To start off this review, the first thing I have to say is that I am not a techno/dance/electric fan at all. Joy Electric, Depeche Mode--not my thing. But, And Then There Were None (ew, double conjunction), being one of the newest band to sign with the amazingness that is Tooth & Nail Records, caught my attention with their song "Action is the Antedote" when it was previewed on the T&N podcast back in November. At first I listened to it, liked it, but then I started listening to it more, and then more, and then just listened to it over and over for a while; and that's when I realized I liked this band.
Now what, may you ask, is a dance act doing in a Christian rock blog? Well, ATTWN does have a few rock qualities mixed with their beats, and if I stepped out of my comfort zone to go buy a dance album, so can you. Plus, I really think this band deserves the attention.
Their debut, Who Speaks For Planet Earth opens with a forty-second static-filled intro, leading into "John Orr the Arsonist." Like many of the tracks on the album, some of the words become a bit difficult to understand when lead singer Matt Rhoades's voice is distorted for effect, but when his vocals are untampered, they reveal a very nice, high-pitched, punky voice. The next song on the album, "The Hospital," was a big disappointment to me, not even comparing to "Reinventing Robert Cohn" and "Action..." after I had heard those songs debuted on ATTWN's Purevolume page. With ATTWN, it seems, their music is either hit or miss, great or just strange. Since then, "Hospital" has grown on me, but it is still a strange kind of liking (kind of like how I like Capital Lights--I hate that I love them). "The Atmosphere" is a phenomenal song, but it seems like it would fit better with the band's previous style of metal-core. The cover of "Right Here Waiting" is slightly cheesy and non-fitting with the rest of the album. Now... "Thank the Watchmaker." "...Watchmaker" is another fantastic song from ATTWN, its name relating to the statement that without a watchmaker, there is no possible way there could be a watch. God is the Watchmaker, creating us to have a purpose in life--demonstrating that things do not happen by chance. The lyrics are great, and the opening and the verses sound perfect, it's just that the chorus does not fit the rest of the song in tempo or emotion. But besides that, "Watchmaker" is one of the best tracks on the album. "The Alamo" opening shows a bit of ATTWN's rock side. The background vocals that are shown in this song more than the others are a little weak and boring, but, oddly, sound well with Matt's voice.
The debut ends with the strangely titled "Insozzz...", bringing a very different--yet extremely fun album unlike anything I've ever heard to a close.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Update 2/15
Hey, whatsup whoever's reading! Just wanted to tell you guys about what's been going on recently in the world of rock!
RED's new CD, Innocence & Instinct made it to #2 on the iTunes Rock Album Chart and #5 on the Overall Album Chart! You can stream the album for FREE on the band's Imeem page. Congradulations, RED!
If you haven't heard yet, Family Force 5 is releasing a remix album May 19th! I know, it's old news, but this blog was created after that was announced, so just letting you know.
New stuff from House of Heroes coming March 3rd! Their album, The End is Not the End has been on iTunes since September, but they will be releasing it in stores on that date. It will have all the songs from the iTunes release, and will have two NEW acoustic songs called "Ghost" and "New Moon." Already have the iTunes version and don't want to buy it all over again? Well, they'll be releasing an EP titled The Acoustic End EP on iTunes April 7th, which will have the acoustic tracks, plus "a reworked, Violent Femmes-esque "If." I'm beyond excited, with House of Heroes being my favorite band and all, and The End is Not the End being the best album of all time in my opinion. Can't wait!
And finally, And Then There Were None releases their debut album Who Speaks For Planet Earth next week on the 24th. You might want to check that out. You can preorder it here and get just the CD or a bundle that includes the CD, a t-shirt and GLOW STICKS!!!! SWEET!!!! Or you could preorder it at Smartpunk and receive an autographed CD booklet!
-FISHER
RED's new CD, Innocence & Instinct made it to #2 on the iTunes Rock Album Chart and #5 on the Overall Album Chart! You can stream the album for FREE on the band's Imeem page. Congradulations, RED!
If you haven't heard yet, Family Force 5 is releasing a remix album May 19th! I know, it's old news, but this blog was created after that was announced, so just letting you know.
New stuff from House of Heroes coming March 3rd! Their album, The End is Not the End has been on iTunes since September, but they will be releasing it in stores on that date. It will have all the songs from the iTunes release, and will have two NEW acoustic songs called "Ghost" and "New Moon." Already have the iTunes version and don't want to buy it all over again? Well, they'll be releasing an EP titled The Acoustic End EP on iTunes April 7th, which will have the acoustic tracks, plus "a reworked, Violent Femmes-esque "If." I'm beyond excited, with House of Heroes being my favorite band and all, and The End is Not the End being the best album of all time in my opinion. Can't wait!
And finally, And Then There Were None releases their debut album Who Speaks For Planet Earth next week on the 24th. You might want to check that out. You can preorder it here and get just the CD or a bundle that includes the CD, a t-shirt and GLOW STICKS!!!! SWEET!!!! Or you could preorder it at Smartpunk and receive an autographed CD booklet!
