Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
We Need Each Other Album Review
Almost two years later, Sanctus Real brings us their 4th release, an album entitled We Need Each Other. The album is no doubt filled with a fantastic collection of songs that is arguably richer and more powerful than their last hit The Face of Love. Releasing February 12th, with a definite maturation in song-writing and recording, it is definitely one you will not want to miss!
The epic “Turn on the Lights” provides an appropriately strong opening to the album. With exceptional guitar hooks and strong vocals with lyrics that encourage listeners to “Turn on the lights” and “Illuminate the future,” the song stands as a shout out for people to bring hope to the dark by sharing the love of Christ.
The title track plays next, with an upbeat, catchy, melody and lyrics like “Oh, Oh, We need each other / So what’s the fighting for / Oh, oh, we need each other.” This is one of those songs that is so catchy you’ll be singing it in your head for days after; and with a positive message and reminder to love others, that’s okay!
“Black Coal,” like the later song “Leap of Faith,” shies away from the pop-inspired tone of many of the other songs. It carries a bit more of a raw-edgy-rock-feeling, with definite passion and yet again catchy lyrics. At the same time, “Whatever You’re Doing” and “Half Our Lives” show off the softer side of the band. Though these two are mixed in between the other more rock-based songs, the album still flows superbly, avoiding a sense of discontinuity or distraction....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
The epic “Turn on the Lights” provides an appropriately strong opening to the album. With exceptional guitar hooks and strong vocals with lyrics that encourage listeners to “Turn on the lights” and “Illuminate the future,” the song stands as a shout out for people to bring hope to the dark by sharing the love of Christ.
The title track plays next, with an upbeat, catchy, melody and lyrics like “Oh, Oh, We need each other / So what’s the fighting for / Oh, oh, we need each other.” This is one of those songs that is so catchy you’ll be singing it in your head for days after; and with a positive message and reminder to love others, that’s okay!
“Black Coal,” like the later song “Leap of Faith,” shies away from the pop-inspired tone of many of the other songs. It carries a bit more of a raw-edgy-rock-feeling, with definite passion and yet again catchy lyrics. At the same time, “Whatever You’re Doing” and “Half Our Lives” show off the softer side of the band. Though these two are mixed in between the other more rock-based songs, the album still flows superbly, avoiding a sense of discontinuity or distraction....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Sanctus Real - The Face of Love (Sparrow/EMI)
Sounds like … the melodic modern rock of Switchfoot, U2, Mae, downhere, Coldplay, Kevin Max, and Luna Halo.
At a glance … The Face of Love represents a new level of maturity to Sanctus Real's songwriting and rock style, though the songs don't quite live up to the hooks and energy of the band's previous efforts.
With a heart balloon on the cover and a title like The Face of Love, some fans might fear Sanctus Real has gone soft. Though some of the band members have begun to experience marriage and parenthood in recent years, they remain entrenched in rock without resorting to the overly sentimental. However, it's been a trying year for Sanctus Real, and not just with the departure of their original bass player Steve Goodrum (replaced by Dan Gartley). On the day he became a new dad, drummer Mark Graalman learned his own father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer; he died just two months later. Around the same time, singer Matt Hammitt's grandmother also took a turn for the worse and ended up in hospice care before passing.
All this right when it was time to ride the wave of success from 2004's Fight the Tide, which (deservedly) won the 2005 GMA Award for Modern Rock Album of the Year. The grief and uncertainty had squelched the band's creativity and passion. But producer Chris Stevens (Shawn McDonald, tobyMac) recognized this as an opportunity, challenging Sanctus Real to instead let their emotions fuel their music. Those efforts yielded what's being described as the band's most personal effort to date.
Surprisingly, this is not the album you'd expect in response to two funerals, preoccupied with the shortness of our days and the hope of life eternal. Only the powerful closer "Benjamin," written for Graalman's newborn son, touches on the recent losses: "Children born while fathers die/It's that circle of life that we all live in time … He gives and He takes, and it makes us stronger." It is indeed an album of brokenness, searching for answers and comfort from God, but more from the angle of grace and love. Taking cue from the mood swings of the Psalms, The Face of Love is essentially Sanctus Real's blues album.
