KB - Weight & Glory [Music Review]

Artist- KB
Album- Weight & Glory
Album Length- 14 Tracks: 53 Minutes, 44 Seconds
Release Date – July 17, 2012
iPod Pick – Hello (Feat. Suzy Rock)
Genre – Hip Hop Rap


The idea and Buzz of KB seems ‘underdog’ in nature from doing covers such as Lecrae’s ‘Background‘ (on his EP ‘Who is KB?’ ) and various collaboration with major artist but it would surprise you that KB delivers on his debut with the confidence of a veteran, yeah like he’s been around a long time. Though very original in his hip, matured and at the same time youthful sound, for the sake of those who don’t know KB I would make quick comparisons of his sound with the sound of Lil Wayne (you know that low key deep slur rap he does) and B.O.B (the whole playful and youthful sound of his). And at times you would hear the care free dropping of bars of mainstream British rapper Tinie Tempah. That said let’s move on to what KB’s debut ‘Weight & Glory’ is really like.

‘Weight & Glory’ is really a bold project dealing with weighty themes bordered on real life issues. On ‘Hello’ (which would sure end up as your ringtone on first listen) features the amazing Suzy Rock. It’s a song about facing the new mercies God gives to us each single day. This is easy to miss but lyrics like ‘Oh I’m letting go of my yesterday. . . Every day I live is another day. I know that I’ve been forgiven’ would sure make this truth hard to miss. Hard Clap tunes aren’t left out on tracks such as ‘Angels’ and ‘Church Clap’ the latter featuring Lecrae. Listeners familiar with the metal sound of bands such as Thousand Foot Krutch and Hawk Nelson wouldn’t be too surprised at the intro of ‘Don’t Mean Much’ which features Sho Baraka.

On ‘Go Off’ which features Andy Mineo and Tedashii, you would hear fine lines such as ‘You think being meek is weak huh. Try being meek for a week’. ‘Mr. Pretender’ though might sound a bit like something we’ve heard before deals with the controversial theme of Church Hypocrisy. ‘Open Letter (Battlefield)’ is another beautiful heartfelt track on which KB reads letters sent in probably from different fans having various struggles. You would sure raise your hands at the end of this song as KB declares boldly the ability of our God in bringing healing to his children who are broken in unimaginable ways.

Skipping the slight monotony in some tracks, an almost hardcore rap feel and lyrics a bit hard to decode, KB’s album is a great album to invest in. It’s not just dope music, this man’s got something going beneath it all. Even in his music, you would sense a fervor to reach people for God, to share His hope, grace and all He’s freely given.

If you thought Lecrae was the best thing that ever happened to the CCM rap scene or tired of songs about drugs, girls and ghetto life from mainstream rappers, you need to check out KB’s ‘Weight & Glory’, Rap music has never been this weighty.

[Review Originally Penned  For and Featured Courtesy of TheGospelGuru.com]

Dave Barnes - Stories to Tell [Music Review]

Artist - Dave Barnes
Album - Stories to Tell
Album Length - 11 Tracks: 38 minutes, 32 seconds
Street Date - March 13, 2012
Label - Razor & Tie
iPod Pick - White Flag

I first came across Dave Barnes in a Christian Single (life way resources) magazine interview years back where he boldly proclaimed in the interview how he was awful at writing anything other than love songs. I was sincerely wowed and one thing I loved about the interview was how he said he still held on to his christian faith nevertheless.

Dave's music is folk with a bit of acoustic and pop influenced. It's not music you would choose for a worship set list, not at all. Artist such as Jason Mraz, Mark Schultz, Matt Wertz and probably Mat Kearney ( yes his 'City of black and white' project) would come to your mind once you put in his new record (Stories to tell). Caution! It gets really jazzy and highly instrumentally focused on ' Heaven Help Me'. It sounds like something from a Switchfoot meet N Sync album (can you just imagine that?) on 'White Flag' and honestly this track might just get you dancing at its refrain. It's a lovely tune of second chances. Also on this track, lines like 'forgiveness is the chorus in our rebel song' would win you over. It's also got a Samba flavor plus a Motown throw back in it's BGVs. I can't say enough of this particular song, you just need to listen.

Things slow down on 'Love will be enough for us' and gets a bit rocky on 'Seventeen'. 'Missing You' shines in the normal Dave Barnes style adding a bit of the sweet rock bangs of Match Box Twenty or say Keane but it also utilizes well the beautiful BGVs that is all spread out all over the album. 'Find Your Way Home' is a bold step in the direction of penning music that last a long time such as the classical 'Swing Low'. In fact it makes good use of the negro spiritual vibe.

Lovers of great instrumentation, Jazz and artist like John Mayer, Robin Thicke and John Legend wouldn't mind something a more pop influenced jazz sound on this album. It's diverse, it's bold, it's more like a concert music but it would do good for room music on a reflective day. Heard of Dave Barnes before? Yes or no, you should check out this album.