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4 Mar 2010

Me In Motion - Me In Motion

Artist: Me In Motion
Album: Me In Motion
Year: 2010
Label: Centricity Music
Website: http://meinmotion.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/meinmotion
Twitter: @meinmotionband
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Store
Sounds Like: Oasis, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Jet, The Killers, The Bravery, The Beatles, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, Hawk Nelson, Stellar Kart, Delirious?, Newsboys, Seven Places, Superchick
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

Centricity Music is undergoing a musical revolution with a pair of new additions in their roster. The first is Sixteen Cities (we will post a review of them very soon), and second, but not least, Me In Motion. Formed by Seth Mosley (lead vocals, guitars), Tim Wilson (bass, vocals) and Brian Dexter (drums, vocals) deliver their self-titled debut album Me In Motion, which through its pop rock, touches different angles of life with a great message of salvation. Seth Mosley is a total prodigy, as well as having produced his own album with Ian Eskelin, is participating in the production and composition of the new album by Newsboys. With multiple influences from Oasis, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Jet, The Killers, The Bravery, The Beatles, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, and more. In other words, what we can expect from this album is simply extraordinary.

“Losers” opens the album with powerful guitars, aggressive melodies in a song dedicated to all those who ever felt rejected, based on Mark 25:35-36. Many times people see us as outsiders by the fact of following Christ, and this track encourages us to look through the eyes of mercy and compassion, love those who suffer rejection as Jesus did: “Someone has to be the victim / Someone’s got to eat alone / And maybe, that’s a four-eyed Jesus coming from a broken home / Go on and throw your stones”. With strong influences from Delirious? and Newsboys, “The God I Know” encourages us to break the fear and conformity to show our faith: “There is one thing i know for sure / I can’t let fear hide my faith anymore / That’s not the God I know”. With an introduction based on raging guitars that later become optimistic, “Gotta Be Something” is intended not to fall into today’s culture, refuses to be satisfied with what this life gives us. It sounds like something between Superchick and Children 18:3. The album slows down with “Seek Justice Love Mercy”, melodically resembles Hawk Nelson or Stellar Kart. It encourages us to open our eyes and see the suffering of the world, taking action to give them grace and compassion: “Who’s gonna set the captives free / Who’s gonna love the refugee? / Our God is calling us to seek justice and mercy / Seek justice, love mercy”. The contagious and unexpected “Leaving Here Someday” hurry up with rock’n’roll which is similar to Run Kid Run. It shares the message of valuing things that really matter in life: “I’ll be gone before you know it, Darling / This don’t feel like home but I’ll be leaving here someday / Nothing but love is worth the trouble / Nothing else will last / I gotta give it all away / ‘Cause I’ll be leaving here someday”. Then we find “You Never Fail Me”, a fusion of Nirvana and Audio Adrenaline, with delusions and crunchy guitar riffs, melodies impulses that highlight the importance of trusting God, because He will never fail us. The captivating “Back To You” is painted with Coldplay and Seventh Day Slumber features, a ballad that plotted us the story of the prodigal son: “I’m coming home to / Arms open wide / I’ve seen the light / And I wanna get back to you / Running back to you”. The sweeping “Welcome To Your Life” fascinates us with interesting arrangements, and similarities to The Elms and Hawk Nelson, reflecting the struggle between accepting the power of Christ and say goodbye to the ways of the world: “Say goodbye to the lies in the shadows / Let it go and say hello to the / New you stepping out for the very first time / Welcome to your life”. With influences from Stellar Kart, the rollercoaster “Here In The Middle” talks about the reality of life with God while we are here on earth, adding dynamic pianos and organs that increase the potential of the song. “You Move Me” closes the album effectively, and we hear Mosley shines vocally through acoustic guitars, while the lyric speaks about the inspiration that God gives us.

“I’m trying to write songs that will inspire people to ‘live’ in a way they never have before, to realize that loving everyone, regardless of circumstance, is what it’s really all about. Doing simple things like helping their neighbors, or sitting by a lonely kid at the lunch table at school, or giving someone an open ear. It’s often those little things that let people around us know how much they’re really loved”, shares Seth Mosley. Me In Motion is now ready to receive the success that this debut awaits them, through splendid and unforgettable songs and a powerful ability to succeed on the radio, but mostly penetrate the hearts of his listeners with the love of God.

Centricity Music está experimentando una revolución musical con un par de nuevos ingresos a su lista. El primero es Sixteen Cities, de quién más adelante reseñaremos, y en segundo lugar, pero no de menos importancia, Me In Motion. Conformado por Seth Mosley (vocalista, guitarras), Tim Wilson (bajo, voces) y Brian Dexter (batería, voces) nos presentan su álbum debut autotitulado Me In Motion, que a través de su pop rock toca diversos ángulos de la vida con un gran mensaje de salvación. Seth Mosley es un todo un prodigio, ya que además de haber producido su propio álbum junto a Ian Eskelin, está participando en la producción y composición del nuevo álbum de Newsboys. Con múltiples influencias de Oasis, Foo Fighters, Weezer, JET, The Killers, The Bravery, The Beatles, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, y más. En otras palabras lo que podemos esperar de este álbum, es simplemente algo extraordinario.

“Losers” abre el disco con potentes guitarras, agresivas melodías en un himno dedicado a todos aquellos que alguna vez se sintieron rechazados; inspirado en Marcos 25:35-36. Muchas veces la gente nos verá como extraños por el hecho de seguir a Cristo, y este track nos anima a mirar a través de los ojos de misericordia y compasión, amar a aquellos que sufren rechazo tal y como Jesús lo hizo: “Someone has to be the victim / Someone’s got to eat alone / And maybe, that’s a four-eyed Jesus coming from a broken home / Go on and throw your stones”. Con fuertes influencias de Delirious? y Newsboys, “The God I Know” nos anima a romper el temor y la conformidad para mostrar nuestra fe: “There is one thing i know for sure / I can’t let fear hide my faith anymore / That’s not the God I know”. Con una introducción basada en furiosas guitarras que luego se vuelven optimistas, “Gotta Be Something” pretende no caer en la cultura de hoy, se niega a estar satisfecho con lo que esta vida nos da. Suena como algo entre Superchick y Children 18:3. El álbum se desacelera con “Seek Justice Love Mercy”, que melódicamente se asemeja a Hawk Nelson o Stellar Kart. Nos anima a abrir nuestros ojos y ver el sufrimiento del mundo tomando acciones para regalarles gracia y compasión: “Who’s gonna set the captives free / Who’s gonna love the refugee? / Our God is calling us to seek justice and mercy / Seek justice, love mercy”. La contagiosa e inesperada “Leaving Here Someday” se apresura con rock’n’roll que se asimila a Run Kid Run. Nos comparte el mensaje de valorar las cosas que realmente importan en la vida: “I’ll be gone before you know it, Darling / This don’t feel like home but I’ll be leaving here someday / Nothing but love is worth the trouble / Nothing else will last / I gotta give it all away / ‘Cause I’ll be leaving here someday”. Seguidamente nos encontramos a “You Never Fail Me”, en una fusión entre Nirvana y Audio Adrenaline, con delirantes y crujientes riffs de guitarras, melodías impulsadoras que nos recuerdan la importancia de confiar en Dios, porque Él nunca nos va a fallar. La cautivadora “Back To You” se pinta con rasgos de Coldplay y Seventh Day Slumber, en una balada que nos grafica la historia del hijo pródigo: “I’m coming home to / Arms open wide / I’ve seen the light / And I wanna get back to you / Running back to you”. La arrasadora “Welcome To Your Life” nos fascina con interesantes arreglos, y semejanzas a The Elms y Hawk Nelson, reflejando la lucha entre aceptar el poder de Cristo y decir adiós a las sendas del mundo: “Say goodbye to the lies in the shadows / Let it go and say hello to the / New you stepping out for the very first time / Welcome to your life”. Con influencias de Stellar Kart, la rollercoaster “Here In The Middle” habla sobre la realidad de la vida con Dios mientras estamos aquí en la tierra, agregando dinámicos pianos y órganos que incrementan el potencial de la canción. “You Move Me” cierra el álbum de manera eficaz, y podemos oír a Mosley brillando vocalmente a través de las guitarras acústicas, mientras que la letra habla de la inspiración que Dios nos da.

“Estoy intentando escribir canciones que inspiren a la gente a vivir en una forma que nunca han experimentado, para que se den cuenta de que amar a todos, a pesar de las circunstancias, es de lo que se trata la vida. Hacer cosas simples, como ayudar a tus vecinos, o sentarse a almorzar junto a un solitario niño en la escuela, o prestar atención y escuchar a alguien. A menudo esas pequeñas cosas hacen que la gente sepa cuánto los amamos”, nos comparte Seth Mosley. Ahora Me In Motion está listo para recibir el éxito que este debut les depara, a través de espléndidas e inolvidables canciones de gran alcance y capacidad para triunfar en las radios, pero sobre todo penetrar en los corazones de sus oyentes con el amor de Dios.

1 Mar 2010

Francesca Battistelli - My Paper Heart

Artist: Francesca Battistelli
Album: My Paper Heart
Year: 2008
Label: Fervent Records/Word Records
Website: http://www.francescamusic.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/francescabattistelli
Twitter: @francesca_music
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
Sounds Like: Sara Bareilles, Kelly Clarkson, Rachael Yamagata, Bethany Dillon, Charlotte Martin, Ayiesha Woods, Joy Williams, Sara Groves, Nichole Nordeman
Rating: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

Francesca Battistelli is not part of the pile. She is determined to make a difference with their debut album “My Paper Heart”, a different approach that uses Pop, Jazz, Rock, R&B and even some funk and gospel sounds as ingredients. She is obviously passionate about the composition, and this has led her to receive her first Nominations on Grammy Awards 2009 as Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for “I’m Letting Go”. The album was produced by the brilliant Ian Eskelin (Remedy Drive, Stellar Kart, Starfield, Avalon) and shows us the ups and downs of the life of 23 years’ girl, her faith and emotions to find a whole new world with dazed heart.

“Free To Be Me” (second single) immediately makes Francesca’s voice stand out from the guitars, pianos, bass and Hammond organ that set the track. Sounds like Sarah Kelly and Amy Grant in a motivational message that reminds us that everyone makes mistakes, nobody is perfect and that God loves us as we are: “Sometimes I believe that I can do anything / Yet other times I think I’ve got nothing good to bring / But You look at my heart and You tell me / That I’ve got all You seek / And it’s easy to believe / Even though”. Ranked as one of the best songs in Christian music history, the first single “I’m Letting Go” tells us about leaving the past behind and start a new journey with the Lord. Captivates us with an atmosphere with jazz piano arrangements and energetic pop/rock that resemble “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles. The impulsive “Unpredictable” brings the essence of Nichole Nordeman with the incredible purpose of evaluating our identity as Christians: “When I know that I know / What You have down the road / When I’m sure that/ I’ve figured You out / Help me see that I’m small / That I can’t know it all / ‘Cause You’re so unpredictable”. The titletrack has a kind of exotic Jazz/Pop sound based on rhythmic piano that draw us our heart is too delicate and may be stepped on and torn apart in just a few seconds, based on Proverbs 3:3 and the fragility of the human heart:  “My paper heart is Yours now / I have landed in Your hands / Come so far to find out / My life will never be the same / Since you wrote Your name / On my paper heart”. The fourth and latest single “Beautiful, Beautiful” enhances Francesca’s soft and hoarse voice, a wonderful interpretation that somehow resembles Evanescence/Amy Lee. It’s about our quest for hope and encouragement, and that God knows our pain and heals us creating something new, beautiful, in his own image: “Like sunlight burning at midnight / Making my life something so beautiful, beautiful / Mercy reaching to save me / All that I need / You are so beautiful, beautiful”. Then, breaking the mold of the album, “Blue Sky” catch us with organs and rhodes in a charming R&B/Soul/Jazz with Ayiesha Woods & Newworldson Gospel features demonstrating the wide vocal range and versatility that this girl possesses: “When the rain is falling / And there’s no silver lining / And you just can’t seem to find the light / When you need a reason / To help you keep believing / Let my love be your blue sky”. Then, “Forever Love” draws on its implementation and setting ambitious, as orchestrated hymn which plunges us into a romantic composition which declares God’s love forever. Soft piano with an intimate and personal lyric that could easily be sung in a Sunday worship service: “Nothing in this world could ever separate us / I will love You more than anyone on earth / Nothing I desire could ever satisfy me the way that You do”. The next track “Someday Soon” is like the pop Kelly Clarkson offers us, but beats harder in a sincere expression of need and dependence on God: “Yeah I’ll be telling you I love you / On a picture perfect day / And those words inside my head / They sound like angels singing praise / It’s what I was made to say”. The piano at the end of the track deliver a particular magic. Francesca becomes more Adult Contemporary or Casting Crowns with “Behind The Scenes” that tells the truth about our weaknesses, reminding us that all we are equal. No one is perfect, but our strength to overcome our unity comes from each other: “Things aren’t always what they seem / You’re only seeing part of me / There’s more than you could ever know / Behind the scenes / I’m incomplete and I’m undone / But I suppose like everyone / There’s so much more that’s going on  / Behind the scenes”. Similar melodies to Sara Groves and Bethany Dillon. The third single from the album “It’s Your Life” which reminds us that people’s life is about making decisions. Pop/Rock portraying the struggle between good and evil in the human heart, with fresh lyrics that will leave you enthralled: “To live the way that you believe / This is your opportunity / To let your life be one that lights the way”. Finally, “In Between Time” closes the album with a ballad that again takes up the promise of the return of Christ to the world. It is a picture of life and death of Jesus into music that inspires us to spread the gospel and to bless our church: “That brings me to my knees / Knowing you came for me / And all that I can’t be / I’m amazed, so amazed / And I thank You for the time in between”.

