VOTA
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
VOTA
INO Records
Grade – A
This is an anomaly for me. A standard pop/rock project from a band with high aspirations – except that this time I love it! The self-titled debut from VOTA has me hooked on multiple levels. I like the melodious sound of Bryan Olesen and the poppy choruses when joined by the bgv. The soundtrack is punchy and full of hooks and catchy melodies.
The sound is upbeat overall and funky. Although the bands own press materials state that they (the band) have created a “new” sound for Christian music, I have found a lot of likenesses to some notable bands like the Newsboys (i.e. the catchy pop sound and choruses) and some of the soul and groove of Kevin Max (Stereotype B and prior). Just listen to “Honestly” and tell me you don’t hear similarities to Kevin Max.
The entire debut is a solid undertaking and a bright star in the pop/rock genre. I should note too that although this is an INO debut, the band is not exactly a freshman band. You may have heard of them under the moniker Casting Pearls. The band has taken on a new name for many reasons – new sound, members, management, and label. Good enough. No need to even worry about comparisons to Casting Crowns or any confusion with either bands work.
I am going to be enjoying this album immensely and I hope to have the chance to see the band live someday. From the looks of their MySpace page, the band is actively touring and promoting the new album. (Just a note to the band, it looks like you have July open so make sure you hit Lifest!)
- Ken W.
http://www.myspace.com/votaband
Jeremy Camp – Speaking Louder Than Before
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
Jeremy Camp
Speaking Louder Than Before
BEC Recordings
Grade – C+//B
I am on the fence about the latest from Jeremy Camp, mostly because of the composition of the soundtrack. There is no denying that Jeremy himself is still a relevant voice in the CCM pop/rock market and he continues to pour his heart into the content, but the soundtrack is getting redundant and familiar. It is hard to not like a song like “There Will Be A Day.” The song speaks of trials and great hope, but the sound is not all that different. This was the feeling I got through most of the CD and it was a distraction.
The thing is I do not think any of this will matter to the core Jeremy Camp fans. My inclination is to believe that the music is secondary to the large heart of Jeremy Camp and the transparency of the content of the album.
You can find out more about the album on the official BEC website and look for Jeremy on tour this spring with The Rock And Worship Roadshow Tour .
http://www.becrecordings.com/artists/70/Jeremy_Camp/
The Glorious Unseen – Cries of the Broken
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
Glorius Unseen
The Glorious Unseen
Cries of the Broken
BEC Recordings
Grade – A
Cries of the Broken (Digital EP) is one of the best worship projects I have had the pleasure to hear in a long time, it has flexed some worship muscles I have also not used in a long time. The title best describes the tone of the album, which is a cry or plea to God. What I get out of it is a longing to worship the Lord and to call on Him for strength and hope. Most of all, hope. The raw emotion and slightly undertone soundtrack is a perfect catalyst for heartfelt worship.
Check out the band on either their official page or their MySpace for more information. It appears that the band is actively touring this spring and there is also talk of working on the next full-length project.
- Ken W.
http://www.becrecordings.com/artists/76/The_Glorious_Unseen/
Paul Colman – History
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
Paul Colman
History
Inpop Records
Grade – C+
Here it is in a nutshell – Paul Colman Trio, Paul Colman (solo), Paul Colman – Newsboys, Paul Colman (solo). That is the history of Paul Colman, as I understand it. The new CD, titled History, is a synopsis of this history along with a few new cover songs. Interestingly, the Delirious cover “History Maker” seems to have taken on a Newsboys-type sound.
I am not that all that familiar with Paul Colman aside from his time with the Newsboys, so I had to steal from his official press release to make sense of this.
The album showcases the best of Colman’s career, including two previously unreleased tracks and new recordings of popular songs by best-selling artists including Toby Keith & Delirious. Among the History collection are Paul Colman Trio radio hits “Turn,” “Run” and “Fill My Cup” in addition to remakes of the Delirious hit “History Maker,” Toby Keith’s “If I Was Jesus,” and “Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation” by Larry Norman. Also on the album are cuts from Colman’s 2005 solo debut, Let It Go, as well as the never before released “All U Need” and “The Killing Tree (Live).”
For me, the History CD has peaked my interest in what is to come with Paul Colman’s revived solo career. Not being all that familiar with his work before the Newsboys, the content of this album is a different form of history for me.
- Ken W.
