I know that September is long gone now, but there are three albums that were released that I really want to share with all of you. Here we go:
1. SWITCHFOOT - VICE VERSES
I've been a fan of the San Diego band since their Beautiful Letdown record and this is a very different Switchfoot. The first song I heard from Vice Verses was the mellow track, "Restless". It seemed like the run of the mill single and, although I've not yet been disappointed by Switchfoot yet, I questioned just how different the album would be... and then I got to hear all of it.
Switchfoot's style seems to have changed for this album, but in all actuality I think that the band has pulled the best elements from their previous records and come up with a "new" sound. Almost every song on this album reminds you of a different album, but as a whole, Vice Verses keeps its identity. Featuring the heavy-hitting tracks like "Afterlife" and "The War Inside" to songs of a more mellow, introspective tone, like "Restless" and "Vice Verses", Switchfoot has poured every ounce of passion into creating what I will say is my favorite album of the year. You can get Vice Verses on iTunes or at Switchfoot.com and then give your opinion. I'd love to here it.
2. NEEDTOBREATHE - THE RECKONING
Throughout the years, I've become a big fan of Southern rock and roll. The infatuation with this style of music was born in me, I think, but really didn't start to mature until I started listening to Third Day. Somewhere along the line, though, I discovered NEEDTOBREATHE. And I am very glad that I did.
In September, they released their fourth studio album, The Reckoning. Much like their previous release, The Outsiders, this one bleeds Southern blood. The sound is gritty, but filled with acoustic guitars, banjos, and some very crunchy electric guitars. I'll just say that if you don't appreciate this style of music, I don't know how you can appreciate any kind of music. This is the backbone of American music. (The feeling I have right now is so hard to express!) On top of the Southern goodness that The Reckoning has to offer, some of the songs are haunting, not only in sound, but how they really stick with you when you're not listening to them. They make you think and reflect on life. That's what I love about NEEDTOBREATHE's music. It has so many layers that you find something new every time you listen to it.
You can find it (as always) on iTunes and at NEEDTOBREATHE.net.
03. 7EVENTH TIME DOWN - ALIVE IN YOU
This past summer, my church had a free concert featuring Rapture Ruckus, a hip-hop/rap group from New Zealand, and 7eventhTimeDown, a rock band from Kentucky. While Rapture Ruckus was the headlining band at this particular show, I personally thought that 7eventh Time Down was the best part of the show. (Then again, I'm not real big into rap.) It wasn't until later that I found out a potential design client of mine (Scotty Wilbanks) was the producer of their upcoming album. I knew then that I just had to buy it whenever it came out. Scotty is an amazing musician and a great producer. With his talent combined with the talent I saw on that stage, I knew the record would be fantastic. And it is.
The band is one of the newest groups to sign with BEC Recordings (Jeremy Camp, Seventh Day Slumber, Kutless, Hawk Nelson) and is quickly proving to be one of their best-selling and fastest-rising bands. With and album like Alive In You, it's easy to see why. I don't even know how to start describing this record. The title track leads the set of 12 tracks that just rock. Mikey Howard's vocals remind you of the intensity that Chris Daughtry brings to all of his records, while the music is raw, pounding, and unique in it's own way. The lyrics are very honest, God-honoring, and all-around transparent. I read a quote from Mikey that really describes the lyrics to a "T":
Thanks so much for reading these reviews and please buy the albums. I'm not making any money from it if you do, but I believe these artists have created some amazing music that needs to be enjoyed. If you've listened to any of these records, please leave a comment below and tell me what you think.
1. SWITCHFOOT - VICE VERSES
I've been a fan of the San Diego band since their Beautiful Letdown record and this is a very different Switchfoot. The first song I heard from Vice Verses was the mellow track, "Restless". It seemed like the run of the mill single and, although I've not yet been disappointed by Switchfoot yet, I questioned just how different the album would be... and then I got to hear all of it.
Switchfoot's style seems to have changed for this album, but in all actuality I think that the band has pulled the best elements from their previous records and come up with a "new" sound. Almost every song on this album reminds you of a different album, but as a whole, Vice Verses keeps its identity. Featuring the heavy-hitting tracks like "Afterlife" and "The War Inside" to songs of a more mellow, introspective tone, like "Restless" and "Vice Verses", Switchfoot has poured every ounce of passion into creating what I will say is my favorite album of the year. You can get Vice Verses on iTunes or at Switchfoot.com and then give your opinion. I'd love to here it.
2. NEEDTOBREATHE - THE RECKONING
Throughout the years, I've become a big fan of Southern rock and roll. The infatuation with this style of music was born in me, I think, but really didn't start to mature until I started listening to Third Day. Somewhere along the line, though, I discovered NEEDTOBREATHE. And I am very glad that I did.
In September, they released their fourth studio album, The Reckoning. Much like their previous release, The Outsiders, this one bleeds Southern blood. The sound is gritty, but filled with acoustic guitars, banjos, and some very crunchy electric guitars. I'll just say that if you don't appreciate this style of music, I don't know how you can appreciate any kind of music. This is the backbone of American music. (The feeling I have right now is so hard to express!) On top of the Southern goodness that The Reckoning has to offer, some of the songs are haunting, not only in sound, but how they really stick with you when you're not listening to them. They make you think and reflect on life. That's what I love about NEEDTOBREATHE's music. It has so many layers that you find something new every time you listen to it.
You can find it (as always) on iTunes and at NEEDTOBREATHE.net.
03. 7EVENTH TIME DOWN - ALIVE IN YOU
This past summer, my church had a free concert featuring Rapture Ruckus, a hip-hop/rap group from New Zealand, and 7eventhTimeDown, a rock band from Kentucky. While Rapture Ruckus was the headlining band at this particular show, I personally thought that 7eventh Time Down was the best part of the show. (Then again, I'm not real big into rap.) It wasn't until later that I found out a potential design client of mine (Scotty Wilbanks) was the producer of their upcoming album. I knew then that I just had to buy it whenever it came out. Scotty is an amazing musician and a great producer. With his talent combined with the talent I saw on that stage, I knew the record would be fantastic. And it is.
The band is one of the newest groups to sign with BEC Recordings (Jeremy Camp, Seventh Day Slumber, Kutless, Hawk Nelson) and is quickly proving to be one of their best-selling and fastest-rising bands. With and album like Alive In You, it's easy to see why. I don't even know how to start describing this record. The title track leads the set of 12 tracks that just rock. Mikey Howard's vocals remind you of the intensity that Chris Daughtry brings to all of his records, while the music is raw, pounding, and unique in it's own way. The lyrics are very honest, God-honoring, and all-around transparent. I read a quote from Mikey that really describes the lyrics to a "T":
“When it gets right down to it, I’ve just tried to be who I am. I can’t be anybody but me. Nothing hidden, we’re an “on the surface” band and that comes out in our lyrics.”It's going to be really hard to follow up an album this great, but I think if these guys from Mount Vernon, KY, keep doing what they're doing, they might be one of the biggest bands to hit the music industry, Christian or mainstream markets. Support this great rising band by picking up their new record on iTunes.
Thanks so much for reading these reviews and please buy the albums. I'm not making any money from it if you do, but I believe these artists have created some amazing music that needs to be enjoyed. If you've listened to any of these records, please leave a comment below and tell me what you think.