"On The Run" by Children 18:3 View All Reviews

Children 18:3 is a Christian punk band from Morris, Minnesota. The band is composed of home-schooled siblings David, Lee Marie and Seth. The lead vocals are shared by David and Lee Marie with their brother Seth on the drums. Their band's name refers to the Bible verse Matthew 18:3, "and He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Aptly named, On The Run is the perfect display of Children's determination and joy that they show in their career. The two brothers and sister have managed to create a fresh sound with this record, complete with punk hooks and soaring melodies.

I have four main types of albums that really grab me and become the mainstays of my most played albums and songs each year: singer-songwriters like Audrey Assad, worship artists like Starfield, rock/pop bands like Sidewalk Prophets and punk rock bands like House of Heroes. I’ve very quickly added this incredible, practically perfect and completely infectious release by Children 18:3 to my most played and admired albums of the year. From the opening hooky notes and punk rock tempo of first track and lead single “Moment to Moment,” I knew I was in for a treat with this delectable album. The mix of tempos is pure perfection and the drum, guitar and bass syncopation is a thing of beauty. The best aspect of this album is the blend of David’s and Lee Marie’s harmonies layered over one catchy song after another. There are several songs that I can’t stop playing or get out of my head from this album. I love the pre-chorus: “every choice before you was a challenge to succeed” from “Moment to Moment” which challenges me to think about the daily choices I make, such as in Proverbs 12:9: “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” Many people rationalize sinful behavior by thinking little white lies don’t matter, but biblically and in the song I think about how God is with His children all the time.

“Jenny” has another infectious melody and lyrics that sticks with me: “Jenny don’t wait, the Light won’t last, and there’s only one way to reach tomorrow, time follows us, and any moment now you just don’t know, He’s after us, everywhere we go, you never, you never, you never know.”  “Jenny” reminds me of the Truth from Psalm 9:10: “Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Title track “Always On The Run” keeps that theme going, and is a ballad gorgeously sung together by Lee Marie and David where she implores “I’m done running, I promise You,” and he replies, “until you arrive somewhere you’ll be running, you’ll always be running, so stay-away from me, you can’t make a home like this, so runaway from me.” It is my favorite song on the album and is a sobering reminder to keep my “eyes on the prize” that for me connects with Galatians 5:7: “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” The other songs I can’t stop playing are the super-hooky rock songs “We’ll Never Say Goodbye,” “What About Justice?” and “Why Are You Afraid Of The Dark?,” which features a guest vocal from Blindside’s lead singer and has a great comforting chorus, “Why are you afraid the dark tonight, little one, I’m right beside you, sleep…” My middle daughter Cassandra has struggled with nightmares. To bring her comfort, we’ve studied Proverbs 3:24: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Amen to that!

CLOSING THOUGHTS

On The Run by Children 18:3 is without a doubt the top punk rock album of the year. I can't get enough of this album, which is one of the catchiest and most hope-filled emotional rock albums I've ever heard.  If you haven't jumped on Children’s bandwagon, don't wait any longer. This album will stay in heavy rotation for me all year. Similar to House of Heroes, this album is loaded with incredibly tight guitar riffs and amazing harmonies. This album is by far the catchiest, most energetic and emotionally engaging alternative rock album I've heard this year.

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