Tal & Acacia [Black & White]
Posted March 05, 2013
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Sisters Tal & Acacia grew up in Portland, Maine, in a Christian household and attended an inner-city school their mom and dad ran for underprivileged youth. Tal & Acacia first began songwriting and playing guitar in their teen years, while the family spent an insightful year in Russia aiding a humanitarian orphan ministry. After returning from Russia, the sisters developed a stronger sense of the world during separate collegiate pursuits in opposite regions of North America. Tal & Acacia aim to create songs that wake listeners and refresh the soul. The songwriting duo’s music ministers and inspires. Realizing that sometimes we slumber in our walk with God and take a hiatus from His presence, Tal & Acacia desire to stir listeners to become alive again. From their 2009 debut album Wake Me, I really enjoyed the songs “Top Priority,” “Clearview,” “Yahweh,” “Wake Me (Noah’s Song)” and “Love’s Gonna Getcha.”
The sister duo is back with the independent album Black & White, a new collection of very heart-felt and introspective songs. What’s great is how the album sounds very original and yet familiar at the same time. I really enjoy how sisters Tal & Acacia blend vocally, especially on the song “This Is Love.” The song has an upbeat musical style and vulnerable vocals as the sisters harmonize “This is Love, there’s nothing left to fear, this is Love / I can finally be myself, this is Love / where our dreams can come true yet / all I want is to stay right here with You / this is Love.” “Once Upon A Time” keeps the upbeat musical flow going and firmly establishes the thesis statement of the album “No, no, it’s pointless without You, Jesus, please / I can’t live without Your love, and the storms can roll over me all again, but I’m not going nowhere to lose such a Friend…no, no, no.” The bridge “You give me life, You save my life” is a great example of the vertical lyrics found throughout this very solid “gourmet” album.
There are two songs that literally stop me in my tracks, the captivating ballads, “Stone” and “Ninety-Three.” The songs feature prayerful, personal and Scripturally inspired lyrics clinging to the hope and promise of our Rock, Jesus—“I will not give you a stone / when you’re asking for bread / No, I will not leave you alone / when My child is cryin’ / No I won’t” in “Stone.” An Enya style gorgeous musical intro flows into a beautiful and prayerful moment to praise our eternal God and Savior in the ethereal standout song, “Ninety-Three.” The sisters reverently sing—“The Lord reigns, The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty, The Lord is clothed…He has girded Himself with strength / Surely the world is established so that He cannot be moved, Your throne is established from above / You are from everlasting.” Amen.
The upbeat pop musical style returns with “Shoulders” and “That’s Me.” The sisters trust in the Lord throughout “God Knows” as they offer themselves as living sacrifices, “God knows all my doubts, all my fears, He isn’t scared…He’d love to hold you yet again.” Don’t miss the standout closing ballads, “Hands” and “If You Think.” I can’t get enough of the prayerful and vulnerable Adele-like musical style song of surrender to Christ in “Hands.” The sisters pray like David in the Psalms—“They made my life a misery, I found soon they got no right to me, I never knew what I could be…You’re calling me to victory…I throw up my hands because I know that You’re better / give up my heart this is my true surrender” which leads to the sincere bridge “they say to leave to cleave it, want to show You that I receive it, tear the walls that block my way to You.” The album closes as strong and prayerfully as it starts with “If You Think.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Musically, the album features a great mix of laid-back ambient pop and singer-songwriter folk style music. In the 1990’s when I wasn’t saved I was a huge fan of the mainstream singer-songwriter Jewel and her hit songs “Foolish Games” and “You Were Meant For Me” captivated me with her relatable lyrics and gorgeous vocals. Tal & Acacia has released an album with vocals and lyrics that remind me of that incredible twelve-time platinum debut album Pieces of You by Jewel. If you like Adele, A Fine Frenzy and Ellie Goulding, you’ll truly enjoy this “gourmet” collection of worshipful songs from Tal & Acacia. Give Black & White a few deep listens and you’ll love it. I hang on every single word and the stirring vocals, prayerful lyrics and musical arrangements are breath-taking. Well done and welcome back Tal & Acacia. I love to pray along with these compelling and moving songs. This album is balm for my soul. View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinDavis_NRT | View KevinDavis_NRT's Profile
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