Search - Pillar :: Broken Down: The Ep

Matina S. from SPRINGFIELD, VT
Reviewed on 8/31/2006...

A very impresive acoustic ep from pillar

Amazing Acoustic Stuff

D. Hill | IL, United States | 03/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pillar really showcases their talent in this CD. With four cuts live and unplugged, a hit rock song, an added acoustic studio version of "Further From Myself," and enhanced DVD features (including the video for "Further From Myself") these guys absolutely shine. The passion and intimacy of these songs really come out when Pillar breaks them down into an acoustic form. For instance, the great rock song "A Shame" sounds fantastic when they break it down and do it without all of the crunching guitars. The passion in Rob's voice bring chills to my body when he sings, "Don't be afraid to take a stand. / It's a shame to be ashamed - to be ashamed of the One that we should glorify. / You are afraid of the price you'll pay. / Will you be strong or walk away? / You're reasons are runnin' thin. / All that's left to do is give in. / Inside this generation of sin, there's only one place to begin. / And it's at the starting line - or you will be left behind. / You say it's hard to believe in something you can't see. / A choice you make today will affect you eternally."



The vocals and the lyrics really stand out throughout this whole EP. Rob has an excellent voice. This really shows in "Light at My Feet," which is based off of the bible verse that says "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Rob says on an enhanced feature on this CD that he tried to bring that theme "to a new generation in a new way." Another way that you can tell how good these guys perform live is that the live version of "Further From Myself" is just as strong as the acoustic studio version of it (the studio version was the single). This song is a great ballad which is based on James 4:8, which says "Draw near to the Lord and he will draw near to you." With so much emotion, Rob sings to God, our maker and creator, "I'm further, further from myself / When I'm next to You / When I run to You / ...With You inside my heart You...have erased [my] selfishness and foolish pride. / And I admit that when I submit to You, I can see all of the selfish things I do."



Fireproof, the hit rock single, is the last acoustic song that they do unplugged. This one is another great rock song that sounds really well in acoustic form. If all of this is not enough, the band saves the best for last. To close out the CD, a new hard rock song (at the time of the 2003 release), "Bring Me Down," is a song done in the studio. A remixed version of this song is on the 2004 album "Where Do We Go From Here," and became a huge hit to Christian rock radio, in addition to a decent amount of play on mainstream rock radio. Let me tell you, if you like rock music, this EP is worth the money for this song alone. "Bring Me Down" became my new favorite song when I got this EP. I couldn't stop listening to it. It is so infectious and it has everything Pillar is known for as a rock band.



In addition to the great songs on this EP, there are also some great extras when you pop this CD into your computer. Along with the video for the hit single, "Further From Myself," the enhanced features include a great photo gallery of the band, and song explanations by Rob. So, overall, this is a great EP, especially for the low price."

This is how you do an EP

pillar38 | Montgomery, IL | 04/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent acoustic EP from a normally hard rock band. They really prove their songwriting skills when they break down some songs from their last full-length CD, "Fireproof." Rob's vocals are great, and the songs sound very good, even as four of the tracks are recorded live. This EP is definitely a good buy, whether you like hard rock, or if you like softer stuff. If you like Pillar's harder rocking stuff, the last song on this EP, "Bring Me Down," (this one is not live or acoustic), is just what you are looking for. It is an amazing song to hold you over until Pillar's next full-length, "Where Do We Go From Here," which comes out on June 15, 2004. I would go so far as to say that this is Pillar's best hard rock song to date."