Never for Nothing - CCM Record Reviews archive F
FALLING UP : Exit Lights. (Bec : Bed63561)
Well, this must be the strangest album that I've come across for some time. Is it punk, is it rock, is it urban hip hop, or is it - as I think - an interesting experiment of all musical styles? It all starts off in an Evanesence sort of style, but with a male vocal taking the lead. The opening two tracks are both lengthy but quite good. "Broken Heart" subtitled "Ghosts of Seaside" is a prayer of worship, which is then followed by a short instrumental piece featuring nothing but a few sound effects. Featuring Solomon Olds from Family Force 5, "Moonlit" (neon Predator) falls into the hip hop category and almost into "Jesus Freak" territory. The style changes again with "Bittersweet" (A Jedi Force), as synthesizer sounds come to the fore. The most commercial track has to be "Searchlights". It's a good song and I can see it getting a lot of radio play. In their lighter moments, Falling Up sounded very much like a recent album by Leeland but overall, for me, it's an experiment that doesn't seem to have worked. 5/10 (March 2007)
FERNANDO ORTEGA : The Breaking Of The Dawn. (Myrrh : 701257268).
Fernando who? Well, we won't be asking that question for long,
if this release is anything to go by! It's the first time in a
long while since I wanted to give an album 11/10. How I missed
his debut 'This Bright Hour' is beyond me, and there's no wonder
it won him a 1998 Dove Award. This new release is just filled
with superb music and lyrics that tell of his life and God's influence
in it. Hints of Michael Card cast a magic musical spell on the
listener, with songs like 'Creation Song' and 'Lord Of Eternity'
being so beautiful. The 'Road Song' is just out of this world
and the meditational intrumental 'Don't Take Me...' is breathtaking.
Soft and gentle, is the only way that I can describe 'When All
Mercies...'and I really think that this album should be a compulsary
purchase. 10/10. (November 1998, Album of the Month)
FERNANDO ORTEGA : Home. (Myrrh : 7012685263)
Fernando Ortega is described as a 'veteran pianist and songwriter'
but it's only the last couple of years that I've caught up with
this talented man. Opening with the simple praise of "This
Good Day", Ortega shows that - despite the passing years
- he isn't afraid to experiment with more modern, upbeat sounds.
His mellow, warm vocals are almost hypnotic, and songs like "Lonely
Road" and "Winter Song" are sheer magic. The haunting
background vocals of Kelly Willard and Cathy Schreiner only add
to the brilliance of the finished product, which should appeal
to fans of Michael Card. Classic hymns "Give Me Jesus"
and "Pass Me Not" are given bright, new arrangements
but new songs such as "on the Line" and "Virgina
Rose" should not be forgotten. The former sounds like Simon
& Garfunkle, while the latter, complete with superb fiddles,
reminded be of Eden Burning. Easy listening? Yes, and it's lovely.
9/10. (May 2000)
FERNANDO ORTEGA : Live - The Home Tour. (Myhrr : 080688610234)
Let's get one thing straight from the start, a Fernando Ortega
concert video is never going to be a visual extravaganza of special
fx or screaming audiences. What you do get though is a brilliant
pianist/songwriter, a tight array of backing musicans, and a video
full of worship and love for his Saviour. As you might guess,
most of the songs played are taken from his "Home" album,
but one or two others do creep in along the way. "This Good
Day" is one that I've personally played a lot over the last
few months and it was really nice to sit and watch the man actually
perform such a great song. The concert takes a little while for
both the man himself and the audience to warm to each other but,
once they do, there's a great rapport and bond. Between songs,
his quiet humour comes out and provides another insight into a
man who is not so well know in the UK. If you like his albums,
you'll love the video but, if you've not yet caught up with Fernando,
try this. Over 90 minutes of video footage with songs that will
gently inspire and bring you closer to God. 9/10. (April 2001)
FERNANDO ORTEGA : Storm. (Word : 403610024115)
For his 10th studio album, Fernando Ortega looks at the storms
of life that we pass through, and how certain people get through
them. Here's a guy who's albums never disappoint me. You know
the easy going style, yet each new release is different to the
last. I instantly fell in love with the first track called "Traveller".
It's mellow and calming sound is a prayer to the Lord for all
those who travel or/and go astray. That's followed by an excellent
duet with Amy Grant as they sing "Come Ye Sinners, Poor And
Needy" - very beautiful indeed. Fernando then up's the tempo
for a foot tapper, "Light of Heaven" and follows that
with the title track. If you've never come across this brilliant
artist then the nearest comparison I can give you is Michael Card.
