Owl City – Shooting Star EP
May 16, 2012 CD Reviews
Owl City
Shooting Star EP
4 songs, 16 minutes
Grade – B+
It’s only been a year since Owl City released the widely popular “All Things Bright & Beautiful”, but since then the shy Minnesotan natvie has been hard at work on a new album slated for release late this summer. As an appetizer to keep fans dancing until then, the Shooting Star EP contains four of what Young calls the “most descriptive tracks” off the upcoming release.
The first track on the EP, “Shooting Star” is all about being yourself and making a difference in the world. Musically it’s reminiscent of several songs from Ocean Eyes, but with more of a rock flavor on the chorus. “Gold”, perhaps the most memorable of the 4 songs, features a whistling track behind the vocals and a chorus that will stick in your head for days. The verses encourage listeners to follow their dreams, while the chorus almost could be read as to God wth the line ‘I don’t need the stars in the night/I’ve found my Treasure.’ The next track “Dementia” which features background vocals by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 also sounds more like Owl City’s previous work. It details the stop-and-go confusion of past regrets and their ability to drive one crazy. The last song on the EP, “Take It All Away” is a slow-building rhythmic song to a lost love, about the brokenness after the relationship failed.
The EP is solid both musically and lyrically, though longtime fans will notice a major change in both. There’s a broader, more mainstream sound and fewer electronic hooks throughout. The four tracks are far more cohesive and alike than anything on past releases. Lyrically the songs have a much more serious feel (with at least two of the songs being about heartbreak and regret) compared to Young’s usual happy, uplifting, sometimes almost nonsensical messages. It’sthe first time in Owl City’s career that Young has sought out other artists’ collaboration in the writing and production processes. Their influences are evident, from KoOol Kojack on “Take It All Away” to Matt Thiessen of Relient K on “Shooting Star”.
Newer fans and casual listeners will enjoy the Shooting Star EP; however, older fans might miss the quirky lyrics, positivity, and unique sound that once set Owl City apart.
- Elise F.
Samestate – The Alignment
May 16, 2012 CD Reviews
Samestate
The Alignment
11 songs, 46 minutes
Grade – B+
I had the opportunity to first hear Samestate live last September; I was very excited to get to review The Alignment, though I was afraid it might not live up to my expectations of the talented quintet. Thankfully, I had absolutely nothing to fear.
From the opening track “Realign” the passion behind the music is evident along with strong talent, if unfortunately somewhat unused throughout the album. For a debut, however, The Alignment was surprisingly enjoyable to listen to from start to finish, and with time I hope they continue to develop their skill and challenge themselves. I found myself coming back to tracks like “Hurricane” and “Hearts Like Fire” – upbeat worship songs that stand out from some of the less-memorable tracks like “King” or “Wake Me Up” which feature some high points, but not as much depth. The album ends softly with “Symphones” which incorporates strings with a simple guitar balad and lead singer Dalton Diehl’s tenor to create a beautiful closer.
I was impressed with Samestate’s debut, and, having seen the guys live, I have no doubt of their passion and sincerity for their music. They have great potential, and I , for one, can’t wait to hear them grow from here!
- Elise F.
The Jellyrox – Heta Himlen
May 16, 2012 CD Reviews
The Jellyrox
Heta Himlen
10 songs, 38 minutes
Grade – A
Less than six months after the release of Eleventyseven’s Sugarfist, lead singer Matt Langston put out his solo project’s first full-length album, Heta Himlen. As a fan of the band, I decided to give his side project a listen out of casual curiosity.
What I found surprised me. Not surprisingly, The Jellyrox sounds musically much like Eleventyseven, but with all the guitars replaced by well-crafted synth loops reminiscent of Swimming With Dolphins or Owl City’s independent days. Langston also shows much more skill vocally than he’s ever been able to with the band.
Lyrically many of the songs are about romantic relationships and their ups and downs. From the upbeat and catchy opener “Glued” which sings to a girl who keeps him positive and grounded in hard times to the darker and more progressive “Survive My Love” warning a girl to know what she’s getting into as she lures him in. But when the album wanders from human relationships, it wanders to interesting places.
“All My Bones” sings about longing for heaven and deliverance from the darkness in our present world. In the next track, “Shaken Out”, the singer realizes his over-confidence in himself and asks God to take him from his comfort zone. “Dream Weaver”, perhaps the catchiest and best track on the entire album, is about finding freedom from everyday life in a world of dreams.
Another of the stronger tracks, “Mind Machine” begs God, ‘Shut down my mind machine/it’s hard to find You when I’m still lost in me.’ The quirky closing track “Closet Monster” rounds out the ecclectic mix of lyrical themes by singing about exactly what the title suggests – a monster who lives in the closet.
I was blown away by the talent evident on Heta Himlen. It’s upbeat fun, and it’s impossible to listen through without dancing – or at least bobbing along to the rhythm. Its diversity is evident, from the technopop of tracks like “Glued” to the 80′s new-wave sound in “Dream Weaver.” Complete with the perfect amount of thought-provoking lines sprinkled throughout its catchy tracks, Heta Himlen is definitely one of my favorite releases of 2012 so far.
- Elise.
Eleven22 – The Reason
May 16, 2012 CD Reviews
Eleven22
The Reason
12 songs, 67 minutes
Grade – B
Eleven22 originally started as a worship team in the Beach United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, but soon became more widely known after writing songs used by Jesus Culture. Now the group is releasing their own worship album, The Reason in an attempt to “reach out to the unreachable.”
The album begins with the strongest track “I Found A Love” which joyously proclaims ‘I found a love greater than life itself/..I’m alive in You!’ Some of the other memorable tracks include “Burning Hearts”, the upbeat “Dress Us Up”, and the beautiful cover of “It Is Well”. It should also be noted that while several worship choruses sing about God, Eleven22 feel it is their passion to write songs to God, providing for a unique, more intimate form of worship.
The Reason is a strong worship album filled with beautiful melodies and uplifting choruses. Where it falls short, however, is memorability. Several of the songs, though beautiful, are hard to sing along to. Nonetheless, fans of groups like HIllsong and Jesus Culture will find much to like in Eleven22′s latest release.
- Elise F.
Todd Agnew – How To Be Loved
May 8, 2012 CD Reviews
Todd Agnew
How To Be Loved
Grade – B+
Todd Agnew is probably best know for his enormously popular song “Grace Like Rain”. Since the song debuted, Agnew has continued writing songs that inspire and speak to the heart.
“The One You Want” is an absolutely beautiful opener to this album. The song has a very personal edge to it, as Agnew bravely shares his fears with listeners. “It’s hard for me to believe I could be lovely in Your eyes – that I’m really the one You want / It’s hard for me to believe You would want me by Your side – that I’m really the one You want.” The song is a slower, gentle track lead by an acoustic guitar and backed up by soft orchestral tones. Agnew’s low voice really complements the gentle background. I found this song to be extremely relatable, as I’m sure many others will too.
“Loved” is another standout track. It shines with a fresh sound, reminiscent of something John Mayer would create. “Through all of the lonely years, the shame and fear it’s so hard to believe, but You’re teaching me how to be loved.” Once again, Agnew has created a song that is easy for listeners to relate to and apply to their own lives. I really enjoyed the overall feel of this track.
“How To Be Loved” is a nice collection of sincere, heartfelt songs created to inspire listeners. As mentioned, many of them are very relatable in the themes they boast. It’s wonderful to know that no matter what we’re going through in life, we are never alone. Agnew’s new album is sure to remind many people of this simple truth.
- Tom F.
Jimmy Needham – Clear The Stage
May 8, 2012 CD Reviews
Jimmy Needham
Clear The Stage
Inpop Records
Grade – A
I’ll always remember hearing Jimmy Needham’s music for the first time. I was introduced to his work on his previous album “Nightlights”. I was impressed at the diverse musicality presented in the album. He explored new styles and each song sounded different from the next. I was also struck by his witty lyrical style. Clever word play, puns, and overall creativity really set his work apart from the rest. The standard had been set very high and I wondered if anything could top “Nightlights” or “Not Without Love”. I’m excited to say that Jimmy has done it again. He’s not only met the unrealistically high standard his previous work set, but he has gone above and beyond in his newest album, “Clear The Stage.” The album offers everything fans have come to know and love from Jimmy Needham and so much more.
“I Will Find You” serves as an upbeat, energetic R&B opener with a guest appearance from Lecrae. “If I Ever Needed Grace” opens with beautiful, deep piano tones. Jimmy profoundly declares his need for grace in the album’s first single.
“Daddy’s Baby Girl” is a song Jimmy wrote for his daughter. It’s light and fun as he lists all the many things he loves about his baby girl. Definitely a song any parent will enjoy. “Clear The Stage” is a wonderful piano-driven track in which Jimmy asks God to clear the distractions out of life so he can focus on what’s truly important. It’s definitely a song that I felt I could relate to – so often I get caught up in things that happen each day I forgot what’s most important. The entire album is centered around the message in this song and I think a lot of people will really relate to it well.
I was overjoyed to find that Jimmy’s clever lyrics returned in the new album. There are too many instances to list, but Jimmy definitely has a gift when it comes to songwriting. They’re written in conversational tones and are a joy to listen to. His musical versatility is stronger than ever and there are many different sounds and styles experienced on the album. I definitely recommend checking out this project as well as his previous albums!
Tom F.
Dave Barnes – “Stories To Tell”
May 8, 2012 CD Reviews
Dave Barnes
“Stories To Tell”
Razor & Tie
Grade – A
Dave Barnes left the world wanting more after “What We Want, What We Get” and his recent Christmas album “Very Merry Christmas”. After watching “God Gave Me You” become a critical success in both Christian and mainstream circles, the bar was set high for his next project. “Stories to Tell” shatters every preconception as Barnes takes listeners on a musical journey full of new sounds and catchy melodies.
“White Flag” is an upbeat pop track lined with tight harmonies, carried by a strong beat. Possibly one of the most radio-friendly tracks on the album, “White Flag” is fun, fresh, and full of life. It welcomes listeners in and sets the standard high for the rest of the album.
