Main Review
Newly founded imprint, Vertusent Records makes its first mark on the music market with debut act
Runaway City. The North Carolina-bred post-grunge rockers’ release, Armored Heart has the potential for
mass commercial appeal and is perfect for fans of Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, and Daughtry.
Armored Heart is chock full of gritty rock songs (“Daybreak,” “Scars”) and irresistibly catchy anthems
(“Fade,” “Lately,” “Only You”). Radio-ready power ballad, “Longing” provides a change of pace and adds
to the album’s dynamic. Runaway City also defies the post-grunge genre in spots by moving away from
moody-riffed rock songs in favor of upbeat tunes like “Save Me” and “Try.”
Runaway City’s weaker points lie in the lyrics, which are rather lackluster. Also, the overuse pronouns
may leave listeners wondering if “You” is a girl or God; although this is probably an attempt to reach both
mainstream and Christian markets. Even so, listeners will be able to draw hope from Armored Heart,
with lyrics like- “You are more than this/Hope is not lost, hope is not lost” (“More Than This”).
Closing Thoughts
Runaway City’s infectious hooks make up for its lyrical shortcomings. The messages are empowering
and hopeful, but could be more poignant if the band clearly defined where its hope comes from.
Review Written By: Cara Fisher [cara.fisher@christianmusicreview.org] on 6/21/2010
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