Genesis

I am still wandering aimlessly in the desert of new Christian music. I think I just saw Michael W Smith collapse, somebody get some water quick!!

Thankfully as of late I have been digging a band that has been around for a while and has a pretty wide audience appeal.

I actually remember seeing these guys play several years ago. They may have been an opener on the Rebecca St James tour (don't laugh.  fun fact: her band on that tour was Fusebox.  Who's Fusebox?  google 'em).  Anyways, I don't remember much about the music which is a shame, cause in hindsight it was probably really good. These guys are definitely the little band that could. They tour constantly, represent a small genre in Christian music, yet they just can't get the recognition/awards that they more than likely deserve.

This is their 3rd studio release and the follow-up to 2004's "Today" disc (which I can also strongly recommend). The band has a nice mix of instruments and most songs are led by some really nice upbeat piano work (what?? no guitar lead??). Thinking about it maybe the reason I tuned out when I saw them was because I was from the school of "Piano's can't rock", I stand corrected.

This disc has a more mature sound than the previous two releases and that is good and bad. The bad is that some of the fun has been stripped away from the songs. The good is that the guys have really been reflecting and leaning on the Word and it shows. After losing a deal with their previous label and going through various member changes it seems that they are also leaning on the one guy who can get them through; God.

I would put pianst Britt Edwards at the top of the pop-driven piano players in the industry. Think of him as Ben Folds with faith, Elton John sans the goofy outfits and other things, etc. It seems though that the caffeine intake has been reduced and the songs are much more laid back this time around.

There are two hymn makeovers on the disc that are refreshing and enjoyable to listen to ("Nothing But the Blood" and "At the Feet of Jesus"). The rest of disc is laden with scripturally based worship and praise.  Albeit a bit laid back.

Maybe this review sounds more like an advertisement for the other two cd's. I guess it's a both/and.