CTRL
Artist: Derek Webb
Label: Fair Trade / Columbia
Release Date: September 4, 2012
Duration: 10 tracks, 47:30
For those looking forward to a continuation of Stockholm
Syndrome, I would suggest to keep an open mind when initially digesting CTRL.
As is typical for Derek Webb, CTRL builds on past offerings while creating
something new and different. Webb has never and will never be one to ‘sit on
his laurels’ artistically or spiritually. This is certainly the case with CTRL,
which hints at Webb’s previous acoustic offerings while adding Josh Moore’s
samples and beats, but strikes a fresh chord by incorporating strikingly new
musical posturing and continued lyrical growth.
Where Webb has had a focused message on social justice and
issues with the church in the past, CTRL looks inward. Not only to the author
but the listener as well, often taking you to uncomfortable places - dangerously
hitting close to home. Here, Webb continues to push the CCM envelope, but in a
new and indirect way. As a collective, this is truly an adventure into one’s
self, and perhaps more the dark side than anything else. The collections title,
CTRL, is very appropriate (CTRL: modifier key which when used with another key will
perform a special operation). The more than effective use of an old-school
church choir to sometimes lead into, sometime complete, and yet at other times
underscore, and highlight various songs brings a new and darker emotion to the
self-searching movement that is CTRL.
Enter an average choir performing an ancient hymn to set the
stage for “And See The Flaming Skies”, the album’s initial offering. Both loud
and brash, the choir gives entry to a chilling, apocalyptic-like rendition of
the hymn ‘Idumea’. The choir
fades to Webb’s vocals and acoustic guitar with a quieting, jazz-like backing
rhythm giving the hymn an all new musical flavor while preserving the meaning –
an inward journey of life’s desperate searching for an answer to the question
of life, death, and what may come after. Finally, the chorus returns with the
ending stanza cementing the dark undertones of the lyrics while setting the
stage for the album’s story.
A triad of songs follows, first with a dream-like state of desperation
realized for wants and wishes unattainable in both ‘A City With No Name’ and
‘Can’t Sleep’ (listen for the use of the choir underlining the feeling of
desperation at song’s end), then a desperate plea for love in ‘Blocks’. Again,
the choir, here recorded intentionally in a speed slowing to a crawl,
underlines the message. The quiet percussion and acoustic guitar’s meandering rhythm
with occasional sampling of horns make this three-some a quiet treat.
‘Pressing On The Bruise’ picks up the pace with a rambling
melody with lyrics telling of desire and longing. With a slight return to Syndrome, ‘Attonitos Gloria’ has synth pop and acoustic upswing
with the message of falling to sin with known regret throughout the passage. While
‘I Feel Everything’ gives the continuing impression of desperation growing
through the feeling of being unable to change, ‘Reanimate’ provides a 180
telling of redemption – ‘I cannot believe my eyes, I am alive’.
‘A Real Ghost’ is a beautiful combination of vocals with
acoustic guitar. Here is the story of inner peace found in redemption. This is
truly a beautiful song possessing the ability to provide an inner healing to
the listener. The finale, ‘Around Every
Corner’ – leaves us with a rocker with heavy
beats, choir sampling, and solid acoustic guitar rhythm ending the album’s
story line with the excitement of change.
In comparison to recent releases, CTRL is at times bare
bones and languid, yet cutting edge for lyrics and for the placement of
samplings used. This is not a collection of social justice related offerings
but is an inner discovery of one’s soul. Webb has crossed the labyrinth of
songs with a message by providing a story where the listener takes a
meaningful, inward journey. Combined with Sola-Mi, his recent collaboration
with Josh Moore and Latifah Phillips, the CTRL concert of fall / winter 2012
should be an experience not easily forgotten.
In my recent interview with Webb, he mentioned the genius of
Simon & Garfunkel in telling a story through wide reaching lyrics, which can
touch a broad audience by leveraging their life experiences. If the listener
allows CTRL to flow into and overtake them, they too will have the experience
of being touched by looking inward to one’s own self. Like standing up a mirror
for each of us to see inside ourselves, he has done what few Christian
offerings have managed to do in the past. Webb has created a tool for us to use
for our spiritual self-improvement.
Surely, God has long been refining Webb’s gifts to provide this message,
this tool. Long may he work His will.
Scott S Mertens
3.5 tocks
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