Sent By Ravens – Our Graceful Words
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Sent By Ravens
Our Graceful Words
Tooth & Nail
Grade – B
Another new signing to the Tooth & Nail roster, Sent By Ravens, sends a positive message via catchy melodic rock (infused with some hard core scremo) similar to the band Emery. I particularly like their up-front approach to their song writing, score another one for the gospel-rock genre. While many feel that categories hurt the industry more than they help, I appreciate that some still choose to make music that can be put in a box known as CCM. Their name itself comes from the story of the prophet Elijah who was fed by ravens – an animal that was used by God despite the fact they were thought of as unclean. Content wise the lyrics show a certain amount of seasoned wisdom and practicality. Combined with the catchy melodies and energetic soundtrack it makes for a very credible project. Check out http://www.myspace.com/sentbyravens for more information on Sent By Ravens.
Ken W.
Tags: Sent By Ravens
Jimmy Needham – “Nightlights”
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Jimmy Needham
“Nightlights”
Inpop Records
Grade=A-
Jimmy Needham’s latest release, “Nightlights”, definitely shows off his skills as a singer and songwriter. Solid theological lyrics are present in nearly every track. This album shows Needham’s talent for loading songs with lyrics, and also presents quite a few diverse tracks that vary from his usual pop sound, from to blues and soul, and even towards hip-hop. In “Nightlights”, each song is given its own unique vibe to create a memorable experience.
“Nightlights” opens with the fun and very biblically influenced song “Moving to Zion,” which is about leaving false religion behind to follow Jesus. The upbeat track “Being Small” follows Needham’s classic sound and is loaded with fun yet meaningful lyrics and analogies. The debut single, “Yours To Take,” is another genuine pop tune with a memorable chorus and clear lyrical depth. Listeners have accurately compared his sound to that of mainstream singers Jason Mraz and John Mayer.
Needham most definitely has a gift of making listeners evaluate their own lives through his lyrics. While “The Reason I Sing” presents his personal struggles as a musician, it also reveals the universal difficulties of getting lost in the reasons behind Christian actions. This track still ends on a hopeful note, however, leaving listeners inspired. Extremely thought-provoking lyrics can also be found in the lighter tracks “Miss A Thing” and “Part the Clouds.”
Having been criticized for a “Monotonous sound” on his previous albums, Jimmy Needham has changed things up a bit on this album. The diverse styles of songs, all maintaining their sound, Biblical meanings, are sure to be summer favorites. New and old fans will both be greatly impressed with this latest release, and future releases will no doubt be just as successful if this variety continues.
- Tom F.
Tags: Jimmy Needham
MAE – (a)fternoon
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
MAE
(a)fternoon
Cell Records
Grade – B+
The album, “(a)fternoon” is the second installment in a three-part project that finds the band heavily engaged in the ministry side of things. The first album, “(m)orning” was tied to a significant effort to raise money for a housing project in conjunction with Habitat For Humanity. Through their first release the band helped to raise $65,000 that funded a home for a family in need. With “(a)fternoon” the band is partnering with Donorschoose.org to help raise money for educational purposes.
“(a)fternoon” starts off with a fan-based-collaboration titled “Good (a)fternoon” where fans were asked to record themselves saying “good morning” in their native language. Sonically, the album has an alt-rock and euro-pop sound that is positively upbeat. Although only 8 tracks long, the total length of the album is over 40 minutes, plus when you purchase the CD you get a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes video and a documentary on the bands charity efforts.
While I like the overall vibe and sensibility of the album, the fact that MAE is using their music as such a powerful tool of effectual ministry is most impressive. Please check out what the band is up to by visiting http://www.whatismae.com/.
Ken W.
Tags: MAE
Matthew Fogle – Plea:491
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Matthew Fogle
Plea:491
beMusic Orange
Grade – C+
Matthew is an independent voice in the Christian rock genre and his debut EP “Plea:491” is a respectable introduction to his ministry-minded music. His style is likened to the early days of CCM. The title is taken from Matthew 18:21-22 where Christ teaches to forgive others “seventy times seven” (plus one more).
While the EP holds to Matthew’s rock roots, the overall tone of the album is fused with a bit mellower (acoustic guitar/piano) sound that helps to round off the edges. It gives it an overall smooth sound with a nice groove. However, while the content is original and uplifting, by choice or just by recording styles, the classic sound of the album is likely to turn a few more contemporary listeners away.
You can check out Matthew Fogle online at http://www.myspace.com/matthewfoglemusic.com .
- Ken W.
Tags: Matthew Fogle
Petree – “Weakness Makes You Beautiful”
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Petree
“Weakness Makes You Beautiful”
Dream Records
Grade-B
Petree is the latest artist to join Dream Records. Stephen Petree’s name may not sound too familiar up front, but listeners who enjoyed mainstream alternative radio stations in early 2007, should be well-acquainted with his name. Three years later, he and his new band let loose with a new album “Weakness Makes You Beautiful”.
Album opening song, “Someone To Make Me High,” makes for a highlight musically, the guitar work in particular. The album’s first single, “She Set It,” is fun, infectious track. The funk sound and happy, well-written lyrics are positives, The final song also has an original sound, unique only to Petree. “I Can’t Wait” features subtle guitars over tribal drums, and a well-overdone chorus of Petree shouting “I can’t wait!” It’s a nice display of hope for God’s coming Kingdom, but I think the album may have been better if if “It’s Always Been You” had been the album finale.
