Artist: Jeremy Camp
Album Title: Beyond Measure
Year: 2006
Genre: Christian Contemporary, Pop, Rock
For Fans Of: Keane, Kutless, MercyMe, Scott Stapp, among others
In the past four years, Jeremy Camp has released four albums and gained popularity in the Christian Music scene. His first CD, "Stay", was critically acclaimed and had several number 1 singles. The next CD, 2004's "Carried Me: The Worship Project" also did fairly well. His last CD, "Restored", wasn't as highly thought of. Some pegged it as generic rock, while others just thought it wasn't up to par with Camp's debut CD. Despite the criticism, "Restored" and it's lead single, "Take You Back", did pretty well.
Which brings us to "Beyond Measure", Camp's fourth album released on October 31, 2006. On this CD, Camp takes a different approach lyrically and musically. This leads to different but better results than those found on "Restored".
The very Camp-like "Tonight" opens the CD. With a modern rock sound and broken pride theme, it showcases why exactly so many people like Jeremy. He's honest, talented and has the ability to write good rock songs. "Tonight", a very strong track, is the perfect example of that.
"What It Means", a piano-based worship song, is next on the CD. Musically, this isn't one of the stronger tracks on the CD, but is still a decent song. It is carried by Camp's lyrics, which have grown increasingly more personal on "Beyond Measure".
The title track, "Beyond Measure", follows. Yet another piano-based song, it is Camp's most personal to date. He talks of what the last 5 years of his life have been like. Verse 1 seems to tell the story of how his life is now("The fog has finally cleared to see/the beautiful life you've give me/to feel the breeze of my newborn's gentle breath/with one to walk hand in hand/to share this life that you have planned"), as he is happily married to fellow Christian artist Adie, formerly of the Benjamin Gate. Verse 2 talks about the loss of his first wife("I've faced a great tragedy/But have seen the works of what you bring") and overcoming that. Finally, the chorus states that Camp's been "given more than beyond measure". Definitely one of the strongest tracks on the CD.
Track 4 on the CD, the pop/rock song "Let It Fade" talks of letting go of our old ways and finding new hope in Christ. Another solid track by Camp that will appeal to his fan base. "Feels Like", the next track, is similar to "Let It Fade" in that it is another pop/rock song with good lyrics, although it is admittedly not as strong of a track.
Camp gets back to the piano-based stuff on "When You Are Near". Much like "What It Means", it isn't a particularly great track but is at least decent with good lyrics.
"No Matter What It Takes" brings the CD back to the rock sound that many, including myself, appreciate about Camp. Camp speaks of giving everything to God to live out His plan for his life. Like the other straight-up rock song on this CD, "Tonight", this is a very strong track.
Jeremy's wife, Adie, does backing vocals on the pop-rock song "A Little Time". While not as good as the previous track, it is still good with a great message about doing whatever we can to help those in need.
"Everything" is yet another pop/rock song that bears resemblance to some of Camp's earlier work, particularly found on his debut CD. With a lyrical theme of trying to fill a void(with material things) that only God can fill, it is an above average track.
"I Am Nothing", a softer track, is a reminder of the fact that we are nothing without God's Grace, while "Give You Glory" is a straight-up pop/rock worship song. "Give Me Jesus", this is simple yet beautiful, ends the album on a good note.
Overall Impression:
This is easily better than Camp's last CD, "Restored". However, I do not feel it is on the level of his superb debut CD "Stay". With solid vocals, lyrics and music, this is a must have for any Camp fan. Fans of Christian contemporary, pop, and rock, as well as those who like the bands mentioned in the "For Fans Of" section, would also be wise to consider this album.
Rating: 8/10
Showing posts with label Modern Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Modern Rock. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Monday, December 4, 2006
Skillet - Comatose Review
Artist: Skillet
Album Title: Comatose
Year: 2006
Genre: Modern Rock, Hard Rock
For Fans of: Creed, Evanescence, Seether, Staind, other modern rock bands
It has been almost three years since Skillet released their album "Collide". Many people enjoyed that album while some, like me, were disappointed. It was for that reason that I was skeptical when I heard about Skillet's newest CD "Comatose". I thought it'd be just like "Collide"--good lyrics, good music, but vocals that were, at times, subpar.
Don't get me wrong, John Cooper IS a good vocalist. What he is not so good at, however, is screaming. He did a lot of that on "Collide", which turned me off to the CD. Still, it had some good tracks and that was why I readily gave "Comatose" a chance to win me over.
"Comatose", as it turns out, is a different CD from "Collide". There are more ballads, less screaming, even better music, vocals and lyrics.
The CD starts off with the hard-hitting and very "Bring Me To Life"-like song "Rebirthing". Cooper and his wife, Korey, exchange vocals in a way that is akin to Evanescence's smash hit with 12 Stones frontman Paul McCoy. This is one of the stronger tracks on the CD, featuring strong vocals, lyrics and a nice solo to boot, and a definite CM radio hit. Following "Rebirthing" is "The Last Night", more of a ballad than the previous track, but not a soft song. The song takes on the theme of suicide, with Cooper again exchanging vocals with his wife. In the song, Cooper apparently is playing the role of God, trying to let the person who is on the verge of suicide(played by Korey Cooper) know that He is there for them and that He'll "wrap you in my arms and won't let go". Of course, this song is open to interpretation and could also be interpreted as a friend trying to convince another friend not to commit suicide. Nonetheless, it is a very anti-suicide song and surely will touch many.
"Yours To Hold", a soft, acoustic-based ballad is another song with the theme of God (or possibly someone else) being there for a hurting soul.
"Better Than Drugs" brings a return to the hard rock found on "Collide". This is yet another song very open to interpretation. Is this a song about God being "better than drugs/your love is like wine"? Or is it about another person having that effect? Cooper leaves that to the listener to decide.
