Artist: VOTA
Album: VOTA
Year: 2009
Label: INO Records
Website: http://votaband.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/votaband
Twitter: @votaband
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
Sounds Like: John Mayer, Switchfoot, Phil Wickham, Mat Kearney, Van Halen, U2, Queen, Switchfoot, Muse, Maroon 5, Sanctus Real, Tree63
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

For some, the word VOTA may sound somewhat unknown. I’ll give you a hint. They used to form a band called Casting Pearls, and now they decided to adopt a new sound and of course a new label. INO Records took care to accommodate these guys, while Nathan Dantzler (Tree63, Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Edison Glass, Subseven, Kids In The Way) was the delegate to produce the self-titled debut called VOTA. Pop/Rock is striking about each track with seductive electric guitars and influences from Foo Fighters, Switchfoot to Maroon 5, Sanctus Real, Hawk Nelson and even Newsboys. This new experience has delighted thousands of fans through the vibrant and versatile voice of lead singer Bryan Olesen and the awesome power the band comes to capturing on every song.

The first single “Hard To Believe” combines the band’s rock sound with elements of dance/electronic and synthesizers. “The more I think about what I really have in Christ, I become more bold and excited about life” says Bryan in this song of thanksgiving and joy for having the Lord in our hearts. Monstrous melodies and aggressive guitar riffs reminiscent of Sanctus Real, Tree63 on the melodic aspect and also Switchfoot or Foo Fighters on the music arrangements: “It’s so hard to believe / You’re here with me now / Make me feel so alive / I’ve got to let it out”. At first “Be Mine” has the appearance of a weak song, but the first verse breaks that thought with a rhythm infected by aggressive pop. But then it becomes more acoustic and atmospheric, with tons of musical dynamism. This song speaks of experiencing the true love between husband and wife: “How did I live life before you took over my heart / Nothing in life I want more to be in your arms”. The incredible “Love’s Taken Over” is infected by techno/pop melodies reminiscent of Tait and obviously dcTalk, adding some rock touches to declare total dependence to God’s love: ““I found a better life in your arms / I’m movin’ on with a brand new start / Nothing can stop what’s started in my heart”. The third single from the album “Honestly” is one of the best tracks on the album, and living proof of the immense vocal talents of Bryan in a flawless splendid performance. A piano ballad that resembles “Incomplete” by Backstreet Boys, and reminds us to be sincere, honest with each other to share the good news. The most touching moment and energetic is the bridge: “Let the light escape from these holes inside my soul / When I start to break, then grace begins to flow / Let the light escape from this wounded place inside my soul”. The crunchy guitars on “Not Finished” resemble Audio Adrenaline or U2. The guitar work is impeccable, stunning, while we can hear God’s voice saying: ““When the world’s crashing down / And time and luck have all run out / Well, come what may / You’re still gonna hear me say / I’m not finished with you”. Next, we find “I’ll Go” (second single) sounds like Sanctus Real, but with more pace-rhythmic rock sound. This song gives our service to God, our soul and heart, promising to go where He sends us: “When the world is in my hands / And I go on my own again / I know you’re still with me / When I feel your love is gone / No strength to carry on / I know you’ll never leave me”. The band also explores soulful/pop and dance/rock with “Give It To Me”, which probably sound like Maroon 5 and Franz Ferdinand. Aggressive tunes that ask God for a sign to know he stills with us in the midst of the problems: ““Give it to me / Give me a sign / Give me something real I can’t deny / Feelin’ asleep, buried alive / Bring me to life”. Then we ran into the passionate “Free To Fail”, fourth and current single from the band, sharing the message to submit our lives to God and have the confidence in knowing that He has given us life and freedom to fail, get up and live for Hi. Simple pop, but with an honest look at Christian life in the 21st century: “You are the one who’s given me more than I could repay / You lived youre life so I could live mine”. On the other hand “Save Ourselves” leans Coldplay and admits the impotence and futility of man without God: “Oh I see them now / The memories surround our hearts forever bound / No one could break our vow / Then the rain came pouring down and now”. The disturbing violins in the mysterious “Bye Bye” hover around dance/pop similar to Article One and (once again) Maroon 5, and says goodbye to that person or defect that prevents our heart to be happy: “Bye bye / My heart’s gone off on its own / Heartbreak / From love that always slips away / What brings a change of heart / Is my heart really mine / Does it beat just to take me over / Can it be satisfied”. Another highlight ballad is “In My Heart”, a sort of The Afters feeling, with violin moments dotted with worship lyrics: “In my heart I hear you sing / A sweet melody, your promise to me / Near or far I’m where you are / I know you’ll never let me go”. With a sequenced atmosphere, pianos, loops and features of Angels & Airwaves, “Everyday Is The First Day” talks about new beginnings through hope and grace of God: “I am hurting / I can’t breathe, help me / For heaven caught you in a way / Every day is the first day”. Furthermore, “Our Time” encourages us to take action to impact our world and its needs, be the hands and feet of Christ: “Whose hands a road to peace in war? / Whose ears leave hurting cries ignored? / Whose eyes will judge by what they see? / And whose heart cares for its own need?”. These last 2 are bonus tracks from the special edition of the album, adding also 3 Casting Pearls past successes.

