A friend of mine passed on some very exciting and interesting news yesterday. Christian recording artist, Third Day, was featured on the cover of the June 7 issue of Billboard Magazine. For Billboard to feature any Christian band is a huge deal.
My friend also passed along a review of the new album, “Revelation,” from Relevant Magazine. The album does not release until July 29 but there is already a buzz about the article. Here are a few excepts from the overly honest article:
“From 2001 to 2007, Third Day made the same album five different times. Sure, the titles and artwork were different, and the song names were always new, but the sound remained pretty much the same (which was beginning to pass its expiration date when they got on this musical treadmill).”
“When I got ahold of an advance copy of the band’s latest work, I only wanted to hear it because Howard Benson turned the knobs. He’s a producer who’s elevated the careers of everyone from Mae to Flyleaf to All American Rejects. Quite frankly, I wondered why someone who had found a lot of success on the modern rock charts (with Daughtry, Cold, Theory of a Deadman) would even bother stepping into a studio with Mac Powell and Co.”
“After living with the album for seven days, I’ve found the answer: Benson knew he could make the band fall in love with rock music again.”
“Gone is Powell’s “singing to soccer moms” tone and it’s replaced with an edgy attitude that seems to sneer “thought we were down and out…listen up!”
“The strength here is first in the arrangements, then in the songwriting. The album is beautifully produced, with thundering arena rock drum tracks thumping through almost all 43 minutes, and Benson wasn’t afraid to match the power of Powell’s pipes with sonically equal guitar riffs. In turn, the sound has inspired the band to pen lyrics that sound much more like rock music than made-for-CCM-radio fodder.”
“The genius of Benson also brought one other piece to the puzzle: a star-studded guest list. American Idol alum Chris Daughtry adds backing vocals to one track, the under appreciated Robert Randolph throws down guitar parts on “Otherside” and Lacy from FlyLeaf contributes her unforgettable wail to the mix on “Born Again” and possibly backing voals on “Run to You” (the pre-release album sleeve doesn’t credit the guests).”
“No one has been more surprised by this band than me.”
You can read the entire review by clicking here.
Well…to all the Third Day fans and Gomers out there…get ready! It looks like it’s time for a “Revelation!”
June 13th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Awesome!! I love Third Day. I saw them in concert a few years back.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
not a huge third day fan. don’t know why. i saw them and david crowder in concert once. i couldn’t understand a word mac powell said. i have been turned off from them since then.