 By Kevin Pollard
• Third Day: Revelation, Essential
The latest album from rock veterans Third Day marks a
departure from their adult contemporary Wherever
You Are. They chose to work with producer Howard
Benson (P.O.D., Relient K), who has recaptured the gritty rock energy of Wire and southern rock sound of Time. Guests include Chris
Daughtry; Lacey Mosley from Flyleaf; and pedal steel guitarist Robert
Randolph. Those who have enjoyed the band’s radio-friendly
ballads are not left out, thanks to the inclusion of ‘Call My
Name,’ ‘Take it All’ and ‘Born Again.’
thirdday.com
• Nicole C. Mullen: A Dream to Believe In, Vol. 2,
Word/Curb/Warner
This is the second installment of a trilogy. Last
year’s Sharecropper’s Seed, Vol. 1 had an acoustic adult contemporary sound; this effort swings
to the opposite end of the spectrum with a R&B/pop feel. While
it’s great to hear this dance vibe, the album is lyrically uneven.
Hits include ‘Feel Like I’m in Love’ and ‘Treat Her
Like a Lady’; misses include the repetitive ‘Work With Me
(Dance)’ and ‘Brainwash.’ Fans of her classic Redeemer won’t find much to
enjoy here, except ‘Blessed and Broken’ and ‘Forever You
Reign.’ nicolecmullen.com
• Hillsong United: The I Heart Revolution, Hillsong
This summer, Hillsong United started a new social
justice initiative with an online community, live DVD release and this
double disk. The album encompasses two years of concerts on six continents
(including a song recorded in Vancouver), and represents their best songs
from the last five years. If you have not yet caught the United wave, this
album is a great best-of collection, with more than 150 minutes of music.
There is something for everyone: high energy favourites like ‘Tell
the World’ and ‘One Way’; worshipful ballads like
‘Mighty to Save’ and ‘Hosanna’; and anthems
like ‘Shout Unto God’ and ‘The Stand.’ theiheartrevolution.com
• Tenth Avenue North: Over
and Underneath, Reunion
The debut from this Florida group presents 11 new songs
of worship, which fans of MercyMe, Jars of Clay and Switchfoot will
gravitate to. The lyrics are both vulnerable and enlightening, as on
‘By Your Side’: “Look at these hands and my side /
They swallowed the grave on that night / When I drank the world’s sin
/ So I could carry you in / And give you my life.” Other highlights
include the prayerful rocker ‘Satisfy,’ the pop anthem
‘Love is Here’ and the instantly singable ‘Lift us Up to
Fall.’ tenthavenuenorth.com
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• Superchick: Rock What
You Got, inPop,
It’s been three years since Superchick released
their most successful CD, Beauty From Pain. The band offers heavier, in-your-face songs this time, with
a sound the band has dubbed ‘rock-o-tronic.’ Catchy rock
anthems abound, like ‘Hey, Hey’ and ‘So Beautiful’;
and the ballads ‘Breathe’ and ‘Crawl’ are a welcome
reprieve. But with only nine new songs, the wait does not seem worth it.
Much of their pop-rock appeal has been traded off for a hard edge with a
little too much attitude. Also included is a great remix of ‘Stand in
the Rain,’ and a guitar solo from Dave Ghazarian. superchickonline.com
November 2008
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