:)
Posted May 18, 2010
By LauraCC,
When I was in 5th grade, music wasn't really big with me. The year before, I, like all the
other girls in my 4/5 class (so I believe) bought the soundtrack to Titanic for "My Heart
Will Go On." I never saw the movie nor did I develop a crush on "Jack", however. I was
also a member of choir and would've been in the chorus of the school musical too if I
hadn't missed practice and been kicked out (thanks to somebody, I don’t know who)
telling me it was cancelled.
For the boys of Mission 6, however, 5th grade was the year they decided to make music
for Jesus. Arming themselves with musical training, they quickly went on to record their
first album, Superhero. Boasting 10 tracks, and garnering comparisons to FF5, Relient K
and the insanely popular Jonas Brothers, the 5 youngsters made it clear where they stand
even in the naming of their band, a reference to God's presence and approval of their
"musicionary" (their word, not mine) efforts. Now, a little more than a year later, their
second album Not Too Young is an encouraging mix of uplifting songs, albeit short.
The title track, "Not Too Young" is an upbeat song which draws from 1 Timothy 4:12:
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the
believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." It's a theme you'd expect in
music geared to kids, but I think the look-downers need to hear it too. The next two
songs are actually extensions of each other. "Stand Out" is an anti-peer pressure song
with a soft chorus, and its sister song (or should that be "brother song"? It's alliteration
vs. boy-singers=boy song.) "Misfits" says that we shouldn't be surprised when we don't
feel like we fit in, because we're not supposed to. It may seem obvious, but it's actually a
truth that often sails right over our heads. "Misfits" sounds like regular rock and gets
punkier near the end.
"Forever" is an open letter to the girls they haven't met yet. It's a rarity from an all-boys
group to hear a song about purity, because in this world guys are considered the losers
for maintaining it. It's a song that's bound to earn the band respect. However, I was left
wishing for a little lighter touch with the music and more voice on this one. The last
complete track is a cover of "I Am Free." It's a song well-suited to their high-energy
style. However, while well done, Newsboys fans probably won't find anything fresh
about it, as my experience with the cynicism of older teens and 20-somethings
practically weaned on CCM versus my relative rookie status leads me to believe. Each of
the 5 songs is also available in a sing-along version for kids, rather than taking the profit-
milking step of selling the 5 songs as an EP and the karaoke tracks separate.
Not Too Young is a great appetite-whetter. The songs are uplifting and the very existence
of Mission 6 is proof positive that kids can make a difference at any age. Parents will
definitely approve and might even catch themselves humming along to "I Am Free." View All Music And Book Reviews By LauraCC | View LauraCC's Profile
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