Phil Wickham | Self-titled

This self-titled album being the first major production (INO) from the San Diego native Phil Wickham is a great jewel of instrumental dedication, vocal determination, and rigorous commitment to create an album that is not only entertaining but also leads the listener to a place of musical worship. “Divine Romance” an excellent compilation of literally breathe taking vocals and witty guitar licks shows the creative progress of this young and promising musician. Do not be surprised if in purchasing this album you begin singing and dancing to these wonderful pieces of art.

Five out of Five

Project 86 | And the Rest Will Follow

The fifth album of the Project86 legacy And the Rest Will Follow (2005) is described as by the bands front man Andrew Schwab, "Our most diverse release, with as much focus on melody as there is on destruction." This statement is not a complete mistruth being the band does focus on melody and pulls it off successfully. However, this album lacks in what was captured in the 2004 release, "Songs to Burn Your Bridges By" it is missing the crippling intensity and insight along with blasting bass riffs and guitar work. Nonetheless, the album is still worth a purchase for songs like "Sincerely, Ichabod" and "The Hand, The Furnace, The Straight Face." Despite the fact that this album is not as profound as the last a positive aspect is the lyrical content, the spiritual, economic and personal battles are highlighted in this album allowing the world to gaze into the lives of the Orange County natives.

Four out of Five

mewithoutYou | Catch For Us The Foxes

Tooth and Nails, mewithoutYou has brought to the table "Catch for Us the Foxes" (2004) an experimental master piece filled with as www.musichristian.com calls it challenging and innovative music. As I placed the full-length album into my stereo box I was greeted by the vocally intense and sensitive poet Aaron Weiss as he quotes scripture, "You played the flute but no one was dancing; you sang a sad song and no one was crying." (Mat. 11:17) As I continued to listen to the album in its entirety I began to sense not only lyrical greatness but I also felt the dedication to instrumental mastery, explosive guitars, interesting drum beats and patterns along with creative bass work. For anyone interested in becoming a fan of a great band pick up this mewithoutYou album.

Five out of Five