From the word processor of James Morovich, your 'Music Genius Mole' and self proclaimed "Christian Rock History Expert"
Sanctus Real- “Run.”
These guys have had a bit of an interesting run (haha) as one of the first
Christian rock bands to emerge out of the pop music deluge that destroyed all
mainstream, and Christian radio from 2000-2003, i.e. the boy band era. Since ‘Say It Loud” provided a rock and roll
catalyst in 2002, these guys have been crafting and exploring different rock
styles. They drifted off into more middle of the road by 2006, and then tried to
reboot the rock sound on their 2010 release “Pieces Of A Real Heart.” Now after
a brief hiatus, they have returned with “Run” a very U2-esque sounding album
from the opening title track to the acoustic based rocker “Nothing Between.”
“Commitment” is the highlight of the whole project though, as it stresses the
importance of ‘finishing the life we started’ and growing old together in marriage.
While the album is not overall impressive or interesting musically, there are
some fun solid moments lyrically.
New York Hymns-
“Songs For Lent.” This is something completely different, and very timely
for the Lenten season that we are observing right now as I type this. New York
Hymns perform both old and new hymns that all reflect upon the “Stations of The
Cross” and “Holy Week” things that we protestants often tend to overlook. If
you are looking for a way to help keep you focused on this time of preparation
for Easter and what Christ did for us on the cross, go to Noisetrade and
download for FREE, this incredible collection of sparsely orchestrated, but
stunningly beautiful expressions of Christ’s death and resurrection!
Maplewood Lane-
“Sweetheart Of The Radio” If you are a fan of the sounds and vocal styling’s
of Sixpence None The Richer, First Aid Kit, The Cranberries, and Waterdeep, you
will love Maplewood Lane! Songs like “You Can Sing Along” and “The New Year”
invoke mid-90’s radio friendly rock that if these folks had emerged in 1996,
could have made them stars. However, it is not 1996, but 2013, and Maplewood
Lane aren’t on any major label for backing, so they can choose to give their
album away if they want, and they are on Noisetrade right now, for anyone who
wants to download it! I recommend you be one of those people! Also be sure not
to miss the killer closing track “Count To Two” which is another standout!
Hillsong United-
‘Zion.” Okay, let me just say this right now, I am a big Hillsong fan, be
it the Chapel, Live band, or United. They have always consistently crafted well-written
worship songs and combined those awesome lyrics with driving rock and roll
guitars! Even the ballads while featuring other instruments have always been
guitar based. So imagine my surprise when I cued up “Zion” on Spotify and am
met on the opening track of “Relentless” not by guitar crunch, but synthesizer
croons!! What? I said, I don’t know about this. As my listening experience
progressed through the tracks I began to realize the guitars weren’t going to
ever fully arrive! While this album possesses what may be their finest lyrical
moment to date on “Oceans (Where Feet May Fall),” I was overall disappointed in
this new stylistic direction. Friends have already expressed their disagreement
with me on this, and I understand their arguments of trying to reach a broader
audience and all, but I am not a different audience, I am a tenured member of
Hillsong’s audience, ergo I just felt plain disappointed. That’s about all I
can say!
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