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| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
'In The Making'
[Release Date: September 16, 2008] (Flicker Records)
Track Listing
1. Sleeping In [Listen]
2. It's True [Listen]
3. Cross My Heart [Listen]
4. It's No Secret [Listen]
5. Rest [Listen]
6. I Needed This [Listen]
7. Longshot [Listen]
8. Augustine [Listen]
1. Sleeping In [Listen]
2. It's True [Listen]
3. Cross My Heart [Listen]
4. It's No Secret [Listen]
5. Rest [Listen]
6. I Needed This [Listen]
7. Longshot [Listen]
8. Augustine [Listen]
| ><> Review Written By: Liz Zelinski (liz.zelinski@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: September 15, 2008 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| In a press release, Josh Pearson says, “I believe that we are called to write about both the light that shines in the darkness, and about the darkness that does not understand it. I believe that honesty always breaks down walls. Healing begins when we are able to, first of all, be honest before God. Secondly, be honest and vulnerable with one another. I hope that our songs reflect this idea, and that, when people listen to Nevertheless, they get a sense that God loves them, and wants to talk to them.” Listeners should get exactly that: a good sense that God loves them, and He alone can and will heal. Over all, I really enjoyed this album, and the messages of hope and endurance should be something that draws many young Christians to this band. Good job guys! |
Nevertheless is comprised of five members: Josh Pearson on acoustic guitar and vocals,
AJ Cheek on lead guitar and backup vocals, Brad Jones on guitar and backing vocals,
Adam Wann on bass, and Adam Rowe on drums.
Sounds like: Mae, Relient K, Coldplay.
Nevertheless debuted with an independent album in 2005 and one year later had already
moved up to a major label with the release of “Live like we’re alive.” Now with the release of
their third project, “In the Making,” they are continuing to make their mark on the Christian
music world. “In the Making,” while less edgy than its earlier counter parts, is still a true
mark of good music. The lyrics are full of emotion, and the songs reflect the lives, values,
and experiences of band members personally. It’s good when a band is willing to tell the
fans where they are in life and what they are learning. “In the Making” is a successful
attempt to do just that. Guitarist AJ Cheek expressed his opinion about the new direction of
the band in a press release, saying, “We intentionally sought to progress in how our
record would sound this time. It’s not a complete departure from the last records’ sound,
but more an accent of it, with a bit more depth of emotion.”
“Sleeping In” kicks off the album as a song of encouragement for those facing their various
insecurities. “You caught me sleeping in, / I’m still hiding, I’m still waiting. / I need you here
with me to face the world outside. / Cause I’m tired of sleeping in. / Open up my eyes / I’m
tired of sleeping in a world that’s dying to wake up!”
The second track, “It’s True,” is about the things we do that hurt God and tear us away
from Him. Even though we sin over and over again, this song reminds us that “Your grace
is unstoppable / It’s bigger than what we’ve done / or how we feel / It’s true…” We can’t
mess up God’ plan for our lives, no matter how hard we try. Even if our lives seem to be
spinning out of control, they are not out of God’s control.
One of the album’s highlights is a very original song entitled, “Topics.” It’s about secrets
that teenagers and students are afraid to tell anyone. The band members stated that while
on the road, kids will tell them things that they are afraid to tell their parents or church
leaders. They are afraid of ridicule or negative reactions. So in the mean time they are in
trouble and won’t ask for help. This song is saying that we shouldn’t close our eyes to the
truth of what is happening to our kids, and we should be ready to help and love them
through whatever problems they are having, not reject them for their failures. It’s always
best to confide in someone who loves you when you are having a problem. “We avoid the
topics, / we make the kids have secrets, / and when they are exposed and everyone else
knows, / we say we never knew it, / that they had a problem, / cuz if we would have known,
/ we surely would have solved it. / But we can’t. It’s too late. / God, you’ve got to save us…”
This song is great because it is asking people to open their eyes to what is really
happening. Don’t close your eyes and pretend that nothing is wrong. Face the problems
so you can help your youth face them and get through them too.
The last two songs, “When I’m alone,” and “Found my way back again,” speak to those
who are living through difficult times. Sometimes there seems like no hope in a desperate
situation. But with Christ, there is always hope. “Take me out of the dark, out of the place
where I fell, and back with you…Just let Him in, let Him in tonight.” The music is slow and
sweet, and full of comfort. There will be a time in everyone’s life where there is only one
person who can pull you out of the miry clay, and that’s Jesus.
AJ Cheek on lead guitar and backup vocals, Brad Jones on guitar and backing vocals,
Adam Wann on bass, and Adam Rowe on drums.
Sounds like: Mae, Relient K, Coldplay.
Nevertheless debuted with an independent album in 2005 and one year later had already
moved up to a major label with the release of “Live like we’re alive.” Now with the release of
their third project, “In the Making,” they are continuing to make their mark on the Christian
music world. “In the Making,” while less edgy than its earlier counter parts, is still a true
mark of good music. The lyrics are full of emotion, and the songs reflect the lives, values,
and experiences of band members personally. It’s good when a band is willing to tell the
fans where they are in life and what they are learning. “In the Making” is a successful
attempt to do just that. Guitarist AJ Cheek expressed his opinion about the new direction of
the band in a press release, saying, “We intentionally sought to progress in how our
record would sound this time. It’s not a complete departure from the last records’ sound,
but more an accent of it, with a bit more depth of emotion.”
“Sleeping In” kicks off the album as a song of encouragement for those facing their various
insecurities. “You caught me sleeping in, / I’m still hiding, I’m still waiting. / I need you here
with me to face the world outside. / Cause I’m tired of sleeping in. / Open up my eyes / I’m
tired of sleeping in a world that’s dying to wake up!”
The second track, “It’s True,” is about the things we do that hurt God and tear us away
from Him. Even though we sin over and over again, this song reminds us that “Your grace
is unstoppable / It’s bigger than what we’ve done / or how we feel / It’s true…” We can’t
mess up God’ plan for our lives, no matter how hard we try. Even if our lives seem to be
spinning out of control, they are not out of God’s control.
One of the album’s highlights is a very original song entitled, “Topics.” It’s about secrets
that teenagers and students are afraid to tell anyone. The band members stated that while
on the road, kids will tell them things that they are afraid to tell their parents or church
leaders. They are afraid of ridicule or negative reactions. So in the mean time they are in
trouble and won’t ask for help. This song is saying that we shouldn’t close our eyes to the
truth of what is happening to our kids, and we should be ready to help and love them
through whatever problems they are having, not reject them for their failures. It’s always
best to confide in someone who loves you when you are having a problem. “We avoid the
topics, / we make the kids have secrets, / and when they are exposed and everyone else
knows, / we say we never knew it, / that they had a problem, / cuz if we would have known,
/ we surely would have solved it. / But we can’t. It’s too late. / God, you’ve got to save us…”
This song is great because it is asking people to open their eyes to what is really
happening. Don’t close your eyes and pretend that nothing is wrong. Face the problems
so you can help your youth face them and get through them too.
The last two songs, “When I’m alone,” and “Found my way back again,” speak to those
who are living through difficult times. Sometimes there seems like no hope in a desperate
situation. But with Christ, there is always hope. “Take me out of the dark, out of the place
where I fell, and back with you…Just let Him in, let Him in tonight.” The music is slow and
sweet, and full of comfort. There will be a time in everyone’s life where there is only one
person who can pull you out of the miry clay, and that’s Jesus.
| 4.0 |
| 2.4 |
| 2.0 |
| 0.8 |
| 9.2 |
| 92% A- |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |