CD Review: Number One Gun "To the Secrets and Knowledge"

I will start this review with a disclaimer: I have not been interested in 85% of the Christian rock music that has come out in the last 5 years. I just feel like it has all been done and we are currently in a rut. I don’t know if that makes me jaded, but oh well. With that being said, I really enjoyed Number One Gun's new project, To the Secrets and Knowledge. I can’t say that it is ground breaking in any way, but what they are doing they are doing well. I am also comparing it to their previous releases, which never really caught my interest. I would say that the biggest difference is the use of space in their music and the integration non-distracting production.

When I say space I mean that they utilize dynamics well. Many pop/rock groups are “go, go, go” in their music which will just wear out the listener. It’s fine if you are listening to a single on the radio, but when you listen to a complete album you need the music to take you through a full spectrum of emotions. I feel that this album does that. They are not afraid to strip a song down like on “The People”, or go crazy with production, like on “The Victory". It’s refreshing.

As for the production, I will admit that I love the use of “ear candy” on recordings. Some people say it takes away from the true organic feel of a song. I disagree. I think production can add an entire different dimension to music. When I say this, I mean production that is truly integrated into the music. The production becomes the “hook” in some songs. This album does a great job of utilizing recording techniques and technology.

All in all I like this album. It is a solid recording and a record that will not easily bore me. I see it playing on my iPod in regular rotation for a while to come. Enjoy!

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Find out more about Number One Gun here:

Facebook
Myspace
Purevolume

(this review provided by Brian Rohrer)

CD Review: Relient K "Forget And Not Slow Down"

Have you ever listened in on a conversation that was way too personal for you to listen to, but you couldn't help yourself? That's how I feel about Relient K's latest effort, and first album on Mono vs Stereo, Forget And Not Slow Down. This album is written in the aftermath of a breakup. To which, I have no knowledge of reasons or circumstances - but that doesn't matter. A heart affected is a heart affected. This album to me displays the full gamut of a heart in the weeks and months that follow brokenness.

AbsolutePunk streamed the album before the release and I kept listening to it over and over again... I couldn't get enough! Especially the last track "(If You Want It)." It's the same song as the track previous to it, "This Is The End," but the musical styles are entirely different. "This Is The End" displays a raw emotion while "(If You Want It)" seems to be full of sadness, but a beautiful sadness at that. One of my favorite lines is in that song, nourished back to life by Life alone. Beautiful.

By no means is the whole album full of downers, there are lots of fun songs too. Other standouts include: "Candlelight" and "Savannah." "Savannah" is so infectious. Another thing that made me super excited about this album are the special guest appearances that included: Matt McDonald of The Classic Crime, Aaron Gillespie of Underoath and The Almost and Tim Skipper of House of Heroes. All of these guys join in on the song "Sahara."

If you purchased the album from Amazon you got a bonus song called "Terminals" that featured Owl City. This song has Owl City written all over it. In an interview Matt Thiessan said if he ever formed a side project it would probably be with Adam from Owl City. So perhaps "Terminals" is just a foretaste of what might be in the future.

Overall, the album breaks my heart because I know where it came from. However, each song is so well crafted and Relient K continues on in their quest of providing thoughtful lyrics and throwing in some fun along the well.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Find out more about Relient K:

Facebook
Myspace
Twitter
Website

CD Review: The Letter Black "Breaking the Silence"

Tooth & Nail Records signed The Letter Black (formally known as Breaking the Silence) just a few months ago. According to the band's myspace the meaning behind the name is that, "all of us go through different chapters in our lives. In these chapters we write letters of good and bad times. Some letters in our chapters we are happy to share. Others, we are not so proud of. The Letter Black reminds us of the past mistakes we have made and helps us remember to not keep making the same mistakes." Now this five piece band is hitting the ground running with their debut album due out September 22nd and embarking on the huge Awake and Alive Tour this fall with Skillet and Hawk Nelson.

This is a hard review for me since I can be fairly particular when it comes to female fronted bands. The lead singer is Sarah Anthony and her husband, Mark, joins in with some background vocals here and there. I like Sarah's voice on certain parts of some songs, like "Hanging on By a Thread" and "Best of Me" but other times it just doesn't do anything for me. The six songs on this album are filled with very meaningful lyrics which I greatly appreciate. Like in the song "Collapse," It didn't take long to forget what I once learned, I never believed that there was someone out there who loves me, Until I found the One who loves me as I am. I can't live without You. My heart will collapse into your hands. The Letter Black is definitely rocking it out the whole way through. "Best of Me" has a bit more of a pop feel to it, but the majority of the album is straight up rock and roll.

If you're a fan of the likes of Illia or Eowyn, I suggest you check out The Letter Black. To me they have very similar musical styles.

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Find out more about The Letter Black:

Facebook
Myspace

CD Review: Hawk Nelson "Live Life Loud"

I find myself very confused and perplexed. When I think of Hawk Nelson I think of sweet pop music and the teenage girls going wild singing along. I mean how many other all boy bands can cover "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?!?" But it works for them, and I can appreciate that. With that said, Live Life Loud isn't fitting into my perception of Hawk Nelson.

