|
1. Joy Unspeakable [Listen]
2. Written On The Wall [Listen]
3. I Need No Other [Listen]
4. Give Me Jesus [Listen]
5. Higher Ground [Listen]
6. Tell Me The Story [Listen]
7. Did You Mean Me? [Listen]
8. Gloria [Listen]
2. Written On The Wall [Listen]
3. I Need No Other [Listen]
4. Give Me Jesus [Listen]
5. Higher Ground [Listen]
6. Tell Me The Story [Listen]
7. Did You Mean Me? [Listen]
8. Gloria [Listen]
Need
[Release Date: October 6, 2009] (INO Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
9. The Love of God [Listen]
10. Breakable [Listen]
11. Deep Love of Jesus [Listen]
12. Jesus, The Hope of Glory [Listen]
10. Breakable [Listen]
11. Deep Love of Jesus [Listen]
12. Jesus, The Hope of Glory [Listen]
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
4.0 out of 4
2.5 out of 3
1.5 out of 2
0.5 out of 1
8.5 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 85% B |
For many, Todd Agnew is an acquired taste. While his past albums have had their
moments, it’s also fair to say that they’ve had their challenges as well. Listening to the
paradox that exists in Todd’s deep grunge vocals set upon tracks reciting Bible stories
and old church hymns is strange to some and sometimes difficult to relate to. Often
plagued by slow, wordy ballads sung in a deep baritone, Todd’s recent releases fell flat
and had difficulty connecting.
Need, however, is quite different. This time around, Todd Agnew achieves balance. On
Need, the best qualities of his signature lyricism and heartfelt vocals are captured within
a myriad of listener-friendly hooks and infectious sounds. Much of the unwanted
wordiness of past albums has been toned down and replaced with more syncopated
rhyme. Todd returns once again to using his full vocal register, allowing choruses to
build and reach their true intended climax. As a consequence, much of the music on
Need feels natural, less embellished and far more appealing than before.
What’s more, Need offers a clever combination of styles from church hymns to
southern gospel and both, classic and modern rock. This spectrum of influences helps
keep the album interesting and the anticipation going from one song to the next. Several
tracks on the album stand out for me as they remind us again of Todd’s gifts.
First off, tapping into the magic of past hits like “Grace Like Rain” and “This Fragile
Breath,” are the tracks “Written On The Wall” and “The Love of God.” The song,
“Written On The Wall” is an up-beat, piano-driven piece that includes the highly
identifiable sentiment: ”I wish you still spoke through burning bushes...and I wish you
still wrote on blocks of stone…‘cause the sound of this world is deafening and I wish
your will was still written on the wall.” The song, “The Love of God” is a pacing and
haunting alternative rock version of a timeless church hymn based on an old Jewish
poem that expresses the endless depth of God’s Love. Dramatic and humble, Todd
delivers what may be one of his most timeless covers yet. There is power in the chords
as Todd delicately sings: “Oh, the Love of God – how rich and how pure, how
measureless and strong. The Love of God – it shall evermore endure, the saints and
angels song.”
Not to be outdone, the tracks “Did You Mean Me” and “Gloria” also soar to great
heights. In “Did You Mean Me” Todd relates his personal struggle with sin and his own
humanity in contrast to God’s eternal promises. Todd’s willingness to expose his own
self-doubt in the lyric, “You said all sins can be forgiven, but when You said that, did
You mean me? Did You mean me?“ is quite powerful. Also demanding attention, the
radio-friendly first track on the album, “Joy Unspeakable” is both lively and sweet, and
stylistically reminiscent of the hit song, “Heaven” by Los Lonely Boys. Dynamic as well,
are the rocky “Breakable” and the classical hymn “I Need No Other,” which includes the
title lyric: “I need no other argument, I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died,
and that he died for me.”
Unlike recent attempts, Need is an album from Todd Agnew that has greater commercial
appeal and is far easier to consume. In addition to loyal Todd Agnew fans, I expect
general audiences to respond favorably to this solid release. Congratulations to Todd for
his superb work!