The title track, "Comatose", is much like the last track. It's hard rocking and lyrically open. Christians can easily take it as being a song about needing God to "take the pain I feel"; while non-Christians can apply it to a relationship they might have with a parent, girlfriend, wife etc. The song really does apply to both.
Track 6, the ballad "The Older I Get", seems to be about a relationship that has been hurt by fights. Given Cooper's own strained relationship with his father, this song could very well be about that. Cooper sings about wanting to forgive and not miss anymore time together. The bridge finds Cooper realizing that part of this was his fault and that he could have done more to make things right. This is another one of the strong tracks on the CD and something we all can relate to.
The standout track on the CD is the eighth track, "Those Nights". This could be the song that allows Skillet to breakthrough into the mainstream and touch many more hurting people if released as a single. It is an infectious, superb, extremely likable pop-rock song that can at once appeal to CM radio, pop radio and even mainstream rock radio. Lyrically, it appears to be about a strong relationship between two people that allows them to overcome the struggles in their lives.
"Falling Inside The Black", another hard rocking song similar to tracks 1, 4, and 5, follows. “Say Goodbye” is another ballad on CD, albeit one of the weaker ones. “Whispers”, a straight-up rock song and one of the strongest tracks on the CD precedes the album closer, “Looking For Angels”. The aforementioned “Angels” is the most unique song on the album in that Cooper recites the words like a poet. It is also a pretty good song.
Overall Impressions:
This is Skillet’s best album. Every track is at least decent, with some(“Rebirthing”, “Better Than Drugs”, “Those Nights”, “The Older I Get”, “Whispers”) that are superb. My only complaint is that Korey doesn’t sing in more of the songs. Even those who disliked Skillet’s earlier efforts should give this CD a chance. It really is that good.
Rating: 9.5/10
Album Title: Comatose
Year: 2006
Genre: Modern Rock, Hard Rock
For Fans of: Creed, Evanescence, Seether, Staind, other modern rock bands
It has been almost three years since Skillet released their album "Collide". Many people enjoyed that album while some, like me, were disappointed. It was for that reason that I was skeptical when I heard about Skillet's newest CD "Comatose". I thought it'd be just like "Collide"--good lyrics, good music, but vocals that were, at times, subpar.
Don't get me wrong, John Cooper IS a good vocalist. What he is not so good at, however, is screaming. He did a lot of that on "Collide", which turned me off to the CD. Still, it had some good tracks and that was why I readily gave "Comatose" a chance to win me over.
"Comatose", as it turns out, is a different CD from "Collide". There are more ballads, less screaming, even better music, vocals and lyrics.
The CD starts off with the hard-hitting and very "Bring Me To Life"-like song "Rebirthing". Cooper and his wife, Korey, exchange vocals in a way that is akin to Evanescence's smash hit with 12 Stones frontman Paul McCoy. This is one of the stronger tracks on the CD, featuring strong vocals, lyrics and a nice solo to boot, and a definite CM radio hit. Following "Rebirthing" is "The Last Night", more of a ballad than the previous track, but not a soft song. The song takes on the theme of suicide, with Cooper again exchanging vocals with his wife. In the song, Cooper apparently is playing the role of God, trying to let the person who is on the verge of suicide(played by Korey Cooper) know that He is there for them and that He'll "wrap you in my arms and won't let go". Of course, this song is open to interpretation and could also be interpreted as a friend trying to convince another friend not to commit suicide. Nonetheless, it is a very anti-suicide song and surely will touch many.
"Yours To Hold", a soft, acoustic-based ballad is another song with the theme of God (or possibly someone else) being there for a hurting soul.
"Better Than Drugs" brings a return to the hard rock found on "Collide". This is yet another song very open to interpretation. Is this a song about God being "better than drugs/your love is like wine"? Or is it about another person having that effect? Cooper leaves that to the listener to decide.
The title track, "Comatose", is much like the last track. It's hard rocking and lyrically open. Christians can easily take it as being a song about needing God to "take the pain I feel"; while non-Christians can apply it to a relationship they might have with a parent, girlfriend, wife etc. The song really does apply to both.
Track 6, the ballad "The Older I Get", seems to be about a relationship that has been hurt by fights. Given Cooper's own strained relationship with his father, this song could very well be about that. Cooper sings about wanting to forgive and not miss anymore time together. The bridge finds Cooper realizing that part of this was his fault and that he could have done more to make things right. This is another one of the strong tracks on the CD and something we all can relate to.
The standout track on the CD is the eighth track, "Those Nights". This could be the song that allows Skillet to breakthrough into the mainstream and touch many more hurting people if released as a single. It is an infectious, superb, extremely likable pop-rock song that can at once appeal to CM radio, pop radio and even mainstream rock radio. Lyrically, it appears to be about a strong relationship between two people that allows them to overcome the struggles in their lives.
"Falling Inside The Black", another hard rocking song similar to tracks 1, 4, and 5, follows. “Say Goodbye” is another ballad on CD, albeit one of the weaker ones. “Whispers”, a straight-up rock song and one of the strongest tracks on the CD precedes the album closer, “Looking For Angels”. The aforementioned “Angels” is the most unique song on the album in that Cooper recites the words like a poet. It is also a pretty good song.
Overall Impressions:
This is Skillet’s best album. Every track is at least decent, with some(“Rebirthing”, “Better Than Drugs”, “Those Nights”, “The Older I Get”, “Whispers”) that are superb. My only complaint is that Korey doesn’t sing in more of the songs. Even those who disliked Skillet’s earlier efforts should give this CD a chance. It really is that good.
Rating: 9.5/10
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