This is one of those albums that you will never forget. A powerful voice, a personal message and a elegant piano/pop sound sample that can turn into different genres and ensure the bright future of Francesca Battistelli. She wants people to know that God loves them as they are, and encourages them to leave the world and have a wonderful adventure making a difference for Him. “My Paper Heart” is a dynamic, agile, intelligent, cool and interesting debut that deserves more than a billion applauses.

Francesca Battistelli no es parte del montón. Ella está decidida a hacer la diferencia con su álbum debut “My Paper Heart”, una propuesta diferente que usa como ingredientes el Pop, Jazz, Rock, R&B e incluso algo de Funk y Gospel. Ella está evidentemente apasionada en la composición, y esto le ha llevado a recibir sus primeras nominaciones a los Grammy Awards 2009 como Vocalista femenina del año, Nueva artista del año, Canción del año y Canción Pop/Contemporánea del año por “I’m Letting Go”. El álbum fue producido por el genial Ian Eskelin (Remedy Drive, Stellar Kart, Starfield, Avalon) y nos muestra los altibajos de la vida de una muchacha de tan solo 23 años, su fe y emociones al encontrarse con un mundo totalmente nuevo y un corazón deslumbrado.

“Free To Be Me” (segundo sencillo) inmediatamente hace que la voz de Francesca destaque sobre las guitarras, los pianos, el bajo y el órgano Hammond que ambientan el track. Suena como Sarah Kelly y Amy Grant en un mensaje motivador que nos recuerda que todo el mundo comete errores, nadie es perfecto y que Dios nos ama tal cual somos: “Sometimes I believe that I can do anything / Yet other times I think I’ve got nothing good to bring / But You look at my heart and You tell me / That I’ve got all You seek / And it’s easy to believe / Even though”. Catalogada como una de las mejores canciones en la historia de la música cristiana, el primer sencillo “I’m Letting Go” nos habla sobre dejar atrás el pasado y emprender un nuevo camino con el Señor. Nos cautiva con una atmósfera con piano de Jazz y enérgicos arreglos Pop/Rock que se asemejan a “Love Song” de Sara Bareilles. La impulsadora “Unpredictable” nos trae la esencia de Nichole Nordeman con el increíble propósito de valorar nuestra identidad como cristianos: “When I know that I know / What You have down the road / When I’m sure that/ I’ve figured You out / Help me see that I’m small / That I can’t know it all / ‘Cause You’re so unpredictable”. El titletrack tiene una especie de exótico sonido Jazz/Pop basado en acompasados pianos que nos dibujan la metáfora que nuestro corazón es demasiado delicado y puede ser pisado y desgarrado en segundos, inspirado en Proverbios 3:3 y en la fragilidad del corazón humano: “My paper heart is Yours now / I have landed in Your hands / Come so far to find out / My life will never be the same / Since you wrote Your name / On my paper heart”. El cuarto y más reciente sencillo “Beautiful, Beautiful” realza la ronca y suave voz de Francesca, en una interpretación maravillosa que de algún modo se asemeja a Evanescence/Amy Lee. Se trata acerca de nuestra búsqueda de esperanza y aliento, y que Dios conoce nuestro dolor y nos sana creando algo nuevo, hermoso, a su propia imagen: “Like sunlight burning at midnight / Making my life something so beautiful, beautiful / Mercy reaching to save me / All that I need / You are so beautiful, beautiful”. Seguidamente, rompiendo el molde del álbum, “Blue Sky” nos hechiza con órganos y rhodes en un encantador R&B/Soul/Jazz con rasgos Gospel de Newworldson y Ayiesha Woods que demuestran el amplio rango vocal y la versatilidad que esta muchacha posee: “When the rain is falling / And there’s no silver lining / And you just can’t seem to find the light / When you