By Kevin Pollard

>* tobyMac: Tonight, EMI

Summer has officially come early with this highly anticipated album; the tracks beg to be cranked up loud on an open road with the top down. It’s been a long three years since his last studio album; Toby has always been an uber-perfectionist. But it was truly worth the wait.

This, his fourth solo effort, once again combines elements of R&B, funk, rock and hip-hop – with his high-octane energy cranked up a level.

This is especially evident on ‘Showstopper’ and the title cut – which features guest vocals from Skillet’s John Cooper.

There are sure to be many more successful radio singles to follow the first two chart toppers, ‘City on Our Knees’ and ‘Get Back Up.’

Toby continues to offer the perfect combination of infectious rhythms and melodies, coupled with lyrics that express his heart for Christ.

Other highlights include ‘Wonderin,’ with Canadian Matt Thiessen from Relient K; ‘Start Somewhere,’ a song about the singer resolving an argument with his wife; and ‘Hey Devil,’ with its 80s alt-pop sound.  

In the latter song, he sings: “Shuffled down the boulevard, cut me like a deck of cards / I thought you had me, you thought that you had me / But hey devil, go on, get your junk outta here, I don’t need you.”

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* NewWorldSon: Newworldson, inPop

Salvation Station, the debut album from these Ontario natives, garnered Covenant awards – and ended up topping many a critic’s album of the year lists. With the release of this sophomore album, the critics continue to rave.

A CCM review sums it up thus: “Sensational musicianship, keen lyrical themes and a bossy vibe that is just plain cool – Newworldson’s ‘it’ factor is off the charts.”

From the first listen, I was entranced by the sound. It’s a mix of jazz, blues, gospel and rock, with smooth vocals the likes of Michael Buble.

Intense grooves are found on ‘You Set the Rhythm,’ ‘Do You Believe in Love?,’ ‘That’s Exactly (How I Like It)’ and the hit single ‘There is a Way.’

The party continues with the reggae beats of ‘Total Eclipse,’ thanks to Christafari’s Mark Mohr; and the ‘Jamaican Praise Medley.’

Things slow down on the jazz ballads ‘O Lament’ and ‘Rocky Road.’

The diversity found here – along with the unique grooves – make this a CD you need to discover.

* Hawk Nelson: Live Life Loud!, BEC

Fellow Ontario natives Hawk Nelson are back, with their fourth album. They continue to offer up high energy punk-pop-rock, as heard on  ‘Long Ago,’ ‘Eggshells’ (featuring guest tobyMac) and the title track.  

The fun factor continues with an acoustic tribute to the Stanley Cup, on ‘Ode to Lord Stanley.’

Maturity shines through on ‘The Final Toast,’ a tribute to the passing of frontman Jason Dunn’s grandfather; and the cover of the hymn ‘’Tis So Sweet,’ complete with sombre bagpipes.

The strongest track is the prayerful ‘Shaken,’ where Dunn sings: “Lord use me, take me where you want me to go / and I’m ready, these hands are dedicated to change.”

April 2010