-FISHER
Sunday, February 8, 2009
RED- Innocence & Instinct
RED's debut album, End of Silence, took the Christian rock industry by surprise in 2006. Since then they've been touring constantly with such bands as Seether, Breaking Benjamin, Flyleaf, and a slew of other big names. Over the last year they have been recording on the road, a new record called Innocence & Instinct. Now, RED fans, that long awaited album is here.
The Deluxe Edition CD starts off with a track called "Canto III," and like their debut, it is a slightly eerie instrumental track (very much like the opening of End of Silence). Following the opening comes RED's very impressive number one single, "Fight Inside," which deals with our evil nature battling with the part of us that knows what is right. Most of the songs on this album deal with the same concept. The explosive "Death of Me" is destined to be and instant favorite to all fans of RED, and it is most likely that almost anyone who likes Christian rock is going to like this song. Other songs, such as "Start Again," "Confession (What's Inside My Head)," and "Shadows" have great choruses that very well display Mike Barnes's fantastic vocals ("Out From Under" having the best ending to a rock song I have heard in a long time). The Standard Edition's album closer, "Take it All Away" is a slightly darker version of "Pieces," but it is still very much like the song. The three bonus songs on the Deluxe Edition (the intro being the fourth featured on this version), are my favorites on the album, and a must have for any RED fan. "Overtake You" is very much like "Wasting Time" lyrically, and "Forever" very well might be my favorite RED song as of yet. "Nothing and Everything" is the same idea as "Already Over Pt. 2" at the finish of Silence, because it is a piano/violin version of Fight Inside.
Now, enough comparing Innocence and Silence--here's where it's different. On Silence, there were five songs that were over five minutes long. On Innocence... Deluxe Edition, there are only two, with one a little under the five minute mark. I thought that was something special about RED--they alway rocked long and hard and then wound down at the end of the track with an orchestra or something (the orchestra still being present), but these are just average length rock songs you'll find on the radio. Not really a big deal, just you might find the album a little short if you don't get the Deluxe Edition.
Overall it is a GREAT album, HIGHLY recommended to anyone who is a RED fan, or has heard and liked "Breathe into Me." Innocence & Instinct has obliterated any chance of a slump for this band, and I can't wait to see what this band is going to do in the future.
The Deluxe Edition CD starts off with a track called "Canto III," and like their debut, it is a slightly eerie instrumental track (very much like the opening of End of Silence). Following the opening comes RED's very impressive number one single, "Fight Inside," which deals with our evil nature battling with the part of us that knows what is right. Most of the songs on this album deal with the same concept. The explosive "Death of Me" is destined to be and instant favorite to all fans of RED, and it is most likely that almost anyone who likes Christian rock is going to like this song. Other songs, such as "Start Again," "Confession (What's Inside My Head)," and "Shadows" have great choruses that very well display Mike Barnes's fantastic vocals ("Out From Under" having the best ending to a rock song I have heard in a long time). The Standard Edition's album closer, "Take it All Away" is a slightly darker version of "Pieces," but it is still very much like the song. The three bonus songs on the Deluxe Edition (the intro being the fourth featured on this version), are my favorites on the album, and a must have for any RED fan. "Overtake You" is very much like "Wasting Time" lyrically, and "Forever" very well might be my favorite RED song as of yet. "Nothing and Everything" is the same idea as "Already Over Pt. 2" at the finish of Silence, because it is a piano/violin version of Fight Inside.
Now, enough comparing Innocence and Silence--here's where it's different. On Silence, there were five songs that were over five minutes long. On Innocence... Deluxe Edition, there are only two, with one a little under the five minute mark. I thought that was something special about RED--they alway rocked long and hard and then wound down at the end of the track with an orchestra or something (the orchestra still being present), but these are just average length rock songs you'll find on the radio. Not really a big deal, just you might find the album a little short if you don't get the Deluxe Edition.
Overall it is a GREAT album, HIGHLY recommended to anyone who is a RED fan, or has heard and liked "Breathe into Me." Innocence & Instinct has obliterated any chance of a slump for this band, and I can't wait to see what this band is going to do in the future.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Three days!!!!
Hey, just want to make sure everyone is ready for RED's new album, Innocence & Instinct, coming out this Tuesday! I've heard it, and it is sick. Be sure to check back February 10th for a review!
If you want to pre-order the album, click here. It comes in Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and you can also get the Inferno Package, which comes with a t-shirt and the Deluxe Edition CD/DVD.
And don't forget to check out the amazing new video for "Death of Me" by clicking here. It will be featured on the Deluxe Edition DVD.
If you want to pre-order the album, click here. It comes in Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and you can also get the Inferno Package, which comes with a t-shirt and the Deluxe Edition CD/DVD.
And don't forget to check out the amazing new video for "Death of Me" by clicking here. It will be featured on the Deluxe Edition DVD.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Intro
Christian Rock OBSESSION is a blog featuring Christian rock album reviews, news updates and anything involving Christian rock. Yes, to me it is an obsession, because I spend almost all of my time listening to it. I'll post a review each time I hear a new album. Everytime I find out something about a release coming up, a music video being made--anything along those lines, I'll alert you. I hope you enjoy the blog! I look forward to seeing where this is going to go.
-FISHER
-FISHER
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