need a reason / To help you keep believing / Let my love be your blue sky”. Luego, “Forever Love” atrae por su instrumentación y ambientación ambiciosa, como himno orquestado que nos sumerge en una romántica composición donde se declara estar enamorado de Dios eternamente. Suaves pianos con una lírica íntima y personal que fácilmente podrían ser cantados en un culto de domingo: “Nothing in this world could ever separate us / I will love You more than anyone on earth / Nothing I desire could ever satisfy me the way that You do”. El siguiente track “Someday Soon” se asemeja al pop que Kelly Clarkson nos ofrece, pero palpita con más fuerza en una sincera expresión de necesidad y dependencia de Dios: “Yeah I’ll be telling you I love you / On a picture perfect day / And those words inside my head / They sound like angels singing praise / It’s what I was made to say”. Los pianos al final de la canción le entregan una magia particular. Francesca se vuelve más Adulto Contemporáneo o Casting Crowns con “Behind The Scenes” que dice la verdad acerca de nuestras debilidades, recordándonos que todos somos iguales. No hay nadie perfecto, pero nuestra fuerza para vencer viene de nuestra unidad el uno del otro: “Things aren’t always what they seem / You’re only seeing part of me / There’s more than you could ever know / Behind the scenes / I’m incomplete and I’m undone / But I suppose like everyone / There’s so much more that’s going on  / Behind the scenes”. Similares melodías a Sara Groves o Bethany Dillon. El tercer sencillo del álbum “It’s Your Life” que nos recuerda que la vida de la gente consiste en tomar decisiones. Pop/Rock que retrata la lucha entre el bien y el mal en el corazón del hombre, con frescas líricas que te dejarán cautivado: “To live the way that you believe / This is your opportunity / To let your life be one that lights the way”. Finalmente “Time In Between” cierra el disco con una balada que nuevamente retoma la promesa del retorno de Cristo al mundo. Es una fotografía de la vida y muerte de Jesús hecha música que nos anima esparcir el evangelio y bendecir a nuestra iglesia: “That brings me to my knees / Knowing you came for me / And all that I can’t be / I’m amazed, so amazed / And I thank You for the time in between”.


Este es uno de esos álbumes que nunca podrás olvidar. Una poderosa voz, un mensaje personal y una elegante muestra de sonido Piano/Pop que puede transformarse en diversos géneros y aseguran el futuro brillante de Francesca Battistelli. Ella quiere que la gente sepa que Dios los ama tal y como son, y les anima a salir del mundo y tener una maravillosa aventura haciendo la diferencia por Él. “My Paper Heart” es un disco dinámico, ágil, inteligente, fresco e interesante debut que merece más de un billón de aplausos.

24 Feb 2010

Starfield - The Saving One

Artist: Starfield
Album: The Saving One
Year: 2010
Label: Sparrow Records/EMI CMG
Website: http://www.starfieldonline.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/starfield
Twitter: @starfieldband
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
Sounds Like: Hillsong United, Delirious?, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

Whenever Starfield launched an album, my expectation increases in larger scales. Whether his brilliant musical arrangements, his creative modern worship style, the harmonies or the passionate and heartfelt lyrics in each song. There’s always reason to amaze me with their work, and what a good gift for us summer with this amazing release. “The Saving One” was produced by the talented and veteran Ian Eskelin (All Star United vocalist) with each of the band members, delivering his particular signature of contemporary worship through personal confessions and songs of praise to our Savior.

