Main Review
Tenth Avenue North, made up of members Mike Donehey (lead vocalist/acoustic guitar), Jason Jamison
(drummer), Jeff Owen (electric guitar/background vocals) and Scott Sanders (bass guitar), has been
featuring its brand of intellectual, melodic, pop-rock on tour in support of its single, “Love Is Here,” and its
debut project, Over and Underneath. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make him
known,” says Donehey. “It’s a grand adventure.”
With one listen to the music of Tenth Avenue North, it becomes obvious that songwriter Mike Donehey
and his bandmates have a gift for expressing truth in a way that simultaneously educates, enlightens and
entertains. They are as much teachers, as artists, demonstrating this through their intellectual, yet
vulnerably accessible songs that echo the heart of the human condition and the hope of the risen Savior.
"Tenth Avenue North's melodies are memorable and the musicianship is taut and inventive, but it's Mike
Donehey's incredible lyrics that literally moved me to tears. He has an uncanny ability to put words to the
hopes, fears, dreams, and struggles we all carry in our hearts and on our shoulders," says Billboard
Magazine's Deborah Evans Price. "To say this band is going to be 'the next big thing' feels like an
understatement."
This album spoke to my heart in a way that other music in recent past hasn’t. The gifts that have been
given to these guys and the passion they have using these gifts is amazing. They have a genuine sound
and message in this album. After listening to this album you can tell that they are in it for the love of our
God Jesus The Christ. This is the calling God has placed on their lives and I for one am happy to see
them being obedient to God.
Their hit single which spent time at #1 “Love is Here” is an amazing song that lets you know no matter
what God’s love is always here. The chorus says “Love is here. Love is now. Love is pouring from his
hands, from his brows. Love is near, it satisfies. Steams of mercy flowing from his side. Cuz love is
here.”. Next time you think you have it rough and you don’t know what to do just think of these words and
know that Love is here.
Other songs on this album give us the message that He is by our side wherever we fall. All we have to
do is remember that his hands are holding us. God will never leave or forsake us. All he wants us to
know is that He love us and he will never let us go.
Closing Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. This album is something that I needed to remind me of key things about
my relationship with God. Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we lose control. Well, God
says let it go. It’s when we lose our lives that we find our soul. Let God be in control. Surrender your life
to him and see how much better things get. Without God we are nothing, but with God “ALL” things are
possible.
I would like to thank the band for being true and sensitive to the word of God. I know that you will have
much continued success as long as your focus remains the same. God knows what is best for us.
Thank you guys for this blessing that you have bestowed upon us with this album. Thank you for the
message in this album and the lives that will be and have been touched by God through your music.
Keep following the will of God, and I look forward to the next project you guys come out with. God bless.
Review Written By: Ben Collins [ben.collins@christianmusicreview.org] on 6/25/2008
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