Lanae’ Hale – Back & Forth
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Lanae’ Hale
Back & Forth
Centricity Music
Grade – A
Back & Forth is the first full-length CD from Lanae’ Hale following her self-titled EP released in 2008. The young singer/songwriter has a knack for deep, reflective lyrics sung to an artistically poetic and airy style. Back & Forth has a feeling of someone who starts out shyly sharing life’s struggles to someone more ecstatically opening her heart to the listener, just like the song says, “Here’s My Heart.” As with any good singer/songwriter, Lanae’ uses her gift of music to share her heart – the good and the bad, the highs and the lows.
There are a few intimate moments when Lanae’ (a relative newlywed) sings to her husband, on “Let’s Grow Old Together,” which speaks about finding (or keeping) the spark even when life is hectic. For me that would be between changing diapers and running children to piano lessons or worse yet, getting three little children to bed at night! I am always thankful when someone else can put into words something I cannot always express myself. I have no qualms using someone elses love song for my own purposes. ☺ Finally, I think though that all the best qualities of Lanae’ come out in “ Don’t Cry,” a more soft and acoustic song, with a sober message.
While her airy vocals are angelic to listen to and the tone of the music is coffee-shop-cool the real benefit of Back & Forth is her willingness and ability to share with girls her struggles growing up and sharing how she eventually found life in Christ. Quoting her press release, “I want people who are suffering to know, that there really is hope on the otherside of brokenness, because when I was struggling, I didn’t have hope but I desperately wanted it. God worked miracles and literally saved my life.”
For more on Lanae’ and her new album visit http://lanaehale.com/.
- Ken W.
Tags: Lanae' Hale
Red Umbrella – Living and Surviving
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Red Umbrella
Living and Surviving
7 Spin Music
Grade – A
Red Umbrella follows up their excellent debut (Wishing For Boardwalk) with their impressive sophomore effort. “Living and Surviving” demonstrates the bands musical growth from their first album. The band still retains the ELO and Beatle-ish sound yet emphasizes their indie feel that leaves a sound like The Killers.
Just like in their last album, Red Umbrella displays their faith through their lyrics yet they don’t beat you over the head with their message. “Prison Side” tells the story of a judgmental person receiving judgment upon himself. “Boompop” has a message about a faith lifestyle as apposed to a consumerism lifestyle. “Whisper All Your Love” tells of how He is always loving us no matter where we are at in our walk with Him. “Crazy (All Of Me)” takes its imagery directly out of a C. S. Lewis’ “Out of the Silent Planet.” “Babbling Brook” along with the title track asks the question “Will you live, or just survive?”
The only problem I have with the album is that it is only about thirty-two minutes long. Kinda leaves you wanting more. The weakest cut on the album happens to be a cover of The Byrds hit, “Turn, Turn, Turn.” The song does get better towards the end when the musicality of Red Umbrella comes out.
If you liked their first album you will definitely like this one. I would recommend this album to anyone.
Josh B.
Tags: Red Umbrella
Yellow Cavalier
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Yellow Cavalier
Self-Titled
Salus Records
Grade – B
The group Yellow Cavalier consists of Alan Powell, Chad Graham, Caleb Grimm, and Kyle Kupecky, a four-man vocal group reviving the “boy-band” genre. However, the guys are not exactly a boy-band per-se. For starters, the guys are out of high school and they write their own songs. The majority of the EP is set to an upbeat track with some synth and dance beats. The only song that differs greatly is “So Beautiful,” which is a touching love song.
Like I mentioned, the sound is upbeat and the four voices are mixed well. According to the bands website, they sing with a live band which should add to their live performances, at least more so than playing with a recorded soundtrack.
Similar to the three-man group, DC Talk, Yellow Cavalier came together at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, VA. If you leave out the rap there are some slight musical similarities to DC Talk, like the power-pop harmonies.
The self-titled EP is a strong debut. CCMMagazine.com has already named the band as one to watch for 2009. I would agree, the new EP sets them up for something big. I am not one to rally behind the revival of the “boy band” era, but I really think that the title sells the band short as they come at the vocal-group perspective with a bit more authority than the typical “boy-band” of the past. For more on the group visit http://www.yellowcavalier.com.
- Ken W.
