RSS

Category Archives: Music Review

Third Day – Revelation

I would consider myself to be a Gomer of sorts. A Gomer is identified as a fan of Third Day. It was taken from the name of the unfaithful wife of the biblical prophet Hosea. Are you a Gomer too?

Formed in 1991, Third Day has become one of the most popular Christian rock bands in history. They recorded their first full-length album with Furies Studios in their home of Atlanta, Georgia for $3000. They had saved this money to do so, and in 1994 they saw it finalized and 2000 copies were released. Eventually their popularity reached Reunion Records and Third Day signed with them for a multi-album deal. After their signing, Reunion Records immediately released the official self-titled “Third Day” album which has now sold over 300,000 copies. The video for their first single “Consuming Fire” won a Billboard Award for Best Christian video. Third Day was also nominated for a Dove Award for New Artist of the year. One of my favorite Third Day song called “Thief” is on their first album. It is an incredible song which is sung from the point of view of the thief on the cross during the crucifixion of Jesus. Being formed out of the Atlanta area they name other Georgia bands such as The Black Crowes, and REM as influences. You can hear other Southern band influences like Allman Brothers Band, and Tom Petty. Third Day has since gone on to release eight studio records including two worship albums and a Christmas album. They have developed a popular following and much critical acclaim. Third Day has won three Grammy Awards and a Dove Award every year since 1998. Their current lineup is Mac Powell on vocals and guitar, Mark Lee on guitars and backing vocals, Tai Anderson on bass and vocals, and David Carr on drums.

Read the rest of this entry »

8 Comments

Posted by barrydean on August 4, 2008 in Music Review, Revelation, Third Day

Kutless – To Know That You’re Alive

29 Jul

I have been a fan of Kutless since they first appeared with their first video “Your Touch” on TVU in 2002. (Check out the previous video link to “Your Touch.” It is the video where the two guitarists simultaneously sling their guitars around their back) Not only is their style of music right up there in the upper echelons of my favorite sounds, their lyrics are also uncompromising. When many Christian rock bands abandoned using references to Jesus by name Kutless has not. Like so many Christian bands, Kutless formed out of their local church worship band. The original band members, James Mead (guitar), Nathan Stuart or Stu (bass), Kyle Mitchell (drums), Ryan Shrout (guitar), Jon-Micah Sumrall (vocals), all attended the same church, Athey Creek, in Portland, Oregon. They have mentioned influences from Christian bands like O.C. Supertones, as well as secular bands like Creed, Staind, and Incubus. Stuart, and Mitchell have since left the band to pursue other endeavors. Last year Ryan Shrout decided to leave the band to be with his family more. His daughter was diagnosed with a rare eye disease. Ryan’s spot has since been filled nicely by Nick DePartee their former guitar tech. I have often wondered about the origin of the band’s name and found out that Kutless chose their name because of a specific Bible verse. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NRSV). Because of this, the band says, “He took our cuts for us… leaving us ‘Kutless’. I will mention just a couple of the accolades given this band. The second single “Run” from their debut album became the longest charting song in the history of the R&R top 40 charts. The song “Run” was also the most played song in the first 5 years of ChristianRock.net.

Read the rest of this entry »

5 Comments

Posted by barrydean on July 29, 2008 in Kutless, Music Review, To Know That You're Alive

Relient K – The Bird and the Bee Sides +

15 Jul

When you release an EP product as a musician it is assumed you understand that EP represents Extended Play. Most folks know this means the release is either too long to be a single and not long enough to be a full-length album. But who are Relient K to adhere to those stinking standards. These guys from Canton, Ohio have been reinventing the standard in modern, alternative punk, song writing, and song titles for 10 years now. So if Relient K releases a 26-track EP, who are we to smirk and say that they just don’t get it. I have been listening to Relient K since I heard their album “The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek” which featured such popular songs as “Pressing On”, and “Sadie Hawkins Dance”. My biggest attraction to the band has always been their no-nonsense, don’t-take-us-too-seriously, lyrics. I also like the music singer and song-writer Matt Thiessen composes. Just when you get hooked by the quirky rhythm he always throws the song for another curve.

