BDA

“Better Days Ahead”

Creative Trust Workshop

12 tracks @ 46:37 TRT

From Greenville College of Illinois, the school that produced Jars of Clay, comes BDA. The band's PR material says BDA's “original sound strikes listeners' attention the way music used to-with hooky, creative melodies and strong songwriting. No glam, no gimmicks, just five optimistic guys stepping up to tell the truth.”

I don't know how far I'd apply the “original' label to this band, especially when I'm reviewing a record from a very similar sounding band, Seven Places.

That's not a bad thing. This is basic, mid-tempo rock. The opening track and first single, “Maybe You,” is a straight-ahead rocker. “Mystery of You” tells us that while God resists being figured out, it features the chorus, “calling me endlessly deeper to love you.”

“Endless” has an acoustic open and revolves around the theme that God's love is endless. “You Loved Me When” has a similar theme, God still loves me even when “I lost my way.” “Into Our Midst' could become a new modern worship anthem, “Let us slowly lose our grip in the haven of your grace.”

BDA produces a solid debut, a band worth keeping an eye on.

- Rob S.