Tags: Yellow Cavalier
John Waller – While I’m Waiting
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
John Waller
While I’m Waiting
Beach Street Records
Grade – B+
While I’m Waiting is the sophomore release from Waller, a Georgia-based singer/songwriter. Looking back, Waller was once named as a “Face to Watch” by Billboard magazine. You may also remember that Waller was a part of the national act According to John. Additionally, his debut, The Blessing, was given a top grade by our very own reviewer, Rob Snyder. That is an extraordinary base to work from. However, it’s not as great as a platform as having your title track all over a number one independent movie like Fireproof! As is the case for “While I’m Waiting.”
Aside from containing the movie anthem, the album overall has a respectable worship feel and the soundtrack is quite full, unlike the usual singer/songwriter type album. For the most part, the soundtrack is radio formatted, but it would be easy to adapt the songs to a more personal or corporate worship setting. My personal favorite is “Dead Man Walking” with its more upbeat soundtrack. For the purposes of content and message, I like “Of All the Places,” which is an insightful look at the wonder of Jesus – God in flesh – in a manger and on the cross.
Overall While I’m Waiting is an uplifting project with an accessible pop/rock and worship style. Even without the boost of Fireproo,f I believe the CD has enough content to stand out on its own. For more information visit www.johnwallermusic.com.
- Ken W.
Tags: John Waller
RED – Innocence & Instinct
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Red
Innocence & Instinct
Essential Records
Grade – A+
After releasing a superb debut album that got nominated for a Grammy, RED followed up with another amazing album that is probably better than the first. Joining forces once again with producer Rob Graves, the album does not fail to entertain. The band still infuses strings into its alternative metal sound to give them a powerful feel.
The whole album is influenced by Dante’s Inferno and deals with the fight between doing what is right and wrong. “Never Be The Same” deals with letting go of someone whom you love. “Start Again” talks about realizing how one screwed up a relationship and wants to go back and fix it. “Confession” is about how ashamed one is for the evil and anger he has stored in his heart. Red teams up with Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin on “Shadows” which cries out about sin and asks God for salvation. “Overtake You” expresses weakness yet a strength that comes from God to overcome Satan.
This second release by RED debuted on the US Billboard 200 chart at #15 selling almost 40,000 copies its first week. It only takes one listen to realize why.
Josh B.
Tags: RED
Jars of Clay – The Long Fall Back to Earth
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Jars of Clay
The Long Fall Back To Earth
Gray Matter
Grade – B+
I figured people would jump all over the fact that this was the bands first independent release on the newly formed Gray Matter label. While their newfound independence will certainly allow them some artistic freedom, I do not think the new album is any more progressive than what they have done in the past.
The most notable difference on The Long Fall has more to do with the production than the label. There is a noticeable difference in style between the self-produced tracks and the tracks produced in cooperation with Ron Aniello. The tracks co-produced with Aniello have more of a techno sound added to them.
As far as content goes, the band remains true to their usual profound and meaningful lyrics. The song “Two Hands, “ considered the cornerstone of the album, is consistent with the bands social-justice and missions orientation. It is a song about the human struggle with selflessness. I quote from Dan Haseltine, “one side of us wants to serve Christ and love others, while the other side is concerned only with looking out for ourselves.”
As a band, Jars of Clay is an excellent example of what can become of such a ministry over time. They have paid their dues and they have earned their success and rewards. Along that same path, they have excelled at giving back. The new album is a good sign that this effort is not about to stop anytime soon.
- Ken W.
Tags: Jars of Clay
Smokie Norful – Live
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Smokie Norful
“Live”
EMI
10 tracks @ 65:10
Grade – A
I love the energy in this record of modern gospel music; there’s a passion that’s sometimes hard to find in other recordings.
Norful says, “I’m really just a church kid who loves gospel music, loves God, and loves the Word of God. Where I have a natural tendency to excel is in a live setting.”
This live recording ranges from the soulful “Dear God” to the energetic “No One Else.” Norful tinkles some ivories on “In the Presence of the King.” Can’t miss the funk in “I Will Bless the Lord.”
There’s also a cover of Lionel Richie and the Commodores’ “Jesus is Love,” a duet with Heather Headley.
