Andrew Peterson - Resurrection Letters - Volume II
November 6, 2008 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
“Andrew Peterson has always been one of Christian music’s most literate singer/songwriters, and his first album for Centricity Records is filled with the kind of soul-stirring, thought-provoking songs that fans have come to expect. The project opens with the warm, inviting “All Things New,” setting the tone for this collection, which explores the theme of resurrection and renewal. “Invisible God” is a unique worship song that celebrates all the ways in which God’s majesty is displayed, while “Love Is a Good Thing” is a fiddle-laced, country-flavored number about the complexities of love. —Deborah Evans Price”
Travis - Ode To J Smith
November 6, 2008 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
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Travis - Ode To J Smith
“To the “less is more” adage, add the idea that quicker is better—particularly in the case of Travis’ sixth album. The British quartet wrote the exceptional “Ode to J Smith” in just five weeks and recorded it in two. Not surprisingly, its 11 songs bristle with an urgency that more closely resembles (but rocks harder than) Travis’ 1997 debut “Good Feeling” than 2007’s sumptuously crafted “The Boy With No Name,” with a decidedly uptempo countenance and plenty of room for lead guitarist Andy Dunlop’s riffs, solos and fills. The album’s concept, about the last day in the life of the titular J Smith, is more impressionistic than narrative, with frontman Fran Healy wringing out a few philosophical nuggets atop the power chord-led rock groove of “Chinese Blues,” the kinetic bounce of “Long Way Down,” the trippy thump of “Get Up” and the Coldplay-style drama of “Quite Free.” —Gary Graff”