Which is not to suggest that the album is a dramatic musical departure. While early buzz suggested a radical stylistic reinvention, this is very much the same melodic rock band—Hammitt's remarkable lead vocal (like a younger, raspier Bono), Gaalman's sharp drumming, and Chris Rohman's robust guitar work are all here. "Don't Give Up" in particular sounds like another rocker off Fight the Tide, and some will call the title track derivative of U2's "Beautiful Day" (popularized on Christian radio by Sanctus Real) or Coldplay's "Speed of Sound." But props to the band for occasionally detouring from their familiar in-your-face approach, sometimes scaling down or else backing many of these new songs with ambient effects that provide a floating alt-pop quality to "Benjamin" and much of "Magnetic." The album also kicks off rather unconventionally with the slower powerhouse single "I'm Not Alright," comfortably resting somewhere between Switchfoot's "Meant to Live" and Coldplay's "Fix You."....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … The Face of Love represents a new level of maturity to Sanctus Real's songwriting and rock style, though the songs don't quite live up to the hooks and energy of the band's previous efforts.
With a heart balloon on the cover and a title like The Face of Love, some fans might fear Sanctus Real has gone soft. Though some of the band members have begun to experience marriage and parenthood in recent years, they remain entrenched in rock without resorting to the overly sentimental. However, it's been a trying year for Sanctus Real, and not just with the departure of their original bass player Steve Goodrum (replaced by Dan Gartley). On the day he became a new dad, drummer Mark Graalman learned his own father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer; he died just two months later. Around the same time, singer Matt Hammitt's grandmother also took a turn for the worse and ended up in hospice care before passing.
All this right when it was time to ride the wave of success from 2004's Fight the Tide, which (deservedly) won the 2005 GMA Award for Modern Rock Album of the Year. The grief and uncertainty had squelched the band's creativity and passion. But producer Chris Stevens (Shawn McDonald, tobyMac) recognized this as an opportunity, challenging Sanctus Real to instead let their emotions fuel their music. Those efforts yielded what's being described as the band's most personal effort to date.
Surprisingly, this is not the album you'd expect in response to two funerals, preoccupied with the shortness of our days and the hope of life eternal. Only the powerful closer "Benjamin," written for Graalman's newborn son, touches on the recent losses: "Children born while fathers die/It's that circle of life that we all live in time … He gives and He takes, and it makes us stronger." It is indeed an album of brokenness, searching for answers and comfort from God, but more from the angle of grace and love. Taking cue from the mood swings of the Psalms, The Face of Love is essentially Sanctus Real's blues album.
Which is not to suggest that the album is a dramatic musical departure. While early buzz suggested a radical stylistic reinvention, this is very much the same melodic rock band—Hammitt's remarkable lead vocal (like a younger, raspier Bono), Gaalman's sharp drumming, and Chris Rohman's robust guitar work are all here. "Don't Give Up" in particular sounds like another rocker off Fight the Tide, and some will call the title track derivative of U2's "Beautiful Day" (popularized on Christian radio by Sanctus Real) or Coldplay's "Speed of Sound." But props to the band for occasionally detouring from their familiar in-your-face approach, sometimes scaling down or else backing many of these new songs with ambient effects that provide a floating alt-pop quality to "Benjamin" and much of "Magnetic." The album also kicks off rather unconventionally with the slower powerhouse single "I'm Not Alright," comfortably resting somewhere between Switchfoot's "Meant to Live" and Coldplay's "Fix You."....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Sanctus Real - Fight the Tide (Sparrow/EMI)
Sounds like … melodic power rock that shares the traits of Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Switchfoot, U2, and PFR.
At a glance … Fight the Tide is not so much a profound artistic statement as it is an enjoyable rock album that is meaningful, catchy, and loud, performed with musical excellence.
Toledo, Ohio's Sanctus Real emerged on the national Christian music scene in early 2003 with Say It Loud, quickly earning widespread acclaim while building considerably on their already strong fan base. Touring relentlessly as far back as their independent days, 2004 promises to be equally busy between the summer music festivals and a high-profile tour with Jeremy Camp.
You'd think such a busy slate would slow down the recording process for Sanctus Real, but that's not the case. The band spent the first couple of months of 2004 quickly writing and recording new material, so one might think Fight the Tide would sound hackneyed or rushed—but it manages to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Like the themes at the heart of its songs, the album battles against any complacency or negativity with feel-good charm, offering infectious power pop of the same breed as Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, and Weezer, with splashes of the anthemic (U2, Live) and the Beatle-esque (PFR).