Julian Drive – My Coming Day
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
Julian Drive
My Coming Day
Inpop Records
Grade – C+
As I listen to My Coming Day, the Inpop debut from Julian Drive, my feelings have been wavering on what I really think about it. The band does not break any new ground via their sound, but at the same time the music is solid and well crafted. I find that occasionally the tempo becomes contagious, but it does not carry through the entire project. Sadly, one of the better tracks is a remake of “Reason” (Hoobastank) and not an original from the band. However, I do find the message of the bands originals to be uplifting and gospel focused. Overall the album may just be too average for me to really get behind it, while at the same time it is good enough for me to recommend gospel-rock enthusiast to check it out further.
- Ken W.
http://www.juliandrive.com/home.html
Drew Lukes – Unworthy
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
Drew Lukes
Unworthy
Independent
Grade – B
This album came to me through a fellow college student of Drew’s and a mutual friend of the both of us. Having received a large handful of independent releases the past eight or more years, I was immediately impressed with the packaging (seriously, people get awards for this stuff). Anyway, I’m not saying the packaging was award winning, but it did indicate to me that this was a project Drew was willing to invest in. Of course, as I have learned from Tommy Boy, it’s not always what is on the box that counts.
I took some time then to see what was in the box, and I found that the album was peaceful with an acoustic soundtrack, guitar led, with acoustic percussion and occasional strings that create a beautiful sound together. The majority of the album appears to have been written by Drew with the exception of a song or two. To his credit the songs are original and ideal for worship. However, the overall serenity of the album does make it more place bound. Meaning that while the songs are perfect for worship, they are more fitting for corporate or small group worship than for every day use around work or home. I found that it did not hold my attention as well at home or while working.
For an independent project I was impressed with the effort and the final product. If you are looking for new worship songs for Sunday services or Bible studies, then Drew may just be the resource you are looking for. You can check out his music on MySpace.
- Ken W.
Your Name – Integrity Music
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
“Your Name”
Integrity Music
10 tracks @ 34:34
Grade = B
This concept record of worship songs is the result of a Google search. Producer Ian Eskelin explains.
“When we first started doing research for the project, I did a ‘Google’ search and found a list of more than 50 names of God. It’s amazing what you can learn about the character of God from each one and it gave us extraordinary content for writing these songs.”
Songwriter Brian White says, “From a musical standpoint we wanted to create something that didn’t sound lie anything else out there.”
The uplifting “Life,” sung by Leeland Mooring and Joel Auge really rocks. “Your Name,” sung by Phil Wickman and Paul Baloche, has been all over the radio in our area, while “Almighty,” sung by Josh Reedy Ayiesha Woods is a nice change of pace.
Overall, pretty simple lyrics, nothing exceptional or profound, and musically typical for the genre.
There are many worship support materials for this project.
- Rob S.
New Life Church – Counting On God
Feb 5, 2009 CD Reviews
New Life Church
“Counting on God”
Integrity Music
12 tracks @ 76:45
Grade = B
Whoa.
That was my reaction to the buoyant, multi-layered title track. New Life Church of Colorado has made a lot of news recently, not necessarily good news. Jared Anderson says, “This song helps us put our battles into proper perspective. We are nothing like we used to be. The testing of our faith has made us more revolved.”
Another winner on this disk of live modern rock worship is “Glorified.”
Ross Parsley says of his song “Savior,” “Position is nothing, direction is everything with God. He never punishes us for where we re, only for refusing to go where he is leading. He is a Savior, and he wants to save us for His great glory and purpose.”
“Because of Christ,” Parsley says, “The chains of our mistakes or failures don’t have to keep us bound. He takes our brokenness, mistakes and failures and in the restoration process makes us better than we were.”
On the other hand, this disk has a dual personality. After I hear 2-3 mellow songs in a row, I get sleepy.
This project also has worship resources.
- Rob S.
Veggietales: Abe and the Amazing Promise
Feb 5, 2009 DVD Reviews
Veggietales: Abe and the Amazing Promise
Big Idea
The latest story teaches patience from the perspective of the biblical narrative of Abraham and Sarah and their impatience (or mistrust) of God’s promise. The lead into the story is very clever, as they use a behind-the-scenes of a movie production to recount the story. As the story gets rolling I love the setting of the retirement home, miniature golf and swimming pools! The story is loaded witty little illustrations of what it means to be patient, and all together they teach the lesson as a whole – trust in God and be patient. It is notable though, to point out that episode leaves out a whole lot of the story, like everything about Hagar and Ishmael. However, as the character of Abraham says, “there’s a lot more actually, but as far as patience go, it’s a good place to stop.”