The album’s one and only noticeable downside, is that many songs sound like current mainstream hits. Many listeners have compared the band’s sound to that of Muse with some 80’s dance sounds blended together. Petree’s “Weakness Makes You Beautiful” definitely has its moments of goodness, and really, it’s a great album. “Someone To Make Me High,” “Weakness Makes You Beautiful,” “Normal Life” and “It’s Always Been You,” regardless of what other band they sound like, are all good songs, but, overall, I think Petree needs to focus more on creating their own sound, because their lyrics are very well-crafted. The band obviously has the lyrical and musical talent, now they just need to find their own sound-the key to help them stand out from the pack.
- Tom F.
Tags: Petree
Poema Sing It Now
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Poema
Sing It Now
Tooth & Nail
Grade – C
Poema is fronted by siblings Shealeen and Elle, who began pursuing a music career in their mid-to-late-teens. The pop-duo is beyond the tween-pop and their sound is more mature and singer-songwriter style. The airy sounding melodies and soft foundation of the soundtrack make for a pleasant listening experience, but I did not connect with the meaning of the album lyrically.
Their seemed to be a focus on relationships, which is normal for their age, but it was too ordinary and self-centered or juvenile and less of “God’s poem” as they were hoping to portray. Take “2am” for example; “It’s 2 am, it’s gonna be another long night thinking ’bout what could have been, If I have been a little more this, a little more that, a little more everything you want.” It seems a bit unhealthy to want a boy to like you so much that you doubt who you are as a person.
It was this general romanticism that brought the project down for me. You can check out Poema for yourself at http://www.myspace.com/poemaoffical.
Ken W.
Tags: Poema
Jeremy Horn – We Welcome You In
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Jeremy Horn
We Welcome You In
Ardent/INO Records
Grade – B
Jeremy Horn is a worship artist from the Memphis, TN area and “We Welcome You In” is his second label release. In fitting form, the album has been recorded live giving you a more authentic worship experience. Jeremy’s song writing is original and passionately uplifting. I love the gentle flow of “Upon the Mountain” as it sets a reverent tone of worship that I can connect with emotionally and spiritually. This feeling is further perpetuated in songs like “Breath On Us” and “Write Your Name on My Heart.” Other tracks like “All in All” make great congregational worship songs that could easily fit into any contemporary service.
“We Welcome You In” is my first encounter with Jeremy’s music and I am wholly impressed with the originality and the passion of the delivery. The live format was perfect for this project and I think it adds a lot to the content of the message to hear it right from the heart of the artist.
For more on Jeremy Horn check out http://www.jeremyhornmusic.com.
- Ken W.
Tags: Jeremy Horn
Charmaine – “Love Reality”
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Charmaine
“Love Reality”
10 tracks, 40 minutes
Grade – A+
It’s been eight years since Charmaine first caught the attention of the music world with her first CD ‘All About Jesus’. Now she’s back with ‘Love Reality’, an offbeat pop album that marks a new direction in the Australian artist’s career.
The album starts off with the orchestral introduction to “Tell Me”, setting the tone for the rest of the songs. Each track carries the upbeat pop feel to it, though each track is surprisingly unique. From the upbeat piano in the title track “Love Reality” to the whimsical “Tokyo” to the slower, more thoughtful “Not Fair” – the album is strong both musically and lyrically. The final song of the album, “Revolutionary Thought” carries a beautiful melody and sums up the theme of the album perfectly with the lines ‘what a revolutionary thought, that God is all we hoped He’d be – closer than the air we breathe’.
Although it can be difficult to create something new and different in the Christian music industry while still remaining true to the purpose, Charmaine accomplishes just that with ‘Love Reality’.
-Elise
Tags: Charmaine
Hillsong LIVE – “A Beautiful Exchange”
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Hillsong LIVE
“A Beautiful Exchange”
13 tracks @ 71:25
Sparrow Records
Grade = A-
This nineteenth recording will please those comfortable with the Hillsong style of live worship recordings.
Each year Hillsong records songs from its worship community around the world that have resonated with the church. The new record includes “Forever Reign,” the first radio single to be released from the album and was written by Hillsong LIVE’s Reuben Morgan along with Jason Ingram.
“So often I feel like I come to God, and I’ve got nothing,” says Morgan. “But when I feel like there is no good in me, no joy in me, no peace – He is peace, He is joy, He is our salvation. I love that confession. I love singing the chorus of this song with both hands raised. It’s been humbling to see how the church has taken hold of this song.”
“The church didn’t want to stop singing, everyone was worshipping with all their hearts,” says Autumn Hardman, Hillsong LIVE Music Director, about the night A Beautiful Exchange was recorded last fall. “Every song carried a sense of freshness right from the start, and even in the studio sessions weeks out, we could feel the excitement about this year’s recording. Everyone brought their ideas, keyboard sounds, guitar lines, drum grooves, and stayed late into the night many nights working out the songs and arrangements.”
I enjoyed the atmospheric “Like Incense/Sometimes by Step.”
There’s also a DVD available and Hillsong LIVE will launch its first U.S. tour with 12 dates starting at the end of July.
- Rob S.
http://live.hillsong.com/
www.theiheartrevolution.com.
Tags: Hillsong LIVE
Austins Bridge – “Times Like These”
Jun 3, 2010 CD Reviews
Austins Bridge
“Times Like These”
Day Wind Records
10 tracks @ 38:19
Grade = A
This group has already made an impact winning a Dove Award (2008) for best Bluegrass Song and garnered another four nominations for 2010. Fans of Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban will appreciate this disk.
I can’t say I’m a fan of modern country but I did enjoy this disk. The rousing “Good Times” has some great lyrics; “Hey hey, you ever know, a little southern music might free your soul.” “Dash Between the Dates” is another track with excellent lyrics which address the question, what are you going to do between your birth and death?
“Big Sky” may be a hit on country radio but its generic lyrics will keep it from seeing the light of day on Christian radio.
- Rob S.
www.austinsbridge.com
Tags: Austins Bridge
