Artist: Derek Webb
Label: Independent
Release Date:
Volume 1 - 2010
Volume 2 –2011
Duration:
Volume 1 - 12 tracks
Volume 2 - 10 tracks
Derek Webb has continually pushed the envelope of Christian
music providing thought provoking messages while breaking existing boundaries
of his art. While Webb has succeeded in being at the forefront of Christian
art, many in the conservative Christian camp may say he has gone too far. With
Democracy he has both quiesed and upset.
A founding member of the Caedmon’s Call, a leading CCM band
in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Webb lit out as a solo performer early this
decade providing many popular offerings while pushing the limits of the
Christian music realm. Continually, Webb has lead the way in this venue both in
his message, music, and in the media often used in conjunction with his music
such as video, written content, and in collaborative efforts with other visual artists
in recent years.
Early
in 2010, Derek Webb fans could cast their votes for up to 12 songs that they
wanted Webb to cover in Democracy, Volume 1. The 12 songs having had received the
most votes were then included in this first offering. Throughout 2010, one
track was released per month to those fans subscribing to Democracy, Volume 1
through Webb’s web site. In 2011, Democracy, Volume 2 followed
using the same game plan to pick this time 10 songs to be available to Webb’s
fan subscribing to this volume.
This review is offered to provide history and knowledge
related to Webb’s ever-expanding artistic offerings. Following is a song-by-song
summation of both Democracy volumes.
Volume 1:
- “While My Guitar Gently
Weeps” (The Beatles) – good vocals but fuzzy percussion on refrain doesn’t
always work.
- “Fix You” (Coldplay) –acoustic
guitar base with organ in background gives a mellow tone.
- “The Times They Are
A-Changin” (Bob Dylan) – Webb’s slightly gruff voice and simple guitar
strumming work well with Dylan’s songs.
- “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul”
(Gnarls Barkely) – electric drums and guitar with scratchy-synth based
vocals make for darker, desperate feelings. Well done.
- “Chicago” (Sufjan Stevens)
– Webb’s vocals work well here. This song has good breaks and great
cadence; ending voice-overs make the song’s conclusion stick.
- “Where the Streets Have No
Name” (U2) – Is that a ukulele? A strong
and emotional vocal performance combines with a nice composition to make a
good cover.
- “Power of Love” (Huey
Lewis And The News) – like a leftover from Stockholm Syndrome, the very
scratchy vocals and Euro-pop snyth power this rendition, which is better
off left on the shelf (even Huey couldn’t save this one!)
- “Eleanor Rigby” (The Beatles) – good acoustic guitar saves
this song, the lead vocals are mixed too lightly compared to the volume of
the chorus
- “The Sound of Silence”
(Simon & Garfunkel) – featuring Sandra McCracken, great eerie piano
and duet with McCracken are excellent, this mix is also found on their
joint TN EP offering.
- “Karma Police” (Radiohead)
– smooth, direct mixing from “Sound of Silence” to “Karma Police” with
heavy bass and soap opera, Wurlitzer-like organ laying down the foundation
for Webb’s signature dream-like sleepy vocals.
- “Hallelujah” (Leonard
Cohen) – a great rendition of Cohen’s work with steadily building energy
throughout the song.
- “Come Thou Fount of Every
Blessing” (hymn) – old, standard hymn with only piano and vocals sounding
like it was recorded on a remote mic in an old, empty cathedral. A slight synth
and overdubbed voice provide entry to the second stanza which takes on a
deeper emotional complexion with added reverb.
Volume 2:
- “F**k You” (Cee-lo Green)
– here, the scratchy synth vocals work as Webb exercises his vocal gifts
in a pop-rocker. Despite the lyrics, this is a good rocker not often
offered by this artist.
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” (Bon
Jovi) – WOW, this moves like a Lamborghini on a Japanese freeway! Great
rendition with big beat background gives new light to a rock standard.
- “God Only Knows” (The
Beach Boys) – much cleaner than I thought it could be, this rendition
stands up with great and simple piano. Watch for the vaudeville-like break.
- “One” (U2) – slow but fair
rendition.
- “Be Thou My Vision” (hymn)
– slow movement through an age-old hymn, well done but takes away from the
collections rhythm.
- “Bridge Over Troubled
Water” (Simon & Garfunkel) – nice and easy with slight backing guitar
to set stage for emotion filled voice like only Webb can produce. This
song is tailor made for his vocal qualities. Where you might think his
voice is over-stretched toward the song’s end, the breaks in his voice
highlight the emotion of the song’s climax.
- “Revolution” (The Beatles)
–popier rendition of the Beatles classic, an interesting journey as is
many of Webb’s compositions. He
loves to change things up!
- “Creed” (Rich Mullins) – here
is a nice piece with hot percussion, like great claps and stomps of a good
audience. Great touch with Webb reciting the Nicene Creed in song form.
- “Falling Slowly” (Once soundtrack)
– lead song from Once movie soundtrack originally performed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. A nice piece with
good sound, a great feel good song.
- “What’s So Funny ‘Bout
Peace, Love & Understanding” (Elvis Costello) – more Euro-pop
electronica with samples and loops but a great vocal performance. This is where
Webb shines, his gift is vocals which display emotion more easily than
many a performer.
Very few musicians would put themselves ‘out there’ with
their audience to not only perform songs of the audience’s choosing, but also
to compose around the original and pull it off with such success. This is the
mark of a great musician and artist, one who is both professional and prolific
as reflected in his recent offerings. Not only this, but having a conscience
and being a Christian makes for a wonderful and rare occurrence among his contemporaries.
SS Mertens
3 ½ tocks
No comments:
Post a Comment