Erica F. from GILBERT, AZ Reviewed on 2/23/2007...
Don't really care for The David Crowder Band apparently. CD listened to only once.
CD Reviews
Best of Both Worlds
Greg | California | 01/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In my unregenerate state, I was an obsessed music fan. I bought multiple albums per week and listened to music from the time I woke up until the CD I put on at night turned off after I went to sleep. I eventually discovered such great musicians as Soundgarden, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, etc. After my conversion, I still liked that music, but it was filling my mind with things I didn't want to be filled with, so I got rid of my entire collection.
For years now I've been somewhat passively searching for something that will not only live up to the musical talent of those previously mentioned artists, but will feed my soul as well. A Collision is the first album I have found that does both.
The A Part of the album sounds relatively like the typical "praise and worship" album, but without the tendency to "get old" after repeated listens. This is likely to be the only part most people will like until at least the third or fourth listen.
The next part takes a dramatic turn in style, starting with the quasi-title track, A Beautiful Collision. The "old" songs tend to get stuck in my head even more than the rest of the album.
It is starting with track 13, Do Not Move, that the album really becomes ever more spectacular. The songwriting is just fantastic. It's one of those headphone albums where the composition makes it worthy of striving to hear every part.
The flow of the album is great, it really seems like a whole *album* and not just a collection of songs. There's also an obvious progression of a storyline of man's depravity (Wholly Yours), God's greatness (Here Is Our King), our earthly deliverance from that depravity by Christ's redeeming work (Come and Listen, We Win!), and our ultimate rescue from this world by virtue of Christ's return (Our Happy Home, Rescue is Coming). This album is thinkingly, thoroughly Biblical, which is the best part of it all.
I highly recommend this album to anyone, anywhere, anytime. I couldn't think more highly of it."
A Collision of Rampant Creativity
Jon Wymore | Midland, TX United States | 09/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow! This CD is absolutely phenomenal. It is astounding. It radiates depth with its recurrent and overlapping layers of musical and spiritual penetration to the heart of our spirit. DC*B takes it to another level. I thought that Illuminate would be hard to top, but this album blows it away in it's stretching of the boundaries of modern worship and just plain stretches the boundaries of music! This is the best CD of the year and I wonder if it can be topped by Crowder next time? We'll have to wait and see. Below see summaries of the parts:
Part A: This part is the natural progression from Illuminate and is in the safe zone. "Wholly Yours" is a beautiful worship song with a great contrast between the words "holy" and "wholly". "Foreverandever, etc" sounds somewhat like "No One Like You" and is an instant favorite (and stays in your head!).
Part B: Takes it to the next level with "A Beautiful Collision" as DC*B mixes in more layers of loops, programming, guitars, piano and other instruments to create an incredibly full sound. The lyrical depth is also amazing. Then in the middle Crowder reminds you that their band is from Texas by busting out some bluegrass and country stylings!
Part C: Is the highlight of the album. "Do Not Move" is the most amazing song I have heard. The future of modern worship is this. Amazing depth of lyrics, yet with simple words. Then "Come Awake" comes and it is so powerful! And you think it can't be topped and "You are My Joy" bursts on the scene with it's minor key start but burst into a soaring melody and chorus which really symbolizes how joy comes even in the midst of sorrow. Incredible song. Part C keeps going with an old hymn that starts with a acoustic riff that will remind many of "Heaven Came Down" and then again soars to the chorus of "Our Happy Home."
Part D: Finishes it off well. "Rescue is Coming" is another soaring ballad with crescendo at the end and fades out. The conversation track is interesting the first time but could be skipped later. Typical DC*B humor. The last song is really about their not being an ending. It seems to portray that we not only sing with their songs but our song comes from our hearts and goes on and on to our Savior!!!
This album was not made to please the "pop" mass but the creativity and intricate weaving of instrument and prose is a beautiful expression of worship to the One who created us to be creative, our God! Thanks DC*B for allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire you to create this masterpiece! (P.S. you gotta get this CD!)"
Crowder is a "freakin' genius"!!
Jacob Peterson | Fargo, ND USA | 09/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have read both of the other reveiws and agree with both that David Crowder*Band is one of the most prominent voices in Christian music and in the realm of "worship leading" he is among the top of the list when it comes to national-level artists. But this is where I will part ways with the other reviewers to this point.
I want to set the record straight... I am not a "yes man". I only say something is "good" if it really is good. If it is only "good" I am not one to say it is "great"!!!
That being said... I think Collision is FANTASTIC. Yes... it is a little "darker"... and has some more drive to it... but if you just sit and listen to it... and listen to the words... it is wierd... in a way that is so amazing. There is a Freedom in how Crowder is teaching really SOLID BIBLICAL TRUTH! There are so many different things going on... i think the 42 second interludes are places for my brain to catch up with the experience of the music. Crowder is bringing a musicallity and renewal to the stagnant "christian contemporary music" scene that is sorely needed! He, along with other leader worshippers (Tomlin, Redman, Shane & Shane, United, etc.) are bringing a "breath of fresh air" to the world of Christian Music.
I won't lie to you... it is kinda "wierd"... but if you just sit and listen... and ask... it will blow you away! Just give it a spin!
"
A poet becomes an artist for his maker.
T. Gibson | Detroit | 10/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I spent a lot of time waiting to review this newest offering from the the David Crowder Band, because I wanted to make sure that I gave it enough time to let the hype die and the music set in.
For those who have been following Crowder's work like I have, I truly believe that you will be blown away by how much this band has truly grown. After listening to it all the way through for the first time I found myself wanting to go back and listen with the kind of intensity a student would read a great work.
The opening of the album starts with an almost "O Brother Where Art Thou" feel to it, until it immediately shifts into a clip of "the lark ascending" by Vaughn Williams. And it's from there that Crowder takes you through what is meant to be an entire thought process, instead of you're average skip to your favorite track CD.
This Album is the kind of total package that Pink Floyd's Dark side of the moon brings (one example that seems almost Floyd inspired would be the track "alarm" that intro's with a quiet alarm buzzer going off). Fine individually, but really meant to be enjoyed as a whole.
But please don't worry those of you who are fans of "Illuminate." Crowder and the boys don't drift too far with the excellent and bound for your church's praise team "Wholly Yours."
He also brings on a great collection of driving fun songs with tracks like "foreverandever Etc." and "Beautiful Collision."
Many years ago, when the band was still playing at DC/LA I emailed one the guitarists of the band and asked him what the purpose of being a Christian musician. He answered me within the day (a courtesy I'll not soon forget) with "My purpose is to aspire closer to my God and to develop the craft that He has given for His purposes."
This album is certainly a piece of brilliance and a great step for this group of artists who are in pursuit of the heart of their God.
May you think of our God and "wake up" as the band calls out and think only of our God's glory.