Granted, there are the Hawk Nelson must haves. The pep rally anthems are present ("Live Life Loud," "The Job") and the slow singalong Lord work in my heart songs ("Shaken," "Meaning of Life"). However, that's only four songs out of the twelve on the album. I love the short "Ode to Lord Stanley" in all of it's ukulele and vocal harmony bliss, plus the fun rendition of the classic "Tis So Sweet." But some of the other songs seem a little off to me. The talking part in "Never Enough" doesn't quite work for me and Jason's voice seems significantly raspier on this track and other songs on the album compared to his previous work.

Nevertheless, Hawk Nelson is consistent with their lyrics. Providing blatant, impossible to misunderstand lyrics that point to Christ and the continual pursuit of living a life that is pleasing and honoring to Him.

Overall, an album that has it's highs and lows and seems fairly transitional to me. Can't wait to see how these Ontario boys continue to progress.

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Find out more about Hawk Nelson:

Facebook
Myspace
Twitter
Website
Youtube

Interview with Run Kid Run at Purple Door 2009

CD Review: Thousand Foot Krutch "Welcome To The Masquerade"

Thousand Foot Krutch was one of three bands chosen as the winner of Taco Bell's Feed The Beat contest earlier this year. In conjunction with winning the contest they released "Bring Me To Life," which would be the first single off of their forthcoming album, as a free download.

When I first listened to the song I melted. My heart leaped for joy at the thought of new TFK music reminiscent of my favorite album of theirs, Phenomenon. Needless to say, I've been anxiously awaiting September 8th, the day it would be possible to get my hands on their new album Welcome To The Masquerade.

So now I have it, and my thoughts? It's good. Really good. Not quite sure if I'd say it would beat Phenomenon, but time will tell as this disc gets played on repeat for the next couple weeks. Here's a breakdown of some highlights on the new album.

Many of the tracks represent classic TFK material to me. Songs like, "Welcome To The Masquerade," "Bring Me To Life," and "E for Extinction." Simply great rock songs, along the lines of previous hits like, "Falls Apart" and "Absolute."

It wouldn't be a TFK album without the sports anthems either. "Fire It Up" is already slated to be on the video game for NHL 10. "Smack Down" is another anthem that I'd say is my favorite song on the whole album. The clapping, screaming and foot stomping is infectious to say the least. It makes me wish I was still in high school so I could put it on the warm-up tape for the basketball team.

An element I so appreciate about TFK is their ability to slow the music down and sing some poignant lyrics that hit home - hard. Once such song is "Look Away," a song that Trevor says is based on emails and letters from fans over the years. The lyrics read, "I will not look away this time, take all these cuts and make them shine, I don't want to be perfect, just alright." The closing track, "Already Home," provides the same, "I'm on my knees cause you're everything I need and I've made a mess of myself on my own, and now I'm on my face and I calling out your name, and I won't run away cause I'm already home."

Overall, if you've been a Thousand Foot Krutch from the days of Set It Off, this album will not disappoint. By far, this is one of the best rock albums to hit stores this year.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Find out more about Thousand Foot Krutch:

Twitter
Myspace
Facebook
Website
Youtube

CD Review: The Glorious Unseen "The Hope That Lies In You"

I fell in love with The Glorious Unseen after they released their debut album, Tonight The Stars Speak. To me it was a fresh new way of worshipping. It was a mellow version of worship that sometimes I needed. I wasn't always in the mood for "raw raw yeah Jesus" worship. Sometimes you need something a little less amped. And TGU's album did that for me. I got to sit down and chat with the guys at last year's Purple Door Festival. It was encouraging to hear lead singer, Ben Crist's thoughts on worship, TGU and what they were going after.

Needless to say, I was more than excited to hear new music from them. The EP's they released over the past couple months were great... but a full length was much appreciated.

Their new album, The Hope That Lies In You is very much in the same vein as their last album. There wasn't any crazy change in the style or sound of the music, but Ben does not change the honest, raw lyrics that captivated me from the start. Thanks Ben.

I feel like the only way to listen to The Glorious Unseen's albums are in their entirety. I have to listen from start to finish. It's not a song by song album. To me it's a collection that by the end has stirred my spirit into worship.

The Hope That Lies In You has some standout tracks to me. The guys do a notable job on covering John Mark McMillan's "How He Loves." Their cover transfers that raw passion that John Mark sings with. It's the best I've heard at accomplishing that so far, at least in my opinion. Other songs that immediately grabbed my attention were "Awakening" - the hallelujah chorus is wonderful at the end, "Sustain," a song that asks the tough questions like, "why do You let evil have it's way, how can You let orphans die in vain, when will You give answers for the pain, is there a place where hope can still sustain?," the title track "The Hope That Lies In You," and the closing track "Sweet, Sweet Sound."

All in all a great addition to anybody's worship collection. If you aren't really into the whole worship category of music, I highly suggest that you check out The Glorious Unseen. This isn't your typical worship. If you don't believe me, check out this video below of some very well known artists sharing their thoughts about The Glorious Unseen's music.

Find out more about The Glorious Unseen:

Twitter: @gloriousunseen

Website

Myspace

Facebook Fan Page