Not to say that Fight the Tide is a brilliant artistic statement. In many ways, Sanctus Real comes across as a less intellectual version of Switchfoot—musically and lyrically. This is a band that likes to convey their faith simply and clearly without using tired spiritual rhetoric. "Things Like You" is inspired by Matthew 6, addressing the material things that distract us from God: "Everyone wants everyone else's everything/Sometimes the more we have the less we really gain/And I'm tired of loving all that money has to buy/Get you out of my heart out of my mind, leaving you behind." James 2 is the source for "Deeds," exploring the relationship between faith and works. "Closer" is a prayer to remain in a daily love relationship with God, and "Message" is a remake of one of their older songs about not being ashamed of the Christian faith.
Interpersonal relationships also play a prominent theme on the album. "Alone" is a simple love song, expressing longing during time away from a significant other, though much of it can also work as a spiritual love song. "The Fight Song" uses heavy power pop to remind us to choose our words carefully and reconcile broken relationships. "Change Me" prayerfully asks the Lord for more humility, patience, and gentleness in fostering these relationships....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a glance … Fight the Tide is not so much a profound artistic statement as it is an enjoyable rock album that is meaningful, catchy, and loud, performed with musical excellence.
Toledo, Ohio's Sanctus Real emerged on the national Christian music scene in early 2003 with Say It Loud, quickly earning widespread acclaim while building considerably on their already strong fan base. Touring relentlessly as far back as their independent days, 2004 promises to be equally busy between the summer music festivals and a high-profile tour with Jeremy Camp.
You'd think such a busy slate would slow down the recording process for Sanctus Real, but that's not the case. The band spent the first couple of months of 2004 quickly writing and recording new material, so one might think Fight the Tide would sound hackneyed or rushed—but it manages to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Like the themes at the heart of its songs, the album battles against any complacency or negativity with feel-good charm, offering infectious power pop of the same breed as Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, and Weezer, with splashes of the anthemic (U2, Live) and the Beatle-esque (PFR).
Not to say that Fight the Tide is a brilliant artistic statement. In many ways, Sanctus Real comes across as a less intellectual version of Switchfoot—musically and lyrically. This is a band that likes to convey their faith simply and clearly without using tired spiritual rhetoric. "Things Like You" is inspired by Matthew 6, addressing the material things that distract us from God: "Everyone wants everyone else's everything/Sometimes the more we have the less we really gain/And I'm tired of loving all that money has to buy/Get you out of my heart out of my mind, leaving you behind." James 2 is the source for "Deeds," exploring the relationship between faith and works. "Closer" is a prayer to remain in a daily love relationship with God, and "Message" is a remake of one of their older songs about not being ashamed of the Christian faith.
Interpersonal relationships also play a prominent theme on the album. "Alone" is a simple love song, expressing longing during time away from a significant other, though much of it can also work as a spiritual love song. "The Fight Song" uses heavy power pop to remind us to choose our words carefully and reconcile broken relationships. "Change Me" prayerfully asks the Lord for more humility, patience, and gentleness in fostering these relationships....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Sanctus Real - Say It Loud (Sparrow)
Sounds like … the powerhouse, melodic modern rock of Tree63, Jimmy Eat World, The Juliana Theory, Luna Halo, and Tait.
At a Glance … an impressively strong modern rock album from a relatively new band that bodes well for the future of Sanctus Real and Sparrow Records.
The formation of Sanctus Real is about as textbook a way to start a rock band as they come. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Hammitt met lead guitarist Chris Rohman while attending Toledo Christian School in Ohio. The two became fast friends and offered their services to lead youth worship at school and at church. They would go on to form Sanctus Real in 1996 with the addition of drummer Mark Graalman and bassist Steve Goodrum. It usually takes time for a band to gel and refine their sound, and Sanctus Real is no exception; they toured extensively for six years and released three independent projects. The hard work paid off. Matt and Chris shopped their most recent indie release, Nothing to Lose, to the Christian music industry at Gospel Music Week in Nashville. Soon, the Buckeye band started receiving numerous offers, eventually settling with the recording contract offered by Sparrow. The record label believes in the band so much, they landed a spot for Sanctus Real on the high-profile Festival Con Dios tour last fall … before the release of their national debut. The response for the band was enthusiastic, which suggests that Sanctus Real will be even better received in next spring's See Spot Rock tour, now that Say It Loud is available to the public.