The main story is less than 20 minutes and it’s followed by a silly song with Larry titled “Sneeze If You Need To!” and a second episode titled “Blunders in Boo-Boo-Ville,” a musical featuring Larry the Cucumber. This too is a story on patience.
- Ken W.
VEGGIETALES®: ABE AND THE AMAZING PROMISE
Available February 7, 2009
Featuring A Lesson On Patience – New DVD Is Worth The Wait!
Nationally Syndicated Radio Show Host, “Delilah,” Voices VeggieTales Character
PLUS! Simultaneous Release Of The VeggieTales® Bible From ZonderkidzÔ
FRANKLIN, TN (November 5, 2008) – Good things come to those who wait! VeggieTales®: Abe and the Amazing Promise, the exciting new Bible-story-based adventure from Big Idea, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group company, releases on DVD February 7, 2009. The DVD launches amidst a comprehensive multi-product VeggieTales “Values To Grow By” marketing campaign.
Abe and the Amazing Promise is a Veggie-spun Bible classic that tells the story of Abraham and Sarah and their wait for a promised child. Featuring a lesson in patience, the DVD showcases nationally syndicated radio host “Delilah” as the voice of Sarah. Including a new Silly Song with Larry entitled “Sneeze If You Need To!,” the musical “misadventures” of Blunders in Boo-Boo-Ville and lots of family-friendly bonus features, this highly anticipated title is available for $14.99 SRP in Christian stores Saturday, February 7, 2009 and everywhere Tuesday February 10, 2009. The product will be distributed in the CBA market through Word Distribution and in the general market through Genius Products.
Releasing simultaneously in February with the Abe and the Amazing Promise DVD will be The VeggieTales® Bible from ZonderkidzÔ. This full-text Bible, aimed at children 8-years old and under, will be offered at $24.99 SRP (Jacketed Hardcover) and available in the complete New International Version (NIV,) considered to be the most-read and most-trusted Bible translation. Highlights include 32 full-color pages with a Veggie-retelling of eight favorite Bible stories pictorially, as well as a “Veggie Values” feature where Bob and Larry show kids how to find themes such as forgiveness, trusting in God, being helpful and more. The VeggieTales Bible invites children to experience God’s Word using the backdrop of much-loved VeggieTales characters, who remind them that “God made you special, and He loves you very much!”
“We are honored to bring these inspiring, entertaining and meaningful products to today’s families,” says Greg Fritz, SVP of Marketing and Licensing for Big Idea. “Abe teaches a wonderful lesson in patience, which is a welcome message for kids and parents alike! And we trust that The VeggieTales® Bible from Zonderkidz will be instrumental in getting kids engaged in God’s Word and discovering that they are uniquely made and completely loved.”
“There is so much buzz from consumers and retailers about the new VeggieTales® Bible,” adds Annette Bourland, Zonderkidz Senior Vice President and Publisher. “Zonderkidz is proud to partner with Big Idea on a brand we know kids will love and parents will trust. This dynamic partnership allows us to publish a Bible that will inspire many children and their families.’”
VeggieTales “Values To Grow By” Campaign
As part of the strategic marketing initiatives for the new year, Big Idea will launch their “Values To Grow By” spring campaign beginning with the release of Abe and the Amazing Promise DVD February 7, plus three classic reissues of best selling Bible story-themed titles Rack, Shack and Benny, Josh and the Big Wall and Dave and the Giant Pickle. Each DVD will sport an exciting new look with a fresh cover design and a fun new VeggieTales logo. The catalog titles will be re-priced and re-promoted at $9.99 SRP.
In addition to a strong presence at retail, Big Idea will introduce the VeggieTales “Values To Grow By Companion Guide” with extensive teaching resources for parents and children’s ministry leaders. The resource guide will consist of 12 Bible study sections with activities and lessons based on VeggieTales Bible-story-themed DVDs, including Abe and the Amazing Promise. The resource guide will be introduced at children’s pastor’s conferences and ministry events in early 2009 and available for purchase at bigidea.com and through Christian retailers.
