Where The Light Shines Through (Deluxe Version)

Artist: Switchfoot

Label: Concord Vanguard
Release Date: July 8, 2016

Duration: 15 tracks, 1:00:24

With Switchfoot’s tenth album in 20 years they continue their progression in musical growth while retaining their message, not an easy feat in today’s ever-changing music culture. They remain one of the strongest CCM messengers while continuing to be at the forefront of modern pop rock with Where The Light Shines Through.

“Holy Water" opens the collection hitting hard with good breaks later smoothly leading into “Float”, which completely changes the direction and momentum being lighter and poppier. “Where The Light Shines Through” is classic Switchfoot in message and lyrics with playful rhythm accented by loud and at times brash guitar.

“I Won’t Let You Go” is one song among a number on this album which falls in line with many current CCM ballads being lack-luster in meaningful message having ‘the same old story’, something a little unusual for Switchfoot. Here, Foreman’s vocals occasionally stretch a little too high sounding scratchy and out of place.

Where The Light Shines Through has a good number of songs with a greater pop influence when compared to previous releases. One example is “If The House Burns Down Tonight” being poppy, catchy and having great hooks. Conversely, “The Day That I Found God” is solemn with deep feeling brought forward by solid lyrics and wanting vocals.

In a more experimental track, “Looking For America” featuring a duet with Lecrae provides an interesting joint venture of supporting rap to Foreman’s vocals together delivering a strong message. Big bass and uneven kick drum beat with lyrics both lost and lonely make “Light And Heavy” stick, something new and unique.

Overall, Where The Light Shines Through starts strong but winds out slowly, thankfully the final few songs save the day. While not one of their standout albums, Where The Light Shines Through is a noteworthy addition to the Switchfoot collector being fun and easy to listen to.

http://switchfoot.com

https://www.facebook.com/switchfoot

Scott S Mertens

3.5 tocks

Live From NoWhere~Barn Raising Concerts

Artist: Over The Rhine

Label: Great Speckled Dog
Release Date: December 16, 2015

Duration: 2 discs, 20 tracks, 1:30:34

A decade or so back I was fortunate to walk into an outdoor venue at dusk to witness one of my top ten all time concerts with Over The Rhine (OTR) playing to a standing-room-only crowd. Always having a surprise in store for the audience, that evening they included a cover of The Pretenders ‘Ohio’ and rocked it well. For those who have not had the privilege of experiencing OTR live, their performance and set list always exhibit the full range of the human experience. This is very present in Live From NoWhere~Barn Raising Concerts, the fifth in the ‘Live From Nowhere’ series. The Barn Raising Concerts were produced to assist in building a concert hall in an aging barn on the farm owned by the co-founders and leaders of OTR, Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler.

The two album, 20-song collection is full of energy. Sometimes mellow, sometimes kicking, the emotion runs high in music and lyrics throughout. Well engineered, this live album has little fan interference in the recording with all songs presented in a pure and bright light. This is a great emotionally clad mix. Throughout the musicianship is crisp and sharp. Bergquist’s vocals shine, all the more with great backing vocals.

The stage is set with “Meet Me At The End Of The World” which slowly builds the album’s passion. “Cuyahoga” (not the REM song) is an acoustic instrumental providing a great lead into “Gonna Let My Soul Catch My Body” picking up-tempo with the Bergquist’s sultry vocals. “Suitcase” follows showing sadness and longing, with great guitar / vocal interplay.

Amid slower, country-like ballads, “All I Need Is Everything” is upbeat and powerful. A soft but strong piano accompanied by acoustic guitar blend to give entry to the ever-beautiful “Born”. The vocals are second only to the piano in giving this song the true emotional edge it shines with. In “Poughkeepsie“ Bergquist’s vocal range soars giving something of American heritage to her sound.

Taking a page from their past, “Baby If This Is Nowhere” is a low hanging, sultry rocker accented by a wandering and wavering loose and raunchy lead guitar. Detweiler’s piano sets the pace and sentiment coloring “I Want You To Be My Love”, “Trouble” with its bold and sensuous vocals, and “All My Favorite People”, soft and sweet. “The Laugh Of Recognition” again picks up the pace giving way to the slow, hot and moving “Cruel And Pretty”. The surprise cover in this edition of Live From Nowhere is Neal Young’s “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” staying true to the original musically and in spirit being both full and loose.

There is something about OTR performing live that is very special, very electric. Something comes out of their performance that can never be replicated in a studio recording.

http://overtherhine.com
https://www.facebook.com/overtherhinemusic

Scott S Mertens

4 tocks