For more Christian Music Reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
Closing Thoughts:
If, for whatever reason, you’ve drifted away from Todd Agnew’s music in recent years,
it’s time to come back and listen again. In Need, Todd reclaims so much of what
originally attracted audiences to his music. His new album, Need offers listeners Todd’s
signature depth and power, but more importantly, it recaptures his original artistry in a
format that is highly consumable and extremely infectious.
moments, it’s also fair to say that they’ve had their challenges as well. Listening to the
paradox that exists in Todd’s deep grunge vocals set upon tracks reciting Bible stories
and old church hymns is strange to some and sometimes difficult to relate to. Often
plagued by slow, wordy ballads sung in a deep baritone, Todd’s recent releases fell flat
and had difficulty connecting.
Need, however, is quite different. This time around, Todd Agnew achieves balance. On
Need, the best qualities of his signature lyricism and heartfelt vocals are captured within
a myriad of listener-friendly hooks and infectious sounds. Much of the unwanted
wordiness of past albums has been toned down and replaced with more syncopated
rhyme. Todd returns once again to using his full vocal register, allowing choruses to
build and reach their true intended climax. As a consequence, much of the music on
Need feels natural, less embellished and far more appealing than before.
What’s more, Need offers a clever combination of styles from church hymns to
southern gospel and both, classic and modern rock. This spectrum of influences helps
keep the album interesting and the anticipation going from one song to the next. Several
tracks on the album stand out for me as they remind us again of Todd’s gifts.
First off, tapping into the magic of past hits like “Grace Like Rain” and “This Fragile
Breath,” are the tracks “Written On The Wall” and “The Love of God.” The song,
“Written On The Wall” is an up-beat, piano-driven piece that includes the highly
identifiable sentiment: ”I wish you still spoke through burning bushes...and I wish you
still wrote on blocks of stone…‘cause the sound of this world is deafening and I wish
your will was still written on the wall.” The song, “The Love of God” is a pacing and
haunting alternative rock version of a timeless church hymn based on an old Jewish
poem that expresses the endless depth of God’s Love. Dramatic and humble, Todd
delivers what may be one of his most timeless covers yet. There is power in the chords
as Todd delicately sings: “Oh, the Love of God – how rich and how pure, how
measureless and strong. The Love of God – it shall evermore endure, the saints and
angels song.”
Not to be outdone, the tracks “Did You Mean Me” and “Gloria” also soar to great
heights. In “Did You Mean Me” Todd relates his personal struggle with sin and his own
humanity in contrast to God’s eternal promises. Todd’s willingness to expose his own
self-doubt in the lyric, “You said all sins can be forgiven, but when You said that, did
You mean me? Did You mean me?“ is quite powerful. Also demanding attention, the
radio-friendly first track on the album, “Joy Unspeakable” is both lively and sweet, and
stylistically reminiscent of the hit song, “Heaven” by Los Lonely Boys. Dynamic as well,
are the rocky “Breakable” and the classical hymn “I Need No Other,” which includes the
title lyric: “I need no other argument, I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died,
and that he died for me.”
Unlike recent attempts, Need is an album from Todd Agnew that has greater commercial
appeal and is far easier to consume. In addition to loyal Todd Agnew fans, I expect
general audiences to respond favorably to this solid release. Congratulations to Todd for
his superb work!
For more Christian Music Reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
Closing Thoughts:
If, for whatever reason, you’ve drifted away from Todd Agnew’s music in recent years,
it’s time to come back and listen again. In Need, Todd reclaims so much of what
originally attracted audiences to his music. His new album, Need offers listeners Todd’s
signature depth and power, but more importantly, it recaptures his original artistry in a
format that is highly consumable and extremely infectious.
Review Written By: Aaron Hassen [aaron.hassen@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: October 4, 2009
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Additional Reviews
Main Review & Closing Thoughts
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| [Album Review] |
| Todd Agnew |