| The On-Line Music Review & Information Ministry |
| VOTA |
|
1. Hard To Believe
2. Be Mine
3. Love's Taken Over
4. Honestly
5. Not Finished
6. I'll Go
7. Give It To Me
8. Free To Fail
9. Save Ourselves
10. Bye Bye
11. In My Heart
2. Be Mine
3. Love's Taken Over
4. Honestly
5. Not Finished
6. I'll Go
7. Give It To Me
8. Free To Fail
9. Save Ourselves
10. Bye Bye
11. In My Heart
VOTA
[Release Date: November 11, 2008] (INO Records) [Digital]
[Release Date: February 10, 2009] (INO Records) [In Stores]
Track Listing:
[Release Date: February 10, 2009] (INO Records) [In Stores]
Track Listing:
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2.0 out of 4
2.7 out of 3
2.0 out of 2
0.7out of 1
7.4 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 74% C- |
VOTA’s self-titled debut album is an upbeat mixture of the past and the present.
Retro, Pop sounds blanket the album from beginning to end with hints of Tom
Petty, Weezer, DC Talk, Newsboys and even Def Leopard. Solid hooks and
tried and true melodies make the tracks easy to listen to while passing time.
While no song on the album is particularly deep or introspective, there are
points along the way that may cause you to reflect.
Concerning the lyrics, I found that references to The Almighty were often
substituted with non-descriptive pronouns and more generic expressions of
love. Overall messages contained in songs like “Be Mine”, “I’ll Go”, “Save
Ourselves”, “Bye Bye” were somewhat general while other tracks like “Free Fail”,
“Love’s Taken Over” and “Honestly” focused a bit more on Christian oriented
themes.
For the music’s part, the soundtrack on VOTA was both eclectic and nostalgic.
With so many familiar chords, you’ll find that your ears get excited in the same
way they might if you were listening to an iTunes mix of favorites from the 80s
and 90s. The distinctly stylized approach transmitted by way of pitchy guitars,
synthesizers, drum machines and crowd echoes turn VOTA’s current effort into
more of a modern throwback.
In the end, I found none of the songs on this release really stuck with me for
very long. And although an album filled with fun, catchy and reminiscent tunes
might satisfy some, other listeners will prefer newer sounds with songs offering a
bit more redeeming value.
For more Christian music reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
Closing Thoughts:
VOTA’s debut album is an entertaining take me away, good when exercising or
at the office. If you’re looking for songs that will express or even challenge your
faith – this is not that album. However, if what you want is a solid retro-style pick-
me-up, you might want to consider it.
Retro, Pop sounds blanket the album from beginning to end with hints of Tom
Petty, Weezer, DC Talk, Newsboys and even Def Leopard. Solid hooks and
tried and true melodies make the tracks easy to listen to while passing time.
While no song on the album is particularly deep or introspective, there are
points along the way that may cause you to reflect.
Concerning the lyrics, I found that references to The Almighty were often
substituted with non-descriptive pronouns and more generic expressions of
love. Overall messages contained in songs like “Be Mine”, “I’ll Go”, “Save
Ourselves”, “Bye Bye” were somewhat general while other tracks like “Free Fail”,
“Love’s Taken Over” and “Honestly” focused a bit more on Christian oriented
themes.
For the music’s part, the soundtrack on VOTA was both eclectic and nostalgic.
With so many familiar chords, you’ll find that your ears get excited in the same
way they might if you were listening to an iTunes mix of favorites from the 80s
and 90s. The distinctly stylized approach transmitted by way of pitchy guitars,
synthesizers, drum machines and crowd echoes turn VOTA’s current effort into
more of a modern throwback.
In the end, I found none of the songs on this release really stuck with me for
very long. And although an album filled with fun, catchy and reminiscent tunes
might satisfy some, other listeners will prefer newer sounds with songs offering a
bit more redeeming value.
For more Christian music reviews By Aaron, visit: http://reviewsbyaaron.com
Closing Thoughts:
VOTA’s debut album is an entertaining take me away, good when exercising or
at the office. If you’re looking for songs that will express or even challenge your
faith – this is not that album. However, if what you want is a solid retro-style pick-
me-up, you might want to consider it.
Review Written By: Aaron Hassen [aaron.hassen@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: November 7, 2008
Review Rating
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Main Review & Closing Thoughts
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