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ABANDON After signing with ForeFront Records in 2007, Texas-based Abandon released their debut album two years later to fairly solid critical acclaim. Longtime fans of the band were a little disappointed however, as the album consisted mainly of songs taken from their independent days. Titled Control, the disc runs for over 46 minutes in length and features 12 new tracks. Right from the beginning the band’s slick pop-rock meets alternative soundtrack kicks into high gear with “Feel It In Your Heart,” which possesses a Maroon 5 inspired keyboard riff. The album continues to maintain an anthemic and upbeat nature, while also getting a little funky (“Help,” “Talk To Me”) and placing an emphasis on the beat on tracks such as “Live It Out Loud.” Of course when the guitars aren’t soaring you can also find a ballad or two, such as the acoustic guitar driven tune “Your Love Goes On.”
BUILDING 429 This Nashville-based rock group is one of Christian music’s hardest working bands, tirelessly playing 150 live shows a year and developing their own touring brands, “Winter Blast” and “Summer Fest.” Their fifth studio album again captures the sincerity and writing chops of Coldplay, injecting a slight neo-grunge edge. Props go to frontman Jason Roy (lead singer, guitarist, keyboardist), who wrote or co-wrote nine of the 10 tracks and has one of the genre’s most engaging voices. Sweeping anthem “Where I Belong” declares, “All I know is I’m not home yet/ This is not where I belong;” thick with lush sound, this one is stadium-ready. Equally encouraging, rocker “Love Has Been Spoken” reminds us, “We’re fearfully and wonderfully made/ Now you and I, we’re not a mistake.” If hook-rich pop with driving guitars and soaring vocals is your thing, you will want to Listen to the Sound..
FM STATIC When Trevor McNevan and Steve Augustine of Thousand Foot Krutch started a side project named FM Static in 2003, neither of them could have known the longevity they would have. With nearly eight years and three albums under their belt, the duo has returned again with FM Static’s fourth disc. Titled My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go!, the 10 track album sees the return of the carefree FM Static of the group’s first two releases. These pop-punk anthems are designed for summertime driving with the windows down and the music cranked up. Though most of the tracks are upbeat, McNevan fluctuates from aggressive to tender singing. Songs such as the title track and “(Hey) I Want It” find some hip-hop influences thanks to rapping, meanwhile “Lost In You” introduces a slight electronic vibe. There is also a tender moment or two due to acoustic guitars and a piano-driven ballad (“Inside Out”). All in all, this album is a welcomed return to the fun and poppy side of music. Though they aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel, it is an excellent escape that fans will enjoy. .
JOHN WALLER If you think you don’t know John Waller, think again. His “While I’m Waiting,” from the movie Fireproof, has received 2.5 million plays on MySpace. Third album As For Me And My House picks right up where While I’m Waiting left off, continuing to boldly proclaim Scripture in song. The title track highlights the album’s theme of declaring allegiance to God. The music video version of “As For Me And My House” has already started to go viral, with more than 20,000 views on YouTube within a few weeks of its release. I most enjoyed some of the more nuanced tracks: the string-infused “Someone Else’s Story” and “The Marriage Prayer,” a duet beautifully delivered by Waller and wife Josee. Fans of Bruce Hornsby will enjoy the guitar-driven “The Jesus I Need” and “Because God Is Good,” co-written with Third Day’s Mac Powell, and the prayerful “Bless Us And Keep Us” closes the project well.
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