Music Reviews

THE STORY'S NOT OVER - Jeremy Camp (Sparrow Records)

/ I HAVE LOVED Jeremy Camp since his frosted tips, Christian rock beginnings in the early 2000’s, but it’s encouraging to hear his sound evolve as he returns for his 11th studio album, The Story’s Not Over. While he's grown into a more contemporary pop sounds, it's satisfying to hear him keep some of the vocal edge and rock sensibilities from his early days on standout track, ‘Dead Man Walking'.

I wish he would've explored this raw sound more as the album weaves between both ends of the pop-rock spectrum, but settles more on the upbeat dance track end with ‘Should’ve Been Me’ and ‘Only You Can’ with some forays into the slower, inspirational middle with ‘Keep Me in the Moment’ and ‘Out of My Hands’.

While the latest offering doesn't reach the staggering heights of Jeremy Camp classics such as ‘There Will Be a Day’ or ‘Walk By Faith’, there’s still plenty to dig into. Camp’s voice is as powerful and brooding as ever, and he presents an uplifting message to meditate on.

Camp has experienced more than his fair share of grief, some of which has fuelled his most poignant work, and it’s encouraging to feel his forward-focus as he sings on the title track, "Don't need to know what's ahead/Don't need to know how it ends/I know that You got Your hand on me."

Overall, The Story’s Not Over proves exactly that; there's a bright future ahead for Jeremy Camp fans.

UNSTOPPABLE GOD - Sanctus Real (Framework/Fair Trade)

/ SANCTUS REAL IS another long-running CCM staple that seems to be searching for a new spark.

While the band set out in a different musical direction after the loss of founder and lead singer Matt Hammitt, Dustin Lolli has proven himself a reliable replacement.

However, what made Sanctus Real a standout from the pack in their early days; distorted electric guitars, bombastic drums and hits like 2006’s ‘I’m Not Alright’ or 2010’s heartbreaking ballad “Lead Me”, are sorely missing here. Instead, in finding a new footing it seems the band and production team has relied too heavily on the current CCM pop formula; pleasing to the ear but ultimately nothing that sticks with you for the long haul.

Lyrically, the imagery and stories here also rely on some well-worn cliches that undercut the polished production. That’s not to say the album is without substance, tracks like ‘Unending Hope’ and ‘A Million Ways’ feature beautiful piano melodies and showcases Lolli’s impressive vocal chops.

Ultimately, I was left wanting to like the album more than I actually was. There’s a rich heritage of fantastic Christian music with Sanctus REAL, here’s hoping they can find, and reignite, that spark.

WHEN THE LIGHT COMES - Big Daddy Weave (Curb Word Entertainment)

/ BIG DADDY WEAVE has a quality that’s become so rare in long-running bands; nearly every original member since 1998 remains.

The continuity of band makeup bleeds into their music making for a unbroken yet evolving sound for their latest, When the Light Comes.

Standout tracks like ‘Alive’ and ‘This Is What We Live For’ are soaring anthems of praise, chock-full of sharp synth and pulsing electric guitar.

Elsewhere, highlight ‘I Know’ slows things down with lilting strings and Weaver’s searching vocals as he sings, "And though my eyes have never seen You/I've seen enough to say/I know that You are good/I know that You are kind."

Overall, the album embodies the bright celebration that is the Good News of the Gospel. As Weaver sings on ‘Your Love Changes Everything’ "Your mercy/has washed away/All the lies of who I was/I'm free from the guilt and shame.”

While the highs are high, there are some completely forgettable tracks here as well, not bad, just very skippable. While they don’t detract from the album, they don’t add anything either.

In the end, despite a few misses, When the Light Comes is another brilliant showcase of why Big Daddy Weave has dominated the CCM charts for over 20 years.

/ STEVEN SUKKAU works in radio on the prairies of Southern Manitoba.