Stellar Kart [Expect The Impossible]
Posted September 24, 2008
By christianmusicreview,
[Main Review]
Before listening through to Stellar Kart’s most recent release, Expect the Impossible, I wasn’t as familiar with them other then the song “Me & Jesus” that I heard on the radio a lot, and that I really liked I might add. I guess the style of music is what I never really got into. Stellar Kart fits snug into the ‘punk rock’ scene, but this group stuck out compared to the likes of their punk-counterparts. With groups out there such as Hawk Nelson & Family Force 5, the punk scene really seemed to be missing a vital and essential part that makes it “Christian” punk and not mainstream. That would be the message. I didn’t have to look too far to find it either.
Just a little member info on the group for you, Stellar Kart who hails from Phoenix, Arizona consists of lead singer and guitarist, Adam Agee; Cody Pellerin on guitar; Jordan Messer on drums and Brian Calcara on the bass.
The album starts out with a song that I believe could speak directly to the teens of today’s world. Peer pressure has run amuck in today’s society and I think teens face it more then any other age group. Always feeling like they need to conform to fit in. An important thing to remember is brought out in the second verse. “Boys and girls / The real world / Is one that’s filled with / Consequence / And all the lies that glamorize / It’s a life that’s broken”. It continues into a pre-chorus with words of encouragement to those having trouble trying to lead a godly life. “… What’s wrong with being different?” Good question. Don’t let someone make you feel bad for living your life for Christ. You’ll be rewarded for your obedience. Remember that.
“Automatic” is another song that contains a good message. Wouldn’t be cool if we could just ‘automatically’ do things the way God intended for us? As intriguing and as much headache as it would save sometimes the point is, we’re not robots. God created us to make our own choices, walk our own paths and even whether or not to believe in His existence. One of the songs verses points out an aspiration of what our lives should be about. “I wanna love You like its automatic / Make You into my good habit / You’re the only One who really matters”. I also like the line about Yanks always in the playoffs. I’m a Rays fan, so the Yanks being in the AL East always irks me too!
As cliché as it sounds to some, the phrase “Jesus loves you” is always a phrase I welcome to hear. The group kind of spins off of We Can’t Stand Sitting Down’s big single, “Me & Jesus” into another song reminding us of our Savior’s love for us. Need I say anything else? Remember, Jesus loves you. He died for you so that we may have that eternal life (John 3:16) for all that believe. Someone must love me a lot to lay down His life for a sinner like me!
“Sunshine” is another one of those ‘feel good’ tracks that just gets you up even in those times where a drop of rain ruins your day. And yet another reminder that Jesus loves us! The music on the track is catchy too.
The one thing I have had hard times coming to grip with problems is, sometimes the only thing I can do is pray. “Pray” is a reminder that the only thing sometimes that we can do is pray and allow the Lord to work. He may not always answer in the way or timing that you would want, but take advice from the chorus of the song, “Pray / Sit back and watch the scenery change / Hold on to the promise that help is on the way / Pray”. It’s amazing what a prayer can do, amen?
I could go on and on about this CD, but if you made it this far through my book… I mean album review; you can pretty much gather from the review that I think ‘Expect the Impossible’ is a good album. I think the main message of the album is to put God first, allow Him to work in your life and just sit back and see what He can do in your lives. The album title is appropriate for the context of the album’s message. We have a God who can and will. Mark 10:27 is a constant reminder of this. “…With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
Musically I was surprised I could find a ‘punk’ album so enjoyable to listen to. I didn’t know what I was in store for, but after having spent 40 minutes listening, I was quite impressed with what I heard. A lot of the music was catchy but most importantly it rocked. I am a sucker for some catchy rock guitars and some cool sound effects. I’m easily pacified I guess! I even thought for a split second when I heard the beginning of “Eyes” I was listening to a Van Halen cover. No, sorry to disappointment. No Van Halen covers, but if you like those, Stellar Kart does a decent punk-style cover of Bon Jovi’s “Livin on a Prayer” on their debut album, All Gas. No Brakes.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
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I was really impressed with Expect the Impossible. I have to admit, the Christian punk scene has really lacked in the ‘message department’. I guess Christian music doesn’t have to be about Christ anymore. The point is Stellar Kart delivers a great album balanced with great music and an equally great message. I would suggest this one to any who are looking for something cool to listen to and wants to be ministered to while be entertained. The lyrics are simple but yet effective in making the listener know what the band wants to say.
Rating: 9.3 out of 10 (93%, A-)
Review written by: Jay Heilman
(jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org)
Review can also be found at:
http://www.christianmusicreview.org/stellarkart_expecttheimpossible.html
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