The titletrack “The Saving One”, gives us a sort of modern hymn with strong guitar riffs, steady drums and a spiritual depth that preaches salvation: “No fear can hold me down / No darkness steal my joy / For blood has been poured out / The enemy destroyed / Death could not hold Him down / The cross was not enough / To steal away His throne / For He is God”. With a piano intermediate, and a desperate lyric about returning to the first love, first single “Rediscover You” is a prayer to God for us to rediscover the things of his kingdom: “I want to learn to pray / The way that David prayed / I want my soul to burn when I hear Your name / I want to feel like new / I want to hunger for You / Bring me back to life like only You can do / ‘Cause I don’t want to stay the same”. The single is already impacting AC & CHR radio formats with a large audience, and Tim Neufeld (vocals) confesses: “This song is a description of my walk with Christ, in the most honest way. I am desperate to rediscover the things of God. I long to be real and passionate. I want to learn to walk by faith, and I find incredible freedom in saying these wishes in the lyrics of this song”. With a nearly 60 second’s instrumental introduction, “Declaration Of Independence” where Tim and Jon Neufeld create voltage loads on their guitars, while Dave Lalonde explodes with the drums and James Johnson made their presence felt in every chord. Sounds like a dcTalk or Delirious? B-side. With a simple but delusional lyric: “I’ve had the revelation / This is my declaration / More of you, oh God, and less of me”. Using synthesizers and ingenious sequences, “No Other Savior” becomes a relevant worship song, extolling the attributes of Christ in an impetuous melody: “Sacrificed to death / For us, Your final breath / You died, the world to sabe / To overcome the grave”. The beautiful “Something To Say” grabs you in seconds, with the delicate piano and the eerie vocal performance from Tim in the choir, using sublime falsetto to externalize the confession of our doubt by believing in God when He seems distant and in the silence we can hear his softly voice: “I’ve got something to say / Right now it feels like You are slipping away / Like I am drowning in a crisis of faith / Like I was found, but now I’m lost in the fray”. I have not heard a song as sincere as this for a long time, honesty that strangely refreshes you. The intimate “Absolutely” transports you to an atmosphere of worship that gives our trust to God in an acoustic prayer of dependence and love: “Down upon my knees / I’m lost in worship / Humbled by Your majesty / What is there to say / But how I love You / Thank You for forgiving me”. Songs like “Overwhelm” incorporate powerful guitars, and once again an excellent vocal harmonizing: “Desperate for Your presence / I long for You alone / So dwell within me, Jesus / This temple is Your home / I am ready for this life to be consumed”. Quickly “Top Of Our Lungs” flirts with a hint dance/club/techno/glow and rock/pop interesting fusion. The message is about to declare his glory and fame throughout the earth, proclaim our redemption, our freedom: “We’re gonna shout His praise at the top of our lungs / We’re gonna dance for the glory of the risen Son / We’re not ashamed, not ashamed of the One we love / We’re gonna shout His praise at the top of our lungs”. For this we were created and it is our destiny. “Beautiful The Sound” continues exalting our God: “From the Earth, our voices will ascend / As an offering to You alone / May our praises echo without end / Join the angel choir around the throne”. Perfect components to become a radio success or to be played in a church service. The formidable and sweet “Father”, searches for identity, friendship, companionship, loyalty that only God can give us: “You are my Father / Your love will never fail me / A friend like no other / Your trusted arms will hold me / You are my Father”. Impressionable sumptuous harmonies and acoustic arrangements, we find on the acoustic version of “The Saving One” that consolidates it as a whole hymn.

These Canadians give us rewarding mix of honesty, poetic lyrics and haunting melodies with a personal perspective incorporated into worship. “The Saving One” is the right candidate for a fresh intimacy with God. These songs reveal a breach, reliance on God, and grace, the emotion is powerful, and many can easily identify with the confessions of need that these songs contain. Starfield has returned, and with great energy.


Cada vez que Starfield lanza un álbum, mi expectativa aumenta en escalas mayores. Ya sea por sus geniales arreglos musicales, su creativo estilo modern worship, las harmonías o las letras apasionadas y sinceras en cada canción. Siempre hay motivos de sobra para asombrarme con su trabajo, y qué buen regalo de verano nos han. “The Saving One” fue producido por el talentoso y veterano Ian Eskelin (vocalista además de All Star United) junto a cada uno de los miembros de la banda, entregando su firma original de adoración contemporánea a través de confesiones personales y canciones de alabanza a nuestro Salvador.