In “Love Will Be Enough For Us”, Barnes trades the upbeat pop stylings in for a laid back sound much like something from “What We Want…”. In this gentle country track Barnes daydreams of a simple life “Living out where the river bends, where the highway ends – living easy / Love will be enough for us”. Barnes soft vocals blend with the acoustic guitars and flow lazily through through the song.
“Stories To Tell” offers an eclectic collection of musical styles – all of which Barnes pulls off well. While there are new sounds presented, the heartfelt, genuine feel remains the same. There’s a nice balance of slower and upbeat tracks and the different styles complement each other well. Dave Barnes has definitely grown as a songwriter and performer and it’s evident throughout each track in the album.
Tom F.
Christy Nockels – Into The Glorious
May 8, 2012 CD Reviews
Christy Nockels
Into The Glorious
Sixteps Records
Grade – A
Christy Nockels, well-known for her work with the band Watermark and the Passion conferences, has graced the world with several beautiful worship songs including “Gloria”, “Glory Of Your Name” and more recently “Waiting Here For You”. Her sophomore project “Into the Glorious” is a beautiful collection of profound worship songs. Many of the songs are very personal in nature, often reading like prayers. It makes it easy to relate to the songs and to utilize the prayers for ourselves, something I really enjoyed about the music on this album.
“Ever Lifting” is a stomping country track complete with a banjo and handclaps. It’s a very catchy track with musical stylings reminiscent of something from a Taylor Swift album. It’s bright and fun and has the makings for a youth group favorite.
“Wonderful” is a slower, piano-driven track in which Christy gently praises her Creator for all He’s done. It’s a very peaceful song, also with strong potential to become a congregational favorite. “Waiting Here For You” is retooled studio version of her wildly popular hit from the Passion albums. It’s a personal favorite from the album and already has been widely accepted by churches nationwide. It’s a wonderful track, but I enjoyed the live version a little bit more. I definitely recommend checking out the live version of this track for a truly worshipful experience.
“Sing Along” was another standout track on the album. The lyrics are quite profound and the song can be interpreted in many ways. Initially, I understood the song to be a lullaby. “Great God, wrap Your arms around this world tonight / When You hear our cries, sing through the night so we can join in Your song and sing along.” It became clear to me that the song could also be a prayer prayed in times of suffering. This is a truly remarkable song and when the choir of children join towards the ending – it’s truly an amazing experience.
Christy Nockels is a tremendously talented artist. She has a gift when it comes to songwriting – her sincerity and heart shine through each and every line. She is also gifted vocally. Her gentle voice flows through the melodies making each song beautiful to listen to. Each track offers something wonderful – I can’t recommend this album enough.
- Tom F.
Adam Cappa – The Rescue
May 8, 2012 CD Reviews
Adam Cappa
The Rescue
BEC Recordings
Grade – A
Adam Cappa is one of Christian music’s newest (and most promising) artists. Adam is currently on tour with friend and recording artist, Jeremy Camp, who also co-wrote on Adam’s debut album “The Rescue”. Each of the ten tracks are bursting at the seams with passion and sincerity.
“The Rescue” serves as both the album’s opener and first single. The story of Peter walking on the water is woven into the track’s lyrics as Adam proclaims “I need You right now, here in this moment / I’m losing ground – can’t keep going / I’m calling out for You to rescue me.”
“Sail Away” is one of the album’s finest songs. “Sail away my friend, don’t let the world bring you down / Sail away now, you can rest in Him / Find strength in the only One who brings true life – the One who understands / Oh my friend, sail away”. There’s something about the way Adam sings those lines – it draws listeners in and makes them feel as if the song was written for (and sung to) them. There’s a certain sincerity in both the lyrics and the way they are presented that is truly remarkable. It’s a beautiful track and Adam’s strong vocals really soar in the final chorus.
“The Rescue” is a very impressive debut album. The messages of hope, redemption, and salvation are powerful and relevant for today’s listeners. Adam’s got a strong voice and the delivery of each song is top notch. Many of his songs are radio-worthy and the strong guitars make for a memorable listening experience as well. Adam Cappa is definitely an artist to watch. There are big things in store for him and I can’t wait to see the places he goes.
Tom F.
Holly Spears – Heartache to Hope
May 8, 2012 CD Reviews
Holly Spears
Heartache to Hope
Girl on a Mission Music
I like the easy flowing soundtrack and the sincerity of the lyrics. She reminds me of “Bon Voyage” (Tooth and Nail) with that same “atmospheric” sound. This album is about life and life is messy, Spears clearly knows that while hope is out there, it does not always come easily – we struggle, we plead, we cry and we desperately need the hope of the Gospel.
When I listen to “Even Flowers” I hear a heart that has been set free from so much pain, one that has found peace and can now look back and see how her trials have helped shape who she is today.
Aptly closing with the title track, “Heartache and Hope,” the CD ends on a very positive note. Spears writes with her heart on her sleeve and from a heart that’s been broken. While I do not share the same experiences, I do find that I can empathize with her which is what I think she is in turn doing to the listener as well, by sharing her heart and reaching out to others who are in the midst of the heartache.
- Ken W
