CD Review: "Go" by The Newsboys

CD Review:
Go Newsboys
By Blair Sanders

After performing praise and worship songs for the past few years, The Newsboys have returned to their rockin' roots with their CD, Go. Go brings back the traditional Newsboys pop/rock sound that Newsboys fans have been missing. The single, "Wherever We Go", kicks off the disc. "Go (I Wanna Send You)" follows. Both of these songs are upbeat declarations of the Newsboys' passion for mission work. Their newest radio single, "Something Beautiful", has a techno/pop flavor to it. This song sounds like it came from the late nineties, but still has likability. The disc continues with the Adult Contemporary songs "The Mission" and "Let It All Come Out". The Newsboys did not let the fans of their worship music down. With songs like "In Wonder" and "I Am Free", they create music that praises God for everything in life. "Your Love Is Better Than Life" has frontman Peter Furler rapping the verses to an upbeat pop song. "Secret Kingdom" is candy for classic Newsboys fans. It showcases the band's ability to keep the fan smiling. The closer, "Gonna Be Alright", seems to take us back to the 60s & 70s. That may be because of the clips of Evie Tournquist's song, "Oh How He Loves You And Me" floating around in the song. Overall, Go goes well. It is a solid effort from Furler and Co.

Tracks: 11 Stars: 4 (of 5)
Genre: Pop

CD Review: Dying For A Heart

CD Review:
Dying For A Heart Krystal Meyers
Written by Blair S.
The alternative to Alternative princess Avril Lavigne is back with another batch of rockin' songs. The CD kicks off with "Collide", Dying For A Heart's inaugural single. The following track, "Live", sounds similar to "My Savior" from Krystal Meyers' self-titled debut. "The Beauty Of Grace" showcases Krystal's vocal ability. While Dying For A Heart has fun, energetic songs like "Love Is On The Run" and "Only You Make Me Happy", Krystal Meyers raises a serious issue toward teens, with her song, "The Situation". "The Situation" deals with peer pressure against purity, as well as offering a solution. "Stand And Scream" and "Together" are rock songs that would perform well on Christian Rock radio. "Together" was actually featured in a promotion for the NBC drama, Heroes. "Shake It Off" is an upbeat pop song that breaks up the rock theme. The album's closer, "Hallelujah", is a praise song, and is also the softest track on the project. Krystal Meyers' sophomore effort shows maturity. Whether it be in her writing or her performance, she has surpassed her previous status. I highly recommend this CD for any fan of Avril Lavigne and looking for something better.
Stars (of 5) 4 1/2 Tracks:10
Genre: Pop/Punk Rock

CD Review: Stellar Kart's "We Can't Stand Sitting Down"

CD Review:
We Can't Stand Sitting Down Stellar Kart
By Blair S.

Dove Award New Artist nominee, Stellar Kart, is back with a bang. Continuing in the vein of their previous offering, All Gas, No Brake, Stellar Kart gives us We Can't Stand Sitting Down. An album that bridges punk rock guitars with upbeat, hyper pop melodies. "Procrastinating" is a caffenated rock song. "Activate" is catchy and doing fairly well on the Christian rock charts. The album gives us a breather with the hit single, "Me And Jesus". The power ballad, "Me And Jesus", proves to us that Jesus is with us through every troubling circumstance and provides us with relationships to help as well. "Hold On" follows the strong rock ballad trend that "Me And Jesus" started. The fun, energetic tunes return with songs like "Finding Out", "Lose Control", and "Always Waiting". "Always Waiting" sounds very similar to "Spending Time" from Stellar Kart's debut. "Only Wanted" shows a slightly harder side to this band. We Can't Stand Sitting Down closes with worshipful ballad, "Angels In Chorus". Overall, this is a big plus for Stellar Kart. They have improved enough to have a number one CHR single (Me And Jesus). If you like peppy rock, you'll love this CD.