El titletrack “The Saving One”, nos regala una especia de himno moderno con sólidos riffs de guitarras, constantes tambores y una profundidad espiritual que pregona salvación: “No fear can hold me down / No darkness steal my joy / For blood has been poured out / The enemy destroyed / Death could not hold Him down / The cross was not enough / To steal away His throne / For He is God”. Con un intermedio de piano, y una letra desesperada por regresar al primer amor, el primer sencillo “Rediscover You” es una plegaria a Dios por volver a descubrir las cosas de su Reino: “I want to learn to pray / The way that David prayed / I want my soul to burn when I hear Your name / I want to feel like new / I want to hunger for You / Bring me back to life like only You can do / ‘Cause I don’t want to stay the same”. El sencillo ya está impactando las radios de formato CHR y AC con una gran audiencia, y Tim Neufeld (vocalista) nos confiesa: “Esta canción es una descripción de mi caminar con Cristo, de la manera más honesta. Me encuentro desesperado por volver a descubrir las cosas de Dios. Anhelo lo real y quiero estar apasionado. Quiero volver a aprender a caminar por fe, y encuentro increíble libertad al decir esos deseos en la letra de esta canción”. Con una introducción instrumental de casi 60 segundos, “Declaration Of Independence” en dónde Tim y Jon Neufeld crean cargas de voltaje en sus guitarras, mientras que Dave Lalonde explosiona con las batería, y James Johnson hace sentir su presencia en cada compás. Suena como un b-side de dcTalk o de Delirious?, con una lírica simple pero delirante: “I’ve had the revelation / This is my declaration / More of you, oh God, and less of me”. Empleando sintetizadores e ingeniosas secuencias, “No Other Saviour” se convierte en una relevante canción de adoración, exaltando los atributos de Cristo en una impetuosa melodía: “Sacrificed to death / For us, Your final breath / You died, the world to sabe / To overcome the grave”. La hermosa “Something To Say” te atrapa en cuestión de segundos, con aquel delicado piano, y la estremecedora performance vocal de Tim en el coro, usando sublimes falsetes para exteriorizar la confesión de nuestra duda al creer en Dios, cuando Él parece distante y en medio del silencio podemos oír suavemente su voz: “I’ve got something to say / Right now it feels like You are slipping away / Like I am drowning in a crisis of faith / Like I was found, but now I’m lost in the fray”. No he escuchado canción tan sincera como esta en mucho tiempo, honestidad que extrañamente te refresca. La íntima “Absolutely” te transporta a una atmósfera de adoración que le entrega nuestra confianza a Dios, en una oración acústica de dependencia y amor: “Down upon my knees / I’m lost in worship / Humbled by Your majesty / What is there to say / But how I love You / Thank You for forgiving me”. Canciones como “Overwhelm” incorporan potentes guitarras, y una vez más una excelente armonización vocal: “Desperate for Your presence / I long for You alone / So dwell within me, Jesus / This temple is Your home / I am ready for this life to be consumed”. Rápidamente “Top Of Our Lungs” coquetea con un ligero matiz de dance/club/techno/glow y rock/pop interesantemente fusionados. El mensaje es sobre declarar su gloria y su fama por toda la tierra, proclamar nuestra redención, nuestra libertad: “We’re gonna shout His praise at the top of our lungs / We’re gonna dance for the glory of the risen Son / We’re not ashamed, not ashamed of the One we love / We’re gonna shout His praise at the top of our lungs”. Para esto fuimos creados y es nuestro destino. “Beautiful The Sound” continúa enalteciendo a nuestro Dios: “From the Earth, our voices will ascend / As an offering to You alone / May our praises echo without end / Join the angel choir around the throne”. Componentes perfectos para convertirse en todo un éxito de radio o para ser tocada en un servicio de iglesia. La formidable y dulce “Father”, busca la identidad, la amistad, la compañía, la fidelidad que solo Dios nos puede dar: “You are my Father / Your love will never fail me / A friend like no other / Your trusted arms will hold me / You are my Father”. Impresionables arreglos acústicos y fastuosas harmonías, hallamos en la versión acústica de “The Saving One”, que la consolidan como todo un himno.

Estos canadienses nos dan gratificante mezcla de honestidad, letras poéticas y melodías cautivantes con una perspectiva personal incorporada en adoración. “The Saving One” es el candidato indicado para una fresca intimida con Dios. Estas canciones revelan quebrantamiento, dependencia de Dios, y gracia; la emoción es poderosa, y muchos fácilmente se identificaran con las confesiones de necesidad que estas canciones contienen. Starfield ha regresado, y con mucha energía.