November, '04 Update

• Chris Rice: I'd heard his work on the radio, but never listened to a whole CD. Chris Rice was a rare (this month) library-find. His stuff I hear on the radio is light and lively pop. Two examples come to mind fast, they're "The Cartoon Song" and "The Other Side of the Radio." If you've heard them, you'll be able to relate to the lively side of his musical style. That's about a lively as he gets. Out of the eleven tracks on the CD I heard, there was one 5 ("Other Side of the Radio"), one 4, five 3s, three 2s and a 1. The lyrics brought the one up to a 4, most of the 3s up, and a 2 up from a 1. His non-radio stuff fit too snugly into the mushy-sweet easy-listening AC category. I thought there was way too much keyboardy strings, and that lots of the music was preachin'-to-the-choir stuff. Despite the above, if I hear of a Chris Rice Greatest Hits CD, I'll eagerly buy me a copy. [4-5] for a Greatest Hits album, but otherwise a weak [3]
• Casting Crowns: Their radio hits often touch the daring edge of AC, but I think their CD is a bit dulled down to be safe for critics. Their strings effects sound a bit too keyboardy, whether they are or not (real violin in concert), but track seven featured a nice fiddle solo -obviously the real deal. They were great in concert, and I'd see 'em again. I found the CD to be dullish, although it had some neat retro-sounding Grateful Dead harmonies. [3]

• New Anthem: I heard these guys at 1030 The Light's Second Birthday Bash on 2 October. They were one of the two artists who impressed me. I'd call 'em Power-pop with punk flavors --similar, at times, to Relient K. For a new band, they've got a nice polish. They should appeal to a wide audience with their rock/pop/light punk style. The vocals are even crisp and clear enough that even an easy-listening fan could like 'em. Keep up the Good Work! [4]
• Remnant: (a.k.a. Overflow --see article "There Oughtta Be a Law") Alternative on the heavy side. Intense, often gravelly vocals and with some yelling, but it stays melodic enough to not be noise. They're real workers on stage, too, without giving a gimmicky performance. I was delighted to find that they finally had a CD! I snapped it up when I saw them at the 16 October Hot Dogs for Jesus concert. Hey Michael, protect that voice! It's rockin' and distinctive! [5]
  The copyright of the article November, '04 Update in Christian Rock is owned by Paul Landkamer. Permission to republish November, '04 Update in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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