This is an excellent debut for those who are looking to experience an intense and profound spiritual teaching immersed in unforgettable and powerful songs. “We encourage our people to consider how they can make a positive change in this world, either help out or simply live a life of character, integrity”, share the band. I must admit that it had not much expectation in reviewing this album, but now that feeling has made my heart explode. I declare myself as a VOTA fan.

Para algunos, la palabra VOTA les puede sonar algo desconocida. Les daré una pista. Ellos solían conformar una banda llamada Casting Pearls, y que ahora decidieron adoptar un nuevo sonido y por supuesto un nuevo sello discográfico. INO Records se encargó de alojar a estos muchachos, mientras que Nathan Dantzler (Tree63, Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Edison Glass, Subseven, Kids In The Way) fue el delegado en producir el autotitulado álbum VOTA. Pop/Rock que sorprende en cada track con seductoras guitarras eléctricas e influencias desde Foo Fighters, Switchfoot hasta Maroon 5, Sanctus Real, Hawk Nelson e incluso Newsboys. Esta nueva experiencia ya ha encantado a miles de seguidores, a través de la vibrante y versátil voz del vocalista Bryan Olesen y la impresionante energía que la banda llega a capturar en cada canción.

El primer sencillo “Hard To Believe” combina el sonido rock de la banda con elementos de dance/electro y sintetizadores. “Cuanto más pienso en lo que realmente tengo en Cristo, me vuelvo más audaz y emocionado con la vida”, nos comenta Bryan en esta canción de agradecimiento y alegría por tener al Señor en nuestro corazón. Melodías monstruosas y riffs de guitarras agresivos que recuerdan a Tree63 y Sanctus Real en el aspecto melódico y a Switchfoot y Foo Fighters en el musical/arreglos: “It’s so hard to believe / You’re here with me now / Make me feel so alive / I’ve got to let it out”. En un principio “Be Mine” tiene la apariencia de ser una canción débil, sin embargo la estrofa rompe ese pensamiento con un ritmo infectado de un pop agresivo. Pero luego se transforma en algo más acústico y atmosférico, con toneladas de dinamismo musical. Esta canción nos habla de experimentar el verdadero amor entre marido y mujer: “How did I live life before you took over my heart / Nothing in life I want more to be in your arms”. La increíble “Love’s Taken Over” se contagia de techno/pop y de melodías que recuerdan a Tait y obviamente a dcTalk, agregándole algunos toques rockeros que declaran total dependencia al amor de Dios: “I found a better life in your arms / I’m movin’ on with a brand new start / Nothing can stop what’s started in my heart”. El tercer sencillo del álbum “Honestly” es uno de los mejores tracks del álbum, y la prueba viviente del inmenso talento vocal de Bryan en una performance impecable y espléndida. Una balada piano que se asemeja a “Incomplete” de Backstreet Boys, y que nos recuerda ser sinceros, honestos unos con otros al compartir las buenas nuevas. El momento más conmovedor y enérgico es el puente: “Let the light escape from these holes inside my soul / When I start to break, then grace begins to flow / Let the light escape from this wounded place inside my soul”. Las crujientes guitarras en “Not Finished” se asemejan a Audio Adrenaline o U2. El trabajo del guitarrista es irreprochable, deslumbrante, mientras que podemos oír la voz de Dios diciéndonos: “When the world’s crashing down / And time and luck have all run out / Well, come what may / You’re still gonna hear me say / I’m not finished with you”. Seguidamente, nos encontramos con “I’ll Go” (segundo sencillo) que suena como Sanctus Real, pero con un ritmo más rockero y acompasado. Este tema le entrega nuestro servicio a Dios, nuestra alma y corazón, prometiéndole ir a dónde Él nos mande: “When the world is in my hands / And I go on my own again / I know you’re still with me / When I feel your love is gone / No strength to carry on / I know you’ll never leave me”. La banda también explora el soulful/pop y en el dance rock con “Give It To Me”, que probablemente te suene a Maroon 5 o Franz Ferdinand. Agresivas melodías que le piden a dios una señal para saber que sigue con nosotros en medio de los problemas: “Give it to me / Give me a sign / Give me something real I can’t deny / Feelin’ asleep, buried alive / Bring me to life”. A continuación, nos topamos con la apasionada “Free To Fail”, cuarto y actual sencillo de la banda, compartiéndonos el mensaje de someter nuestras vidas a Dios y tener la seguridad en saber que Él nos ha dado la vida y la libertad para fracasar, volvernos a levantar y vivir para Él. Pop simple, pero con una mirada honesta a la vida cristiana en el siglo 21: “You are the one who’s given me more than I could repay / You lived youre life so I could live mine”. Por otro lado “Save Ourselves” se inclina hacia Coldplay y admite la impotencia e inutilidad del hombre sin Dios: “Oh I see them now / The memories surround our hearts forever bound / No one could break our vow / Then the rain came pouring down and now”. Los inquietantes violines en la misteriosa “Bye Bye” oscilan alrededor de dance/pop similar al de Article One y (una vez más) de Maroon 5, y le dice adiós a aquella persona o vicio que impide que nuestro corazón sea feliz: “Bye bye / My heart’s gone off on its own / Heartbreak / From love that always slips away / What brings a change of heart / Is my heart really mine / Does it beat just to take me over / Can it be satisfied”. Otra balada sobresaliente es “In My Heart”, con una especia de sentimiento The Afters, con momentos de violines salpicado de letras de adoración: “In my heart I hear you sing / A sweet melody, your promise to me / Near or far I’m where you are / I know you’ll never let me go”. Con una atmósfera secuenciada, pianos, loops y rasgos de Angels & Airwaves, “Everyday Is The First Day” habla sobre nuevos comienzos a través de la esperanza y la gracia de Dios: “I am hurting / I can’t breathe, help me / For heaven caught you in a way / Every day is the first day”. Por otro lado, “Our Time” nos anima a tomar acciones en nuestro impacto con el mundo y sus necesidades, ser las manos y pies de Cristo: “Whose hands a road to peace in war? / Whose ears leave hurting cries ignored? / Whose eyes will judge by what they see? / And whose heart cares for its own need?”. Estos 2 últimos son bonus tracks de la edición especial del álbum, agregando además 3 éxitos pasados de Casting Pearls.

Este es un excelente debut para aquellos que buscan experimentar una intensa y profunda enseñanza espiritual inmersa en inolvidables y poderosas canciones. “Queremos animar a nuestros a considerar cómo pueden hacer un cambio positivo en este mundo, ya sea por echar una mano o simplemente vivir una vida de carácter, integridad” nos comparte la banda. Tengo que confesar que no tenía mucha expectativa al reseñar este disco, pero ahora este sentimiento ha hecho explotar mi corazón. Me declaro un fan de VOTA.