Featuring the same producer and the same sonic approach, with buzzsaw guitars supporting the dramatic and powerful vocals of Adrienne Liesching, the Benjamin Gate's sophomore effort sounds awfully similar to the band's Unt... more »itled debut. But why mess with a winner? The South African-based group scored two No. 1 hits and several Dove nominations for that record's cutting-edge Christian rock. We get more on Contact: energetic pop like "Lift Me Up" and "This Is Not" shares space with melodic midtempo gems like "The Calling" as well as the sort of chaotic rockers ("Fall Away" and "Violently") that one rarely associates with a Christian band. Unequaled in comparison and unparalleled in energy, the Benjamin Gate's second step is just as firm as the first. --Michael Lyttle« less
Featuring the same producer and the same sonic approach, with buzzsaw guitars supporting the dramatic and powerful vocals of Adrienne Liesching, the Benjamin Gate's sophomore effort sounds awfully similar to the band's Untitled debut. But why mess with a winner? The South African-based group scored two No. 1 hits and several Dove nominations for that record's cutting-edge Christian rock. We get more on Contact: energetic pop like "Lift Me Up" and "This Is Not" shares space with melodic midtempo gems like "The Calling" as well as the sort of chaotic rockers ("Fall Away" and "Violently") that one rarely associates with a Christian band. Unequaled in comparison and unparalleled in energy, the Benjamin Gate's second step is just as firm as the first. --Michael Lyttle
Arleigh H. from LONG VALLEY, NJ Reviewed on 4/6/2021...
Follow-up on the previous review -- I have the one-cd version. All the songs listed for CD#1 are there and playable, but there's also a copy of Quick-time on the disk. Furthermore, if you look at the track side of the CD it appears that the outside 25% has a different set of tracks than the inside 75%. I'm guessing that "CD#2" is a collection of Quick-time videos on the same disk. I can't tell for sure, however, because I have a Windows 10 computer, which does not support Quick-time.
Tim O. (irishmasms) from CASTRO VALLEY, CA Reviewed on 1/7/2012...
There are two versions of this release - a two disc version and a one disc version, both using the same UPC (bar code). Make sure you are sending/requesting the correct version!
The 'correct/more accurate' single CD release UPC used on the CD trading web sites and Amazon is 724354037306 - the two CD UPC is 724353624200.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
The techno's gone,lyrics better,sound more focused
Greg Brady | Capital City | 04/13/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"On this album, the production trims the focus away from dense production stacked with walls of guitar atmospherics and technoish keyboards drifting in and out of the mix and instead focuses on "cleaner" guitar lines. The lyrics (a bit of a downfall for the last one) are quite a bit better here, avoiding much of the repetitiveness that undercut many tracks on the last one. Perhaps it's all the influence of wunderkind producer Charlie Peacock, whose name turns up here as co-executive producer with David Bach and who's been responsible for producing much of the most memorable Christian pop and rock of the last 10 or so years.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The debut began with mediocre track "How Long?" On this one, the Gate comes out swinging with radio hit "Lift Me Up", a soaring sonic merry-go-round celebrating the promise of Jesus' eventual return to Earth. The 'whoa-oh-oh-oh' hook to "This is Not" is infectious. "Do What you say" issues a challenge to spend more time living a TRUE Christian life rather than merely "doing what we should". ("We're here to love and not be manipulated/And that should never be understated/Let's see what we've got here/Let's take it on...") A completely revamped cover of 80s Men at Work hit "Overkill" also sparkles. "Your Kisses Blind Me" uses a unique image to try and express the wonder of knowing God ("Beautiful you are to me/Moon above a raging sea..")
LOWS:
There's still a couple songs where the words aren't up to snuff but at least they're at the end. Chorus to "Violently" is "Fight/Got to fight/Got to fight to get thru/Got to reach/Got to reach/Till we find you". Same thing with "Fall Away" ("I fall away/away/away..")
BOTTOM LINE:
In every way a step up from the debut. One can only wonder where they might have gone had the band not broken up. This one has a pretty good consistency to it and I think will probably still be listenable as time goes on.
POSTSCRIPT:
Keep listening after "Fall Away" for a hidden version of "The Calling" that's a little more raw than track 3.
3 1/2 stars"
Lifts You Up!
Reijo Piippula | Turku, Finland | 12/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Benjamin Gate's second album is much better and happier than their first one "Untitled". It starts with a great pop rock track which is happy "Lift Me Up". It makes me wanna jump around when I listen to this song. "This Is Not" is a great rhythm rock track. Adrienne Lisching one of the best female vocalists in the world...this proves it. "The Calling" is a peaceful song that tells about hearing the voice of God. "Do What You Say", "Light", "Gratitude", "Violently", especially "Violenty" are fast rock tracks and I love 'em!!! "Overkill" is a great cover, the original band who made it was "Men at Work". I haven't heard the original one but maybe I will sometimes listen to it...at least this version is a great ballad. "Need" is also one of my favourite tracks...it's a great ballad...not so peaceful but almost a ballad. "Your Kisses Blind Me" is maybe the sweetest song in this album...and one of the sweetest songs in the music world. "Tonight" tells about the candles...you must light them...and praise God!!! "The Way You Are" is a peaceful song but very hopeful one. "Fall Away" is quite a heavy song...like a heavy ballad...with great lyrics. This is my favourite gospel rock-pop album...and there's no real other competitors.
Stars: Lift Me Up, Tonight, Gratitude"
The Benjamin Gate never fails to rock.
Rose | San Francisco, California United States | 02/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard the song "The Calling" on the radio before this CD came out, and I recognised Adrienne's voice straight away, me being a huge fan of The Benjamin Gate. Their music has a quite unique sound, one that is not too poppy, but catchy enough to sing along to.
This CD in particular is not my favourite CD of theirs, but it is definitely deserving of five stars. They did an amazing cover of "Overkill" by Men At Work, along with giving some of their old demos facelifts and including those on here. It's great to hear how Adrienne's voice has matured on this album, and the musicianship is impeccable. The only reason I don't really like this CD as well as "Untitled" is it seems to be a bit too polished, with too much ForeFront and not enough Benjamin Gate going on. Their older sound seems more raw and more untamed, along with their songs seeming more varied on their older CDs.
This CD is very much worth buying, but don't buy it and not any of their older CDs. If you're gonna buy this one, you should also pick up "Untitled" if you can."
The more... the better
James T. Hollifield II | Texas | 12/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The more you listen to this music, the more you will like it. As an American that has been to South Africa twice, I find their adventurous and stalwart character represented here yet again in their stand for their faith in Jesus Christ. One can only have admiration and appreciation for this project. May you be once again reminded of the greatness of God and his unlimited compassion in this cd as I have been."