There again, as Card depicts Bible truths, Ortega writes about
those truths in everyday situations. "This Time Next Year"
is sung about yearly family gatherings and all that can happen
during that time. There's an assurance that, although apart, God
is always with us and makes us feel together. An album to relax
and meditate with, an to share with others in need. 9/10. (March 2002, Album of the Month)
FERNANDO ORTEGA : Hymns of Worship. (Word : WD2A-886247)
I always smile to myself whenever I receive one of Fernando Ortega's
records to review. Why? Because, I'm rarely disappointed by the
content, and his music never fails to bring a warmth within. This
Cd sees him collect the best of his own compositions of hymns
and worship songs, together with one or two well known tunes.
"Creation Song" is a lovely song and I remember it well
from it's original release. "Children of the Living God"
is sung in a nursery rhyme style, while "All Creatures of
Our God & King" has a distinct marching fell to it. The
latter is of highest quality and very uplifting to the soul. Your
not going to get any rock n' roll from Fernando, but what he does
best is to quietly tell a story such as the gentle "Jesus,
King of Angels". He's received two Dove Awards and had six
No.1 hit radio singles, yet he remains, in the UK, one of the
greatest undiscovered talents. 9/10. (April 2003)
FERNANDO ORTEGA : The Shadow of Your Wings. (Curb : 8789522)
As a great fan of Fernando's music over the years, I have to say that I was a little disappointed by this new release. Previously, he's married intricate tunes with catchy lyrics and choruses to bring together a delightful mix of songs. Here, he concentrates on worship, with quiet songs of meditation and prayer. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood for this when I reviewed it, but the songs quietly drifted past me. "Grace & Peace" is just that. It's a graceful little number and has peace written right the way through it. "All Flesh is Like the Grass" and Let the Words of My Mouth" float quietly by. "Come, Let Us Worship" is a medium paced number that calls on us to bow down to God, while Fernando then goes on to give a nice version of "All Creatures of Our God and King". His own interpretation of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" comes next, and I'm sure it will meet with approval even by the staunchest supporter of old hymns. I don't think that this is a particularly brilliant album, but these are the words and songs of a man who truly knows what it is to live for God. 7/10 (May 2007)
FEW LEFT STANDING : Wormwood. (Solid State Records)
After hearing this album you can definitely tell why they are
named 'Few Left Standing'. Definitely not a band for the feint-hearted
as their adrenalin packed music throws everything at you; insane
drumming, screaming vocals and amazing guitar riffs that will
leave your ears ringing. If you don't listen to the lyrics it
is hard to imagine that they are a Christian band, purely because
it is not the stereotypical Christian-rock that we have come to
know. However when you actually listen to what is being said in
the songs, you can tell that they are really trying to get the
message across in a way that today's youth can relate to. With
more and more young people listening to bands such as 'Slipknot'
and 'Linkin Park', it is a perfect time for bands like 'Few Left
Standing' to get out there. As I went to look on www.fls-online.com
to see if they had any previous releases I sadly discovered that
'Few Left Standing' has now split up to concentrate on other areas
of their ministry. Nevertheless, in spite of this split, Wormwood
is definitely worth a listen for those hard-rock fans. 8/10.
Richard Howlett. (June 2002)
FEW LEFT STANDING : Regeneration Of Self. (Solid State Records) www.solidstaterecords.com
I reviewed "Wormwood", the band's previous release,
and, being the intrepid reporter that I am, tracked down their
website. I did enjoy their last release and so it was to my utter
dismay that I found out they had split up! So here I am with their
next release… Ok, so somehow I messed up. But at least we
get another album and that's all that matters. Now I'm not usually
a fan of screamed vocals that you can't really understand, as
I usually like the kind of lyrics you can sing along to. However
there will be no sitting round the campfire singing the likes
of "Blistered Spirit" or "Tears Of A Fallen Man".
The offerings from this band may not be to my usual liking but
there is just something about them that captivates the ears. What's
more the music is not just a backing for these intense vocals
from Christopher Stafford, it matches his ferocity beat for beat,
you only have to listen to some of the drumming on "Restoration"
to discover this. Combined with the impressive guitar and bass
work this makes for a very good album. Like I said last time,
not for the feint-hearted but an extremely good tool in spreading
the good news to the youth of today. 8/10 Rik Howlett. (October 2003)
FFH : I Want to Be Like You. (Essential : 83061-0498-2)
Three guys and a girl make up this Crowded House style band, with
a twelve song album that is uncluttered, and very well produced.
The songs are based on acoustic guitar, which are then cleverly
added to, making a very polished end product. The tracks themselves
are quite strong throughout without being spectacular. "One
of These Days" starts things off, followed by "Take
Me As I Am" - a cry to Jesus - both bouncing along at a steady
pace. The title track is in a similar, easy, vein, but "I'm
Alright" leans more towards the lbues, andis a turn off as
far as this reviewer is concerned. The male vocalist works better
than the female and "Wholly To You" shows him in great
form, with a beautiful song. As I say, not a spectacular release
but certainly one of the better offerings on show this month.
With a debut like this, FFH should be around for some time to
come. 8/10. (April 1999)
FFH : Still the Cross. (Essential Records)
It's a while since we've heard from FFH, but the wait has really
been worthwhile. This is one of the best pop praise albums that
I've heard for a long time. There's loads of catchy hooks and
the guitar playing just has a certain edge. There's so many potential
radio hits on this album it's one glorious song after another.
"You'll Drive I'll Ride" would be my pick of the bunch,
but it's a hard decision t make, because the songs are just so
good all the way through. "Without You" praises God
for all He does in our lives, including those things that we take
for granted. "Still the Cross" is contemporary praise
at it's best while, the knowing that God is with you, every moment
of the day, comes to the fore on "In This Moment". There's
a theme of personal relationship running throughout the listing,
but it's not just God that's praised. A loved one is given praise,
too, on the delicious "Another Day With You". Believe
me, it will be hard to find a better pop praise album out at the
moment. 10/10. (January 2005)
FICTION FACTORY : Fiction Factory. (EMI)
This is a difficult CD to place, Acoustic guitar led rock music probably is the best way to describe it, but it has influences from so many different people in the music. It's actually a really interesting album, the opening track "When She's Near" has some very nice harmonies on it, and there is a definite mid '60's Beatles sound to them. Then the next couple of tracks are very much in the style of "Crowded House" "War in the Blood" is very Simon & Garfunkel, and the final track "Look For My Baby" is pure Bob Dylan, and yet with all this acoustic music there's the occasional sound effect thrown in that Pink Floyd would be proud of. The variation of styles seems to keep this CD fresh, and unlike a lot of acoustic albums, it doesn't run out of steam half way through. You could stick this on just as background music, or you could sit down and listen to it in detail. Certainly one of the best CD's I've heard for a while. You can get it from here. http://store2.bandfarm.com/fiction-family 8/10 Andy Sayner. (February 2009)
FIGHTING INSTINCT : Fighting Instinct. (Gotee Records)
Fighting Instinct are a new American band from the good ol' US of A. Gotee have a good pedigree for finding fresh, innovative talent and providing the world with ear candy, but unfortunately this record is more miss than hit. First though, the positives: T.J. Harris (vocals and guitars) has a searing vocal which, like his apparent idol Eddie Vedder's, will never go out of style. While Fighting Instinct are by no means simply a Pearl Jam/Creed/Lifehouse etc copy cat band, Harris's vocal stylings do, for the most part, give rise to that obvious comparison. However, there is diversity in this record. Beginning with the slightly Eastern sounding rifforama of "I Found Forever", with its Zeppelin-esque overtones to "You Don't Know", the album's standout cut, which sounds closer to grunge, all the way through to closer "Just to Please You", "Fighting Instinct" showcases an obviously talented and tight band, with some top production from the ever-dependable Skidd Mills. Sadly, though, there's virtually nothing which could be called "new" or fresh on this record and it is therefore difficult to see it truly standing out amongst the plethora of Christian rock releases of 2006. Solid, but disappointingly unspectacular. 7/10 Haydon Spenceley. (January 2007)
FINCHLEY : No Clouds. (ICC : FM0002)
For those of you not up to date with the UK Christian music scene, Ian Finch is currently cutting his teeth as a solo artist after years of being part of the Liverpool outfit Supervision. This son of a Baptist minister has taken a few risks and produced an entertaining, if not spectacular, debut in the adult rock scene. After a solid opening couple of tracks, he gets into the purple patch of the album which begins with the energy of 'This Journey'. There's some good guitar work in this song, and the same can be said later on in proceedings with 'Prodigal'. My favourite track has to be 'Contraflow', a song about growing up as a man. Musically, it reaches into the territory of A-Ha, and the vocals really work well. Of the other songs, 'Sun Spots' is worth a mention, as is the closing 'Struggle On'. It's as if God were crying to one of His lost sheep, struggling with life under their own steam. I found it wistful, yet quite moving at the same time. For a debut album, there's a bright future predicted for Finchley and I'm sure he will only improve with time. 7/10. (June 2008)
FINE CHINA : You Make Me Hate Music. (Tooth & Nail Records)
Yeah … me too. Cheap joke I know, and probably unfair, but
by the time this album reached the end of its first play I was
about ready to chew my own foot off!! To be fair to Fine China,
there is nothing here that I would describe as "bad",
it is just terribly dull and lives, musically, in about 1985.
Half the tracks sound just like "The Cure", another
couple like "The Smiths" and even one like Hull's "The
Housemartins". If you were into those bands (and I never
was) you may well like this album but, for me, it doesn't get
out of 2nd gear. Subjective tastes aside, the major irritation
is one of production. The vocalist "can't sing" in the
same way that Robert Smith (of "The Cure") "can't
sing" and it suits the backing quite well, but his quiet
voice just gets lost in the jangly guitars, and it is impossible
to hear what he is singing about - something that is very high
up my list of priorities where Christian music is concerned. On
the positive side, the middle two tracks ("You were a Saint"
and "Boo to the Freaks") are pretty good, and break
the general monotony by introducing some nice acoustic guitar
playing. Unfortunately, whichever way you look from there it is
downhill all the way. 4/10 David Cooper (June 2002)
THE FIONA SIMPSON BAND : Seasoned With Salt. (Private Recording)
Details from: Brenda Adams, 15 Foxhall Road, Timperley, Cheshire,
WA15 6RW).
By their own admission, The Fiona Simpson Band are not really
going to have mass appeal to your run of the mill teenager or
person in their early 20's. But, for the last 3 years, the four
members of the group have played God's music to countless folk
around the UK. The album was made as a result of pressure from
concert audiences and part financed by faithful supporters. If
you're going to pick a fault, then the overall production is not
quite in the same league as, say, Avalon. There again, we're only
talking about a budget which is a fraction of that used by our
Atlantic brothers & sisters, and that should be taken into
account. What you get is 10 tracks that cover such songs as "Champion
of the World", Sir Cliff's "From a Distance", and
"Come and See". Fiona's vocals are very much in the
Marilla Ness style (recorded at the same studio) and are very
warming to the ear. I really loved the version of "We Are
More Than Conquerors" and will continue to play it over and
over again. Graham Kendrick's "Thorns in the Straw"
is simply beautiful and the clever delivery of Phil Collins' "Another
Day in Paradise" gives the listener a sense of peace and
tranquillity that only God can give. A lovely album. 8/10.
(May 1999)
THE FIONA SIMPSON BAND : All About Love. (Private CD £11;
Cassette £7 inc p&p from: Tel: England 0161 928 6672.
E-mail: brenda-adams@ukgateway.net)
Radio 1 listeners and local IRL Station listeners will, no doubt,
turn away from this release. However, for those of us who like
the more melodic tones of Radio 2 and BBC Stations, the new FSB
album will go down like tea and scones on a June afternoon. Hopefully,
that June afternoon will be bright and sunny, because that is
just what this release reminds me of. The content is a mixture
of cover versions and originals, the latter showing just how the
band members, themselves, are beginning to mature. The opening
"Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Again" is a Kendrick
number that immediately shows off the warmth and depth of Fiona's
vocals. "Shout For Justice" is the first 'home grown'
offering and is, perhaps, the weakest track on offer. Sentiments
about N. Ireland and Bosnia are touching but the finished article
sounds rather dis-jointed. However, "Why Me?" proves
that their songwriting talent is emerging with this gentler sound.
Concerts over the last 12 months have only served to improve the
musicianship of the FSB and, together, they prove a solid outfit.
"I Saw You There" is a catchy little thing that I had
never heard of before, and "All You Have To Do", is
a lovely song with a simple message on how to accept the Lord
in your life. 9/10 (May 2000)
THE FIONA SIMPSON BAND : Dance. (CD : www.thefionasimpsonband.co.uk)
How lovely it is to hear the warm and charming voice of Fiona, accompanied by
the band, in fine form once more. Following a nasty bout of pneumonia, Fiona has
recovered well to give her best on this new release. To me, the track listing
sounds more like a live gig set. It begins with the bouncy "All that You are"
which is followed by the Beth Nielsen Chapman/Eric Kaz song "All I Have is All I
Need". The band seem to have looked at a few country influences this time as
Leanne Womack's wonderful "I Hope you Dance" is also included. Original
songwriting continues to improve from the band and Fiona, along with Brian Adams
(no, not that Brian Adams) present the teriffic "Resurrection Angel". Likewise,
Graham Jackson's "Love Flowed Over Me" has a wonderful quality, as the Lord is
praised for all His goodness. The FSB continue to minister to the easy listening
audiences up and down the country, but this new album does see them successfully
stretch themselves both musically and lyrically. 8/10. (November 2003)
THE 500 SERIES : Volume 5. (Kingsway : KMCD2432)
My second triple box set review this month, consists of "50
of the most popular praise & worship songs sung in churches
today. On these sort of compilations, you usually find the same
musicians and singers appearing time after time, and this is no
exception. Simon Goodall, Ingrid DuMosch, and Calvin Bottoms all
flex their vocal talents, while Andrew Green's keyboard and programming
techniques beef up the music. As for the songs, there's nothing
to really dislike, it just depends on your preference of church
music. There's too many songs to list individually here but I
did enjoy hearing the likes of "So Freely", and Be Still
and Know" for the first time in ages. Then, there's "I
Will Call Upon the Lord" and "Holy Holy", both
great songs in their own right. My only other advice would be
to check out the full listing before buying and weigh up just
how many of the songs you like. 6/10. (July 2003)
FLAME : Our World Redeemed. (CMR : 8-81413-00302-0)
This is the second instalment in Flame's two-part audio novel, and sequel to his album 'Our World : Fallen'. The two-part album captures the story of Flame befriending a non-believer and pointing him to the cross of Christ, while examining the fallen condition of the world. This second part sees Flame teaching and encouraging his friend in Christian life, from ethical values to Biblical principles, and certainly the lyrics are sound. Influenced by the hip hop culture, Flame seems to have gone for the Eminem approach of vocal delivery. I got the feeling of a lot of aggression in songs like 'Who Can Pluck Us' and 'Hold On'. I'm not sure if this type of music is still big time in the States, but listening to the current UK charts, I don't hear a lot of music to compare this too. 'On the Cross' talks about Jesus dying for us, while '2nd Coming' depicts just that and asks if you're ready for Jesus' return. I think I'm right in saying that Flame's delivery is every bit as good as similar artists in the past. I just wonder if it's, now, a bit dated? 6/10. (April 2008)
FLOW : Sense (ICY/ICC : ICCD21230).
I first bumped into this lot at last year's JAM Festival and filmed
a couple of songs, they were quite impressive. This album has
now been dusted, polished, and fine tuned by ICC and it is a good
debut. Today's music critics will liken them to Sleeper but I,
as a mature student of the arts, think they've got the Blondie
panache. "I Never Said" has that such style about it,
crossed with the Brit feel that I think it's Top 10 material.
Nesse Hodges' vocals carry an eerie resemblance to Debbie Harry
and this shines out on "Limelighter". "Zion"
is another strong song which is only one of many that is driven
by purposeful guitars and rhythms. With the right media push,
I can sense Flow growing. 8/10. (July 1997)
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY : For Such A Time As This. (Starsong :7243 82021520).
The first album in this series "Renewing the Heart"
not only ministered to many, but also won a Dove Award for the
best Praise & Worship release. Here, Kim Hill is, once again,
the woman at the forefront of things for this second collection.
With contributions from writers such as Matt Redman, Martin smith,
and Brian Doerksen, we're treated to songs and hymns, old and
new. In typical fashion, the album begins with a couple of fine
bouncy praises. "Come, Now Is the Time To Worship" sets
things off, and "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name" continues
the great feeling of what it really means to be a child of God.
You know the formula with these live albums and everything is
just what you expect. They slow things down for some gentle worship,
and then it's back to the joyful sounds of "For Such A Time
As This" and, my favourite, "I Could Sing of Your Love
Forever". Apart from the dreadful version of "Blessed
Assurance", all the old songs are given just respect and
delivered well. Another successful release. 9/10. (July 1999)
FOCUSFEST 2000 : Thank You For the Cross. (Kingsway : KMCD2281)
4200 ladies met together from many churches in Ireland and from
other parts of the world, to worship and hear God's word at this
ecumenical event, Focusfest 2000. Geraldine Latty, once again,
skillfully leads worship combining a superb collection of, mostly,
modern p&w songs. The album opens with an old favourite "Amazing
Grace", and then "All Heaven Declares" (Noel &
Tricia Richards). My favourite track comes next, "Lord, I
Come", written by Latty herself. