NEEDTOBREATHE - The Reckoning

NEEDTOBREATHE is the perfect example of band evolution... in a good way. Many bands hit a really good sound, and slowly fade out of it and, consequently, out of fame. I think NEEDTOBREATHE (yup, I'm gonna capitalize ALL the letters.) may have done quite the opposite. They've come from a sound that was actually pretty typical, and have turned into a very interesting and noteworthy group. They started back in the year 2000, but didn't make a full-length album until 2006. Their first album, however, happens to be one of my favorites. They've gone from a poppy, upbeat sound that easily fit into chick flick movie soundtracks to a big, loud, South Carolina sound that is both musically and lyrically entangling. 

This new album has the sophisticated yet southern twang of The Outsiders, but with "Oohs and Ahhs" it starts out quite a bit darker. A slow and southern beginning, backing vocals, crashing chorus, and killer instrumental (with horns and all) make it a very memorable first song. The next two songs are a bit more light-hearted and have more of a "country road" feel to them. I'm a Texas boy, so naturally I love it. "A Place Only You Can Go", "Tyrant Kings", and "Learn to Love" all are slow, powerful songs, easily bringing one back to songs like "Stones Under Rushing Water" and "Haley". The fifth track, "Slumber" was released earlier as a single, and received unending praise... from those who knew about it. The single wasn't very highly advertised, and many people don't even know it was a single. As for the song itself, it typifies the powerful, moving attitude of NEEDTOBREATHE. The title track "The Reckoning" is (and I'm gonna use this word whether It's professional or not) epic. Drums with big reverb, echoing guitar riffs, high-end piano notes throughout the song, this song deserves to be the album title. "Able" is perhaps one of the more southern of songs NEEDTOBREATHE has produced. With it's recurring chorus lines, backing vocals, old time piano, and slide guitar, this song is an easy one to just sit and enjoy. "Maybe They're On to Us" is definitely a different song for this album. It would fit well in The Outsiders, but even then, it seems a little forced. It definitely has great lyrics, though, and a good feel to it. It provides a great contrast to the rest of the album. "Wanted Man" is a very "open" feeling song. It reminds me of Mumford & Sons' "The Cave", but that could be because of the whistling. Either way, it is well done, and well thought-out. "Keep Your Eyes Open" starts out like a City Harmonic song. A high pitched piano riff, leading into a driving bass line. The rest of the song follows the typical Bear Rinehart drive & passion. "Devil's Been Talkin'" and "Angel and My Door" have the driving, banjo strumming energy that makes this album complete. Perfect songs to add to your road trip playlist. 

Overall, NEEDTOBREATHE has not disappointed me at all. It is a very well done album. From Bear Rinehart's passionate vocals, to his brother Bo's lively banjo, The Reckoning is an album that you'll want to download. 

I'm going to say this in every post, because I want to support Spotify, and because I think it's awesome. Especially since it's really the only way I can find new music easily here in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. So yeah, if you haven't already, get Spotify. A premium account is about $10 a month, and free is... free. You have to be invited, though. Sorry about that.

If you just can't bring yourself to become a part of the new best thing ever, you can always download The Reckoning and other NEEDTOBREATHE albums on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/needtobreathe/id113247214

Happy listening!

Switchfoot - Vice Verses

I decided to start with an easy one. Switchfoot. I've been a fan of Switchfoot for a long time, and they've never failed me. They've been together since 1996, have produced 8 albums, and have won 9 Dove Awards and a Grammy. This is the point at which most bands start to slowly fall downhill. Take another of my favorite bands, Anberlin. Never Take Friendship Personal and Blueprints for the Blackmarket are two of my all-time favorite albums, but ever since New Surrender I just get sad when I listen to them. Switchfoot has not disappointed me so. The boys have once again made me squeal like a girl when I started listening to the first song, and that excitement lasted through the entire album, which is not an easy task. 

The first track, "Afterlife" is definitely an embodiment of Switchfoot's recent change in direction. It takes a slightly darker turn than their previous songs, starting with thick guitars and heavy drums. The entire song continues with a slightly "epic" feel (can I use that word?), with inspiring lyrics and a memorable guitar solo near the third quarter of the song. The next two tracks, "The Original" and "The War Inside" bring us back to the Switchfoot we're all familiar with. The punky, exciting sound makes old-time fans feel at ease knowing their old friends are still the same crazy, fun loving rock stars they've always been. The next track, "Restless" reminds me of a toned down "Your Love is a Song". Not the most memorable song on the album, but a masterpiece nonetheless. "Blinding Light" takes us back a little to the Nothing is Sound days with the line "Hey girl," repeated through the song and the uplifting, encouraging lyrics seemingly directed to a typical teenage girl vexed with discouragement and loss of direction. Definitely classic Switchfoot. "Selling the News" definitely gives a small shock to listeners. With Switchfoot experimenting with the spoken word, this song definitely sticks out. On a commentary they made, they said this song was written to be put on Hello Hurricane, but after much thought, the band decided to save it for their next album. A wise choice, in my opinion. The song sticks out in stark contrast to the melody and depth of the other tracks. That says nothing for the depth of the lyrics, though. The lyrics in this song are perhaps some of the most powerful in Switchfoot history. If you could only listen to one song on this album, I would suggest this one. "Thrive", "Souvenirs", "Where I Belong", and title track "Vice Verses" bring excellent balance to the album, and are woven into it in just the right places, creating a master piece. The more upbeat "Rise Above It" is just one more party of a song written to encourage the lost and left out to "rise above it." The track "Dark Horses" was released early as a single, and it got our mouths watering. Arguably the most well done on the album, and the favorite of many, "Dark Horses" was written for homeless kids in San Diego."They are the true dark horses... They've been dealt a tough deck of cards, and they're fighting it." said bassist Tim Foreman in a special commentary.

Vice Verses has definitely impressed me, and if you like good music with meaning, then you should probably like it too. I'm just saying. Switchfoot still has yet to let me down, and I will continue to act like a child at Christmas every time they come out with something new. If you don't have Spotify, I suggest you get it. Without an invitation it's about $9 a month for as much music as you can possibly listen to. 

If you don't, then you can always buy this album, along with Switchfoot's other albums at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/switchfoot/id655658

Happy listening!

Blog time.

I feel awesome. It's like this is my own little world! Here, what I'll do (at least for now) is I'll be taking albums that are popular (or that I want to be popular) and posting a review of them on this blog. If you have any questions, comments, agreements, or disagreements, feel free to comment. I wanna hear things!