Norful says, If you catch me on a Sunday morning, I sound like this. I don’t have a Sunday-morning me and then a concert-night me. It’s all about the same person. I dress the same. I sing the same. I preach the same-the Word that you get in between songs is the same you get at church.”
- Rob S.
www.smokienorfulministries.org
Tags: Smokie Norful
Newsboys – In the Hands of God
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Newsboys
“In the Hands of God”
inpop Records
10 tracks @ 37:34
Grade - B+
Hard to believe that this is the band’s 14th studio release during a 22-year career. Produced by Max Hsu of Superchick, “In the Hands of God” doesn’t break much new ground but it is satisfying.
No doubt you’ve heard the pleasant title track all over radio. While the band flirts with emo for a moment (“The Way We Roll”), the new record includes “Lead Me to the Cross,” penned by Brooke Fraser. Peter Furler says, “We don’t see ourselves as part of the iTunes single world-we make a record-and this song had an attitude of worship that helped make the record complete.”
But this new record marks an important transition for the band. It’ll be interesting to see how having Michael Tait as the lead vocalist will go over with fans when the band goes out on tour without Peter Furler. The Newsboys have gone through numerous lineup changes over the years but Furler has been known as the face of the band for quite some time. According to the PR material that came with this record, Furler will continue to write and work on the production side of things.
Of the change, Tait says, “It’s a perfect merger that joins the best of both worlds; I feel like I’m helping to carry on the tradition of two legendary bands who helped put Christian music on the map.”
Furler says, “In the Hands of God” is the perfect album to close this chapter of my life and start afresh with an exciting new role within the band. Newsboys have always been an idea first and foremost, not a band or a singer. It’s about people pulling together their gifts and talents in a collaboration that makes a difference in people’s lives.
“I’m looking forward to focusing on the band’s studio career and spending more time in my own bed after many years in a tour bus and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road.”
That news makes the closing track, “RSL 1984” all the more poignant. Fuler says he started writing the song about 10 years ago. While few of us will pick up on the Aussie references, Furler says “The song is about growing up in Australia without having much vision of the future, but not having much restraint either. The song reflects my perspective as a pastor’s kid wondering where my life was headed. [It’s] about leaving our homes and taking our songs into the world.”
One part of the lyrics in this song that struck me were, “And I know to know His ways are higher than mine. . .We’ll sing with a grateful voice.”
- Rob S.
Tags: Newsboys
Jason Eaton – Nothing Back
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Jason Eaton
“Nothing Back”
JEM Records
5 tracks @ 19:48
Grade – A-
Fans of Jeremy Camp-style rock will want to track down this indie release. A tenor, Jason Eaton is from Michigan and received a degree in music education from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. He’s now pursuing Christian artistry fulltime.
Eaton says, “I’m totally sold out to Christ and holding nothing back from Him. Some people merely pray to God to be rescued when they’re in trouble, but it’s a personal relationship and a daily conversation.”
A couple of his songs were written by John Waller. The song “God Thing” tells us “can’t explain it. . .I’m changing.” Eaton’s powerful vocals shine on “Free.”
His tracks are only available at itunes. I hope this artist has more output down the road as he’s off to a great start.
- Rob S.
Tags: Jason Eaton
Nathan Tasker – Prone To Wander
Jun 8, 2009 CD Reviews
Nathan Tasker
“Prone to Wander: The Hymn Project”
Cross-Word Music
9 tracks @ 36:34
Grade – A
Nathan Tasker is a native of Australia where he was named that country’s “Christian Artist of the year” back in 2006. This is his second release since relocating to the States. He’s recorded some of the older hymns in the Christian canon.
In the linear notes, Nathan says, “Each (song) reminds of a real hope upon which a real life can be built-solid and sure; they all center our attention on Jesus. We just sometimes need a reminder of the things these hymns never forget.”
This is a wonderfully understated record, many of the songs are composed of Nathan’s sweet voice and a guitar. It’s a perfect companion for mediation and letting go. The hymns include “Come Thou Font,” How marvelous,” and “Just As I Am.”
I recently saw Nathan perform “It Is Well” in my church and it was so stunningly beautiful that I was knocked over.
Definitely worth tracking down.
- Rob S.
Tags: Nathan Tasker