Read the rest of this entry »

5 Comments

Posted by barrydean on July 15, 2008 in Music Review, Relient K, The Bird and the Bee Sides, The Nashville Tennis EP

Music review Tuesday – Shinedown

01 Jul

This is the third time I have reviewed an album by this American hard rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. The band is Shinedown. The band Shinedown has to be one of my favorite new bands of this decade right behind Alter Bridge. The two bands have toured together. What a dream concert that would be to see. The lead vocalist, Brent Smith, whose vocal range would make any rock singer want to give up and try another line of work, names his main influence with Otis Reading. The band has been noted for having had one of their songs performed on American Idol. It was performed by the only one who could do the song “I Dare You” any justice. It was none other than Chris Daughtry before he went on to fame and fortune. Since my last review two band members, bassist Brad Stewart, and guitarist Jasin Todd have left Shinedown. Drummer Barry Kerch is the only remaining original member besides Smith. The new line up includes new guitarists Nick Perri, and Zach Myers, along with new bassist Eric Bass.

Read the rest of this entry »

2 Comments

Posted by barrydean on July 1, 2008 in Music Review, Shinedown, The Sound of Madness

Music review Tuesday – 3 Doors Down

23 Jun

Those guys from Escatawpa, Mississippi are back at it again. If you aren’t a big fan of their music you might not know who I am writing about. The band is 3 Doors Down. The band that rocked a song about the only substance that can kill Superman with “Kryptonite”. The band who decided that the drummer Brad Arnold should be the lead singer in the band because no one else would. He has since come out from behind the drum kit and is the band’s front man. The band whose debut album in 2000 became the 11th best selling album in that year. The same band who in October of 2002 performed live on the flight deck of the USS George Washington as it made a port visit to Lisbon, Portugal. After that day lead singer Brad Arnold stated that he had never felt more insecure. He was just sure that at 22 years old he would be seen as a kid by those on the ship. Much to his surprise he found out that the average age of the sailors on the ship was 19. This same rock band who have broken the typical liberal rock band mold have always been supportive of the troops as they fight to defend our nation. But a little more about that later in the review.

Read the rest of this entry »

3 Comments

Posted by barrydean on June 23, 2008 in 3 Doors Down, Music Review

Music Review Tuesday – Def Leppard

20 May

Last week I surprised myself and reviewed an album from a band I thought had long been relegated to touring outside the United States or doing the casino or state fair circuit within. The band was Whitesnake and to my surprise I found a quality product. This is the case with today’s band as well. When I heard that this band was coming to Omaha, and performing at the Quest Center no less, I couldn’t believe it. Another metal glam band who dominated the eighties and early ninties, selling over 65 million albums worldwide. The band who has had more than it’s share of tragedy and yet has incredible staying power. When some bands would have given up and just moved on, these guys re-grouped and made adjustments. I writing about the band noted for making tattered, hole riddled, jeans popular for many years to come. The band named for an audio challenged big cat, Def Leppard. The Leppards have been making some good music of late. I loved the album Yeah released in 2006. The album contained all UK glammer band covers. Songs that pay homeage to bands from their childhood. My favorite song on the album was the T.Rex cover “Rock On”. They also did a great job covering Rod Stewart and the Small Faces “Stay With Me”.

Read the rest of this entry »

3 Comments

Posted by barrydean on May 20, 2008 in Def Leppard, Music Review, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge

Music Review Tuesday – Whitesnake

13 May

Today I am reviewing a band who, like Bon Jovi, epitomized the big hair bands of the eighties and early ninties. Picture 5000 14 to 17 year old boys pumping their fists in the air to the tunes coming from 50,000 watt amps. This band has probably had the most member turnover comparable to the fictional Spinal Tap and yet has had only one lead singer. In fact the singer, David Coverdale, founded the band. The band (I can’t believe I am reviewing) is Whitesnake. I know, the same glam metal ballad laced band prominant on the MTV airwaves in the late eighties. The band that spawned the love affair and eventual marriage of video babe Tawny Kitaen (who appeared in most of the Whitesnake videos) and Coverdale. Whitesnake has had many talented musicians involved in many of the various projects over the years. Here are some of the many names: Jon Lord, John Sykes, Steve Vai, Vivian Campbell, Cozy Powell, Adrian Vandenberg, Tommy Aldrige, Rudy Sarzo, and Anysley Dunbar. These names alone represent the many bands spun from Whitesnake.

