ADDISON ROAD - STORIES

Artist- Addison Road

Album- Stories

Label- INO Records

Street date- June 22, 2010

Album length- 10 Tracks: 34 minutes, 10 seconds

Genre- Pop/Rock

IPod pick- Fight Another Day

Please note; the whole of this album is an IPod pick. Are you surprised to read that? Every song is worth the listen over and over again and shows that Texas based band Addison road have matured into an original sound of theirs. Before I go further, I would like to make a confession, I’m a big fan of Addison Road and I’m trying so hard not to be sentimental in this review. The album is awesome. Take it from me. Compared to their first, its steadier, has a central theme that runs through from beginning to end - Everyone has a story and everyone’s story forms a part of God’s big redemption story. The songs are real and you would easily relate to them.  It runs like another Christian friend is sitting next to you and letting you in on what’s going on in their walk with God. Real stories of people on the faith journey plus first class instrumentation and more equals Addison Road’s story.

The album kicks off with ‘Fight another day’ co -ritten with veteran artist Toby Mac. It’s a radio friendly, poppy track. Lead Vocalist Jenny Simmons asks a very important life question ‘would you spend a life time running. .’  also encouraging listeners to never give up on this track. ‘Change in the making’ comes in next, a song about transformation and not giving up on ourselves in the process. Lyrics like ‘. . . Everyday You’re chipping away what I don’t need. This is me under construction. This is my pride being broken. .  . Everyday I’m closer to who I’m meant to be’ would blow your heart away.’ This little light of mine’ is a song of encouragement to press on in the faith. ’Won’t Let Me Go ’follows same like ‘Fight Another Day’ fast and beaty as well. ‘Need you now’ sounds a bit like ‘Hope Now’ from their debut. It’s a lovely worship tune written by the band’s lead guitarist Ryan Gregg. ‘Show Me Life’ is that kind of song you would love to listen to while driving, windows down, shades up, with the wind blowing through your hair. You would be humming along after the first verse. ‘My story’ is an amazing song. With instrumentals and vocals-esqued like your normal Natasha Beddingfield happy songs, it’s got a spark with it and wraps up the album beautifully.

All in all, Addison Road latest effort is a package of something you don’t want to miss. So what’s the story gonna be like? Are you getting ‘Stories’?

CHRIS AUGUST - NO FAR AWAY

Artist – Chris August


Album – No Far Away

Label – Word Records

Street Date – August 24, 2010

Album Length – 11 Tracks: 37 Minutes, 3 Seconds

Genre – Pop/RnB/Rock

IPod Pick – Starry Night

One thing is for sure, Chris August has got soul and also a voice to go along. The former band member for Ashlee Simpson doesn’t just have these two things but also a story to tell and he does that so well on ‘No Far Away’ with catchy pop beats and RnB vocals reminiscent of artists like Boyz II men and Stevie Wonder. What a combo you would say, a wonderful combo I would say it is.

The album starts off with the sunny love song titled ‘You and I’. With my first listen I was drawn in with its catchy intro. ‘Put a smile on, today’s gonna save us. . .’ Chris sings on the first line of the verse. For music lovers, this might just give a nostalgia feeling of that Lifehouse song titled ‘First Time’ but though not as rocky as it. The album takes a more pensive feel on the deeply penned ‘Battle’. ‘Starry Night’ comes in next. ‘I’m giving my life to the only one who makes the moon reflects the sun every starry night. That was his design . . .’ he sings on this one. ‘7×70’ is an honest telling of a failed relationship of a teen with a parent and the path of offering total forgiveness. ‘Want to be real’ is an honest cry for a true and real relationship with God. I love this one. It’s my most played song on this album. The title track ‘No Far Away’ is a song which reflects Psalm 139 and Chris’s falsetto shines through. ‘I’m Gonna Sing’ is a worship tune with a bit of an RnB feel. I love ‘It’s always been You’, a feel good song about God chasing us. I remember my first listen to this one, I just couldn’t remember when I started beaming. The album closes up with ‘Canyons’ a love declaration to God.

One thing I love most about this album is the realness displayed on it. Chris voice makes it a strong one too. But the realness is just amazing. I’m beginning to think this might not be for everybody, though from me to you its highly recommended. For something beyond dreary mornings and long car rides, for something that would help us hear our heart even clearer in world sometimes termed 'lousy' and live on a new level of deepness, I highly recommend Chris August’s ‘No Far Away’