It's easy to assume Sanctus Real is a long-established act upon listening to Say It Loud. This is a first-rate modern-rock effort with impressive production and musicianship. Produced by Pete Stewart (Grammatrain, Tait), the sound will resonate with fans of bands such as Tree63, Jimmy Eat World, The Julianna Theory, Luna Halo, and Tait. It's melodic and hook-laden, but also hard-hitting. Matt's a great lead vocalist, much like John Ellis of Tree63, as well as Cliff Young (Caedmon's Call), Kevin Max, and Phillip LaRue. Matt and Chris' guitar work is clear and aggressive, creating a sonic blast over the powerful rhythm of Mark and Steve. Odds are you've heard the title track and first single on the radio by now, a great rocker about leaving our sinful past behind and living to make today right. Good news – the rest of the album is just as good.
Of the other tracks on Say It Loud, I most enjoy the uplifting sound of "Inspiration," another strong rocker and potential single with a great melody and strong guitar production. The lyrics include: "Seems we'll never do enough to tell the world about God's love / But every soul is worth the fight / 'Cause we can change the world by changing just one life." Also terrific is "Won't Walk Away," a simplistic but killer rock anthem you can imagine the masses yelling along to at concerts. "Nothing to Lose" feels like another probable radio single with its terrific melody and reminder to love others as God loves us: "There's no better time than when I find You in a feeling, and know I'm doing alright."...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
At a Glance … an impressively strong modern rock album from a relatively new band that bodes well for the future of Sanctus Real and Sparrow Records.
The formation of Sanctus Real is about as textbook a way to start a rock band as they come. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Hammitt met lead guitarist Chris Rohman while attending Toledo Christian School in Ohio. The two became fast friends and offered their services to lead youth worship at school and at church. They would go on to form Sanctus Real in 1996 with the addition of drummer Mark Graalman and bassist Steve Goodrum. It usually takes time for a band to gel and refine their sound, and Sanctus Real is no exception; they toured extensively for six years and released three independent projects. The hard work paid off. Matt and Chris shopped their most recent indie release, Nothing to Lose, to the Christian music industry at Gospel Music Week in Nashville. Soon, the Buckeye band started receiving numerous offers, eventually settling with the recording contract offered by Sparrow. The record label believes in the band so much, they landed a spot for Sanctus Real on the high-profile Festival Con Dios tour last fall … before the release of their national debut. The response for the band was enthusiastic, which suggests that Sanctus Real will be even better received in next spring's See Spot Rock tour, now that Say It Loud is available to the public.
It's easy to assume Sanctus Real is a long-established act upon listening to Say It Loud. This is a first-rate modern-rock effort with impressive production and musicianship. Produced by Pete Stewart (Grammatrain, Tait), the sound will resonate with fans of bands such as Tree63, Jimmy Eat World, The Julianna Theory, Luna Halo, and Tait. It's melodic and hook-laden, but also hard-hitting. Matt's a great lead vocalist, much like John Ellis of Tree63, as well as Cliff Young (Caedmon's Call), Kevin Max, and Phillip LaRue. Matt and Chris' guitar work is clear and aggressive, creating a sonic blast over the powerful rhythm of Mark and Steve. Odds are you've heard the title track and first single on the radio by now, a great rocker about leaving our sinful past behind and living to make today right. Good news – the rest of the album is just as good.
Of the other tracks on Say It Loud, I most enjoy the uplifting sound of "Inspiration," another strong rocker and potential single with a great melody and strong guitar production. The lyrics include: "Seems we'll never do enough to tell the world about God's love / But every soul is worth the fight / 'Cause we can change the world by changing just one life." Also terrific is "Won't Walk Away," a simplistic but killer rock anthem you can imagine the masses yelling along to at concerts. "Nothing to Lose" feels like another probable radio single with its terrific melody and reminder to love others as God loves us: "There's no better time than when I find You in a feeling, and know I'm doing alright."...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
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