Stars: 4 (of 5) Genre:Punk/Pop
Tracks: 12 (or 14 {Special Edition from Family Christian Stores})

CD Review: Jessie Daniels

CD Review:
Jessie Daniels Jessie Daniels
Written by Blair S.
Jessie Daniels is the first Christian artist on the country music label, Midas Records. Her debut has spawned the upbeat CHR hit "The Noise", and the current single, "Everyday", is climbing the charts as we speak. Jessie Daniels' self-titled album follows efforts by Aly & AJ, Krystal Meyers, and Everlife. Having a rock-based feel, yet bringing some up-tempo pop vocals to the table. The singles, "The Noise" and "Everyday", show this side of this future superstar. While most of the songs are upbeat guitar-driven pop songs, Jessie gives us some pretty ballads. Such as "Hold Me Now" and "It's No Wonder". These songs have AC radio potential, as "Hold Me Now" is an Adult Contemporary single. If you prefer the rock stylings of Krystal Meyers, you will enjoy rock songs "Hello/Goodbye" and "Human Being". I also have to complement the lyrics of the songs. "Next To You" being the best. The song speaks about how God "Broke the rules of time, rearranged the universe, brought his world to ours, so we could next to him." "Everyday" is how God loves us, how he tries "everyday" to bring us closer to Him. The last track is a remix of "Hold Me Now". The song guest stars Tom Pellerin of Overflow. The remix is softer than the original version. Overall, a great CD, especially for fans of female guitar-pop.
Stars: 4 2/3 (of 5) Tracks:12
If You Like: Aly & AJ, Krystal Meyers

CD Review: Smile, It's The End Of The World-Hawk Nelson

CD Review:
Smile, It's The End Of The World Hawk Nelson
Review by Blair Sanders
Hawk Nelson is back and better than ever! If you love punk rock, you'll love Hawk Nelson's second project, Smile, It's The End Of The World. The CD kicks off with the strong "The One Thing I Have Left". This song has a great upbeat punk chorus. "The Show" & "Bring 'Em Out" are great party songs. Hawk Nelson performed "Bring "Em Out" on the movie, Yours, Mine, & Ours (The remake). Smile also contains the hit single, "Everything You Ever Wanted". "Everything You Ever Wanted" is a strong ballad with a rock chorus. This is the best song on this CD. "Something On My Mind" has an upbeat piano intro with guitars joining in. "Zero" is a ballad Hawk Nelson wrote about a friend who commited suicide. "Is Forever Enough" has rough guitaring with a pop chorus. "Head On Collision" is another upbeat pop song, but is one the better songs on Smile. "Hello" is a cheesy love song. Musically, if you liked Letters To The President, you'll love Smile, It's The End Of The World. However, the main flaw with this album is that it lacks strong christian lyrics. If you are looking for a punk rock CD with more Christian lyrics, I recommend Relient K's The Anatomy Of Tongue And Cheek, Eleventyseven's debut CD, or even Hawk Nelson's first CD. Even without strong Christian lyrics, Smile, It's The End Of The World is one of the best punk rock CDs ever.
Stars: 4 3/4 (of 5) Tracks: 14

Genre:Punk Rock

If you like: Relient K, Stellar Kart

CD Review: The Face Of Love

CD Review:
The Face Of Love Sanctus Real
By Blair S.
Sanctus Real's third offering shows some maturity in writing. Rockin' songs with hard-hitting lyrics. The lead single, "I'm Not Alright", is a rock song about brokeness. "We're Trying" is about natural human sinfulness. The song also has the best guitar intro on the album. "We're Trying" is a good upbeat rocker. "Possibilities", "Don't Give Up", "We're Trying", "I'm Not Alright", and "Where We Belong" are the better songs on the CD. A lot of the other songs are slow and worn down. Such as "Magnetic" and "Fly". If you like that type of thing, you'll like it, but give me either an upbeat song or a strong ballad. "Eloquent" & "Thank You are better, but are still not strong enough. The album closes with "Benjamin", a ballad written during a happy and sad time for the band. This CD is good, but after loving Fight The Tide, this CD needs a couple more upbeat songs like "Closer" & "Message".
Tracks: 11 Stars: 3 3/4 (of 5)
Genre: Rock