Read the rest of this entry »

11 Comments

Posted by barrydean on May 13, 2008 in Good To Be Bad, Music Review, Whitesnake

Music Review Tuesday – The Showdown

06 May

With the resurgence of metal guitar and the guitar solo in rock music today comes a band with Christian influenced lyrics and a hint of southern rock. That band is called The Showdown. They are another band I have been introduced to through TVU the Christian rock music video channel on the SkyAngel network. I saw their video and had to find out more. One of their famous tag lines is “jammin’ for the Lamb”. The Showdown is based out of Elizabethton, Tennessee. Being a big Tennessee fan, need I go on? Ah yes, but I will. The following is a quote from a member of the band that kind of sums up what they are about.

We are about power, fire, pyro, oil, rocks, and heavy. Whether than means rolling around town on our dirt bikes, hauling our twenty-five foot trailer to a show, or starting a barbeque in a random parking lot. We want to have fun and take it to the extreme on and off the road. And our live show is 110%, 110% of the time. But we aren’t about the party as a means to escape. We have joy because we have truth, and because we have been blessed. It isn’t drugs and girls and alcohol, but a genuine love of life because of our blessings that gives us our attitude.

From front-man David Bunton comes another tidbit:

Read the rest of this entry »

4 Comments

Posted by barrydean on May 6, 2008 in Music Review, Temptation Come My Way, The Showdown

Music Review Tuesday – Duffy

28 Apr

Who is the first female Welsh artist to have a number one pop single in the past 25 years? If you said Duffy, you would be correct. You would also have to be a fan of her and her music. This Welsh singer-songwriter, who’s real name is Aimee Ann Duffy (Duffy is her professional name) is not very well known in the U. S. unless you listen to modern alternative radio. I had never heard of her until my lovely wife Robin asked if I had. She was pretty pleased to turn me on to her music. My wife is a big fan of the music from the 60’s era and Duffy, although a contemporary artist, sings the kind of music reminiscent of that time period. Duffy was born June 23rd, 1984 in Gwynedd, an area in north-west Wales. In 2003 she was the runner-up to the Welsh alternative to American Idol. She sang in various bands until hooking up with Suede’s ex-guitar player Bernard Butler. Duffy and Butler began co-writing songs and created a fresh retro sound. I will tell you now that this music is not my typical “knock the snot outta ya” hard ‘n heavy musical style you have come to read about here. But there is just something about this fresh sound that hooks me in. This fresh sound is what you will hear on her full length debut album. The album review to follow.

Read the rest of this entry »

7 Comments

Posted by barrydean on April 28, 2008 in Aimee Duffy, Duffy, Music Review, Rockferry

Music Review Tuesday – Delirious?

22 Apr

When I think of Delirious?, I think of modern Christian worhip music. They have released many worship albums, and have several well known worship songs including: “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever”, “Deeper”, and “Lord, You Have My Heart”. Delirious? began as a worship band for a youth outreach event called “Cutting Edge”. This event was created by Arun Community Church in Littlehampton, West Sussex, England. They have been a favorite in our household since purchasing and listening to their “Glo” album in 2000. I have loved their mix or worship centered lyrics and modern rock music. The band Delirious? features Martin Smith on vocals and guitar, Stuart Garrard (also known as Stu G) on guitar and backing vocals, Jon Thatcher on bass guitar, Tim Jupp on keys and piano, and Paul Evans on drums and percussion.

Their new album is called “Kingdom of Comfort“. It was released in the U. S. on April 1st, 2008, April Fool’s Day. I wonder if there was an intention to it’s release on that particular day? They did have an album titled “King of Fools” released in 1997. “Kingdom of Comfort” was inspired by the band’s recent missions trip to Cambodia and Mumbai, India. The band’s guitarist Stu G is quoted as saying:

Seeing children looking for scraps on the rubbish dump they call homes in Cambodia and the education and feeding projects in the slums of Mumbai India really had an impact on us. It wasn’t possible to simply proceed with business as usual. We had to ask ourselves, what am I building? A kingdom of comfort? Or a kingdom of heaven?

Read the rest of this entry »

6 Comments

Posted by barrydean on April 22, 2008 in Delirious?, Kingdom of Comfort, Music Review, Theology