Plugged ®

5 Feb 2011

Abandon - Control

Artist: Abandon
Album: Control
Year: 2011
Label: EMI CMG/Forefront
Web: http://www.abandonrock.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/abandontx
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/abandon
Twitter: @abandonrock
Sounds Like: The Killers, Coldplay, Above The Golden State, Remedy Drive, The Afters, Waking Ashland, Sanctus Real, Seabird, Delirious?, Anberlin, Acceptance, Mutemath, U2, Switchfoot
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

This April 19th, humanity will witness a musical evolution, but above all a spiritual depth. Abandon has been characterized by adding unique elements to what is commonly called alternative rock/pop. Searchlights was about giving hope, an immediate rescue, being in the hands of Christ and do what he tells us. Controlis about losing control, asking God to take control of the situation. It’s about the beauty of not knowing (sometimes) when you will be rescued.

Control also adds fundamental ingredients such as the production of Chris Stevens (tobyMac, Carrie Underwood, Audio Adrenaline) alongside Paul Moak (Seabird, Third Day, Mat Kearney); in addition to the lyric intervention (“SOS” and “Push It Away”) of Aaron Gillespie (Underoath, The Almost) who is about to launch his solo debut.

From the first guitar riffs by Stevan Vela invading the atmosphere with “Feel It In Your Heart” (first single) to the infectious melodies that show a much more uninhibited Josh Engler (vocals). The message of the song tells us that real change happens in a person from the inside out. “There are thousands of voices, thousands of bands trying to sound louder than others, but that sound never affects their souls. It’s about being honest and havng the passion to live or die for what you believe in. It’s about not being part of the noise but tuning our hearts to heaven”, says the band. On the other side “Live It Out” opens with a question: “Is it me, or the walls are closing?”. The chorus (with a touch of The Killers and Coldplay) talks about the urgency of living according to what we speak, to choose to be part of the disease or be the cure for it. “Your Love Goes On” is evidently an AC and CHR radio favorite in. Solid acoustic guitars and pianos that are lightened with a sweet melody, clearly influenced by Tenth Avenue North and Rush Of Fools. The song speaks of a God who is always chasing his creation, even those who feel unworthy for committing many sins. “When we fall, we should run to Him, because it shows maturity as a Christian” believes Engler. The album continues with the pop/rock formula and this is how we come to “Let Go”, which resembles the sound of Waking Ashland. It tells us to rid ourselves of all those things that bind us to not advance as believers. One of my favorite songs is “New Years Day”, with an interesting piano opening that celebrates our freedom from sin: “Dark has turned to light and I will celebrate. All my wrongs made right, everything has changed. My sins have been erased and it feels like new years day”. Then, we find the shameless “Talk To Me”, painted with whistles, rhodes and guitars expressing a cry for God’s direction. Gillespie clearly left noted his influences on “Push It Away”, adding synths in a hymn that encourages believers to never be swayed by the pleasures of this world, no matter if we face ridicule or even persecution, as we noted in “Under Fire”. Another of my favorites is “Why Does It Take So Long”, which opened a series of slow songs, full of inspiration and questions that are answered in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “Known” conveys the message of Romans 8:1. There’s no condemnation. Finally, “Hero” epically closes the album, charting the work of Jesus on earth, his miracles, his teachings, his death and resurrection. He was, is and will be the biggest hero of the story.

I’m sure the perfect formula that Control has, lies in its sincerity and transparency. Production has been impeccable. Each arrangement is necessary, from the guitars (Justin Engler and Stevan Vela) to the aggressive rhythms of Bryan Fowler (bass) and Dave Vela (drums). “We’re always reevaluating success for ourselves”, sums up Josh. “We don’t think there are any limits, not in a prideful sense, but with the intention of serving the Creator and wanting Him to use us to impact the world around us”.With this album you can say that Abandon is more than a Christian band that sounds like The Killers.

Este 19 de abril, la humanidad será testigo de una evolución musical, pero sobre todo de una profundidad espiritual. Abandon se ha caracterizado por agregar elementos únicos a lo que comúnmente llamamos rock/pop alternativo. Searchlights se trató de dar esperanza, de un rescate inmediato, de estar en las manos de Cristo y hacer lo que él nos diga. Control se trata de perder el control, de pedirle a Dios que tome el control de la situación. Se trata de la belleza de a veces no saber cuándo serás rescatado.

Control, también suma ingredientes fundamentales como la producción de Chris Stevens (tobyMac, Carrie Underwood, Audio Adrenaline) junto a Paul Moak (Seabird, Third Day, Mat Kearney), además de la intervención lírica (“S.O.S.” y “Push It Away”) de Aaron Gillespie(Underoath, The Almost) quién está próximo a lanzar su debut como solista.

Desde los primeros riffs de guitarra a cargo Stevan Vela invadiendo la atmósfera con “Feel It In Your Heart” (primer sencillo) hasta las contagiosas melodías que muestran a un Josh Engler (vocalista) mucho más desinhibido. El mensaje de la canción nos dice que el cambio real en una persona ocurre de adentro hacia afuera. “Hay miles de voces, miles de bandas que intentan sonar más fuerte que las otras, pero que nunca afectan sus almas. Se trata de ser honesto y tener la pasión para vivir o morir por lo que crees. Se trata de no ser parte  del ruido sino de afinar nuestros corazones con el cielo”, nos dice la banda. Por otro lado “Live It Out” se apertura con una interrogante: “¿soy yo, o las paredes se están cerrando?”. El coro (con pinceladas de The Killers y Coldplay) nos habla de la urgencia de vivir conforme a lo que hablamos, de elegir ser parte de la enfermedad o ser la cura para ella. “Your Love Goes On” será evidentemente una de las preferidas en las radios AC y CHR. Guitarras acústicas y sólidos pianos que se aligeran con una dulce melodía, claramente influenciada por Tenth Avenue North y Rush Of Fools. La canción nos habla de un Dios que busca constantemente a su creación, incluso a aquellos que se siente indignos por haber cometidos tantos pecados. “Cuando caemos, deberíamos correr hacia Él, ya que eso muestra madurez como cristiano” considera Engler. El álbum continúa con la fórmula pop/rock y es así que nos topamos con “Let Go”, que se asemeja al sonido de Waking Ashland. Nos habla de despojarnos de todas aquellas cosas que nos atan a no avanzar como creyentes. Una de mis canciones preferidas es “New Years Day”, con una apertura interesante de piano que celebra nuestra libertad del pecado: “Dark has turned to light and I will celebrate. All my wrongs made right, everything has changed. My sins have been erased and it feels like new years day”. Por ahí encontramos a la desvergonzada “Talk To Me”, pintada con silbidos, rhodes y guitarras, expresan un clamor por la dirección de Dios. Gillespie claramente deja notar sus influencias en “Push It Away”, agregando sintetizadores en un himno que anima a los creyentes a nunca ser convencidos por los placeres de este mundo, no importa si enfrentamos el ridículo o incluso persecución, como podemos notar en “Under Fire”. Otra de mis preferidas es “Why Does It Take So Long”, que apertura una serie de canciones lentas, llenas de inspiración e interrogantes, que encuentran respuesta en el sacrificio de Jesús en la cruz. “Known” transmite el mensaje de Romanos 8:1. No hay condenación. Finalmente, “Hero” cierra de manera épica el álbum, graficando la obra de Jesús en la tierra, sus milagros, sus enseñanzas, su muerte y resurrección. Él fue, es y será el mayor héroe de la historia.

Estoy seguro que la fórmula perfecta que Control posee, radica en su sinceridad, en su transparencia. La producción ha quedado impecable. Cada arreglo es preciso, desde las guitarras (Stevan Vela y Justin Engler) hasta el agresivo ritmo de Bryan Fowler (bajo) y Dave Vela (batería). “Siempre estamos evaluando el éxito en nosotros”, agrega Josh. “No creo que haya límites, no en un sentido orgulloso, sino con la intención de servir al creador y querer que Él nos use para impactar el mundo que nos rodea”. Con este álbum podrás decir que Abandon es más que una banda cristiana que suena como The Killers.

28 Dec 2009

Clemency - Vapors

Artist: Clemency
Album: Vapors
Year: 2008
Label: Clemency
Website: http://www.myspace.com/clemencymusic
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - CD Baby

The songs they write are a reflection of hope, love and the joy we seek, mixed with indie rock, creative melodies and unique musical sounds, interesting and accessible. Clemency consists of Jason Watkins (vocals/guitar), Paul Watkins (bass/bg’s), Whit Stiles (guitars), Jake Goss (drums) and Joe Causey (keyboards and guitars), conquering us with his sophomore album, “Vapors” full of influences from Nada Surf, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wallflowers, Switchfoot, etc. Produced by Brent Milligan (The Elms, tobyMac, Backstreet Boys and Michael W. Smith).

There are more innovative starting than with “Vital Signs”, a slow but steady beat, expressing the feeling we have when we receive Jesus in our lives: “That darkness breaks / I’m wide awake / I’m standing on my feet / The hand that rests on my chest / Can feel my heart beat / Oxygen fills my lungs / I am breathing deep an it’s divine to have vital signs”. Next, “Settled For” captivates with an introduction and a distant chorus that choose to use claps to say: “With every breath I take in / The more I am quite sure / Of the reason I am thinking / There is something more than what we’ve settled for” which reveals that there is more in this life than we expect and there is a purpose far greater than imagined. “Inside” is one of the most outstanding tracks on the tape, and not only has an amazing guitar and bass riff, but the message is as impulsive as his musicality: “You are mine / Don’t you dare let go”. The acoustic sound is present with “What’s To Be Afraid Of”, inspired by Romans 8:38-39, where God reveals us that nothing and nobody can separate us from His love. The first single is “Control”, beginning with an acoustic guitar, a contagious pop/rock and a lyric that surrenders control of our lives to God: “The whole world’s getting heavy to hold / So I’m letting go / The center of the universe is getting old / So I’m giving up control”. Starting with explosive guitars, “Underneath My Skin” reflects the internal change that we have when the love of God permeates our hearts: “You’re underneath my skin / You’re changing who I’ve been / Don’t stop now”. The acoustic folk arrive with “Looking For Love”, reminding us of The Beatles, through the gentle arpeggios, the sweet melodic violins and accordions. “Vapors” talks about the end times and that we are made for eternity, as James 4:14 tells us. Pianos and a complex drum beat brings “Here Comes The King”, which continues the legacy of the previous track but now adding praise to God and strong guitar in a dark and mysterious atmosphere. Finally, “New Beginnings” starts with synth-like “Spaceman” from The Killers, and concludes with a positive message of new beginnings: “On this mess that we’re in / All these stains, all this without / This is not the end / Now we can begin again / His love can help us see that change starts from within / Things do not have to be the way that they have been”.

Christ is the reason why these boys make music, and behind the intelligent lyrics, rhythm, melodies and rock, Clemency have the desire to communicate something more profound and meaningful than any song can express: Good News.

Las canciones que escriben son una reflexión de la esperanza, el amor y el gozo que buscamos, mezclado con indie rock, melodías creativas y sonidos musicales únicos, interesantes y accesibles. Clemency está formado por Jason Watkins (vocalista y guitarras), Paul Watkins (bajo y voces), Whit Stiles (guitarras), Jake Goss (batería) y Joe Causey (teclados y guitarras); conquistándonos con su segundo álbum “Vapors” repleto de influencias cómo Nada Surf, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wallflowers, Switchfoot, etc. Producido por Brent Milligan (The Elms, tobyMac, Backstreet Boys y Michael W. Smith).

No hay manera más innovadora que empezar con “Vital Signs”, un beat pausado pero seguro, expresando el sentimiento que tenemos cuando recibimos a Jesús en nuestras vidas: “That darkness breaks / I’m wide awake / I’m standing on my feet / The hand that rests on my chest / Can feel my heart beat / Oxygen fills my lungs / I am breathing deep an it’s divine to have vital signs”. Seguidamente, “Settled For” nos cautiva con una distante introducción y un coro que opta por utilizar palmas al decir: “With every breath I take in / The more I am quite sure / Of the reason I am thinking / There is something more than what we’ve settled for” que nos revela que hay mucho más en esta vida de lo que hemos esperamos y que hay un propósito mucho más grande del que imaginamos. “Inside” es una de los tracks más destacados en la grabación, y no solo tiene un sorprendente riff de guitarras y bajos, sino que el mensaje es tan impulsador como su musicalidad: “You are mine / Don’t you dare let go”. El sonido acústico se hace presente con “What’s To Be Afraid Of”, inspirado en Romanos 8:38-39, en dónde Dios nos revela que nada ni nadie podrá separarnos de Su amor. El primer sencillo del álbum es “Control”, empezando con una guitarra acústica, un pop/rock contagioso y una letra que le entrega el control de nuestras vidas a Dios: “The whole world’s getting heavy to hold / So I’m letting go / The center of the universo is getting old / So I’m giving up control”. Empezando con explosivas guitarras, “Underneath My Skin” refleja el cambio interior que tenemos cuando el amor de Dios se impregna en nuestro corazón: “You’re underneath my skin / You’re changing who I’ve been / Don’t stop now”. El folk acústico llega con “Looking For Love”, recordándonos a The Beatles, a través de los dóciles arpegios, los apacibles acordeones y los melodiosos violines. “Vapors” habla sobre el final de los tiempos y que hemos sido hechos para la eternidad, tal y como Santiago 4:14 nos dice. Pianos y un complejo beat en la batería nos trae “Here Comes The King”, que continúa con el legado del track anterior pero ahora agregándole alabanzas a Dios y pujantes guitarras en una atmósfera sombría y misteriosa. Finalmente, “New Beginnings” se inicia con sintetizadores similares a los de “Spaceman” de The Killers, y concluye con un mensaje positivo de nuevos comienzos: “On this mess that we’re in / All these stains, all this sin / This is not the end / Now we can begin again / His love can help us see that change starts from within / Things don’t have to be the way that they have been”.

Cristo representa la razón por la que estos muchachos hacen música; y detrás de las letras inteligentes, el ritmo, las melodías y el rock de Clemency, se encuentra el deseo de comunicar algo mucho más profundo y significativo que cualquier canción puede expresar: Buenas Noticias.

Israel Risco
Rating-Calificación: 3/5 ♥♥♥