When I started this Update, I wondered if I'd have heard enough new music to warrant an article. That was before a new Radrockers catalog came in the mail. I didn't hear anything "bad" this month. (I even got to see Todd Agnew, Rebecca St. James, and the Newsboys in Kansas City to close out my Thanksgiving weekend.)
Not In the Collection
From the Collection
- John Tesh: I had expectations for his music. I knew beforehand that it was going to be sweet and mushy stuff. I was pleasantly surprised! I found myself singing along to many songs, and when I didn't know the song, I caught myself humming and drumming on the steering wheel of the libary van. John Tesh's music is softish rock, to even middle of the road, but it's done in a very real, approachable light style. [3]
- Plus One: I heard Plus One at Rock the Light V this Summer. Their sound really surprised me, though their stage antics were overly effeminate. I expected an almost-slimy boyband sound out of Plus One. I got a surprise, and their CD, Exodus backs it up. OK, they've still got hints of boybandishness with the vocals being a bit pouty, breathy, nasal and whiney. For that, I couldn't give it a 4. Pete Furler's production and the almost heavy instrumentals made the CD one I'd have in my collection, but not at retail. There's lots of stuff on it that I'd like to hear again. [3]
- Stevie and the Saints: Solid blues rockers. The gravelly vocals sometimes seem a bit forced, but I'd still love to hear this band in concert! [5]
- Fusebox: pop/rock praise and worship. Normally, when I think, "praise and worship," (P&W) I think of soft and sweet stuff they play on the radio, or the newer songs we sing in church on Sunday morning. Fusebox, though a P&W band (or at least the CD I listened to), really rocks! There's really only been one other P&W album I liked, and that was Third Day's Offerings II. If P&W music had always been like these albums, it sure wouldn't have a wimpy-music reputation. [4]
- Steve: Modern rock with a heavy edge. It gets a little white-noisy at times. These guys have a very polished adult and retro sound, which surprised me with their very-young appearance. There's none of the gimmicky yelling or shock stuff. Quite PFR-like at times. Only the occasional white-noise, jangly guitar kept the rating down to a [4]
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