The Whole World Hears" was good in some respects, it sounded more like a sophmore slump than the fourth CD from a successful, award-winning band. To me, that CD was a misstep especially since it was new songs weaved with covers. Now, "Come to the Well," was a return to what made Casting Crows so successful: a straightforward hard hitting message wrapped with tight production, beautiful singing, and fresh music. CC took a risk in "Spirit Wind," and I believe it paid off. I believe they have returned to their form last seen on "Lifesong." Overall this is a great CD. But I am sure there are bound to be haters. I must remind people that CC has been more about the ministry than the music since they started this gig.
Diamond in the rough | Posted August-26-2011
In the crowded CCM market filled with fluff and superficial artists, there are few bands that stand the test of time (Steven Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Mark Schultz, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Mercyme) and few bands that stand out above the noise. Downhere is one of the bands that stand above the noise. Still one of the most underrated bands this side of the border, Downhere delivers another standout performace with "On the Altar of Love." One of my favorite lyrics of the CD is in the song "Glory By the Way of Shame:" She cheated on him twice/ but for fear she never told/ She finally confessed, before her heart ran cold/ With pain in his eyes, he walked out of the house and drove to town/ Bought her a white wedding dress/ Came home to her and danced/ To the song of forgiveness. Just amazing! Between Marc and Jason, Downhere possesses two of the most gifted songwriters in the business; profound, deep, thought-provoking, honest ("Let Me Rediscover You"), real, and authentic. "On the Altar of Love" is a showcase of how to reach people were they are and deliever the gospel through music ("Holy," "The Altar of Love," and "Reveal the Kingdom"). More so, on this album Jason and Marc's voices are finally in balanced and blended near perfection. As they said at Creation NE last year, this album was going to be a display of how they "found their voices," and how they have "found a perfect balance between Jason and [Marc]." That is so evident here as their interchanges and harmonies are spot on. Overall, this is a very enjoyable album and a great start to the unoffical fall release schedule.
Bangin' | Posted July-26-2011
This has to be Thi'sl's best album to date. With the opener, "Beautiful Music," Thi'sl drops the line that if it weren't for Christ he'd tell the critics were to stick it, and that they can keep quiet cuz they don't know him. Well, with this album, the critcs will have their mouths stapled shut. Thi'sl doesn't hold back and does his best to minister to the muddy waters he once swam in. He knows the hood, he breathes the hood, he raps to the hood. With tracks like "My Radio on Drugs," he calls out those who are leading the youth in the hood astray and points out their hyprocisy (basically, he talks about how secular rappers rap about doing drugs, but know nothing about what they are rapping about. He also says that they are 35--I think--and they need to grow up). Each track is heavy on the theme that the hood won't save you, nor does it have to define you; it's Christ who does this. The title song is in the same vein of "Killa" from Lecrae, and "Beautiful Mind" is an honest rendition of This'l inner thought life. This is raw, this is heavy, this honest. Thi'sl often gets overshadowed by artists such as Lecrae, FLAME, PRo, Trip Lee, The Ambassador, and the D.A. T.R.U.T.H, but on "Beautiful Monster" Thi'sl breaks ground and breaks out. This is a sonic thrill ride of epic proportions, and solidifies Thi'sl's place in the HHH market.
Nice Change of Pace | Posted May-26-2011
I would describe this album as unique and refreshing. While there are so many Christian metal acts out there, there are few you can truly comprehend and few you can undersand were they stand in the Light. Hands truly separates themselves from the bunch with "Creator," and while they have work to do in terms of technical prowless, this album is still a nice change of pace. Few bands, if any, are up to par with genre leaders Demon Hunter, but Hands establishes themselves as soldiers on the side of standing for Christ and not wavering--just like DH. Truly a head banger though melodic at times. It's not trash or mosh material, but it is still hardcore. Tight riffs and drum production as well as good breakdowns and singing. With "Give Me Rest" set to drop this year, it will be exciting to see how Hands has harnessed their craft built in this album. As it stands, Hands is set to break it wide open!
Awesome | Posted April-05-2011
Yet, FM Static makes Hawk Nelson look like amatures. This CD is amazing, and is nice filler between TFK cd's. Nice beats, nice mixes, and concept. Pretty slick album if you ask me.
hebrews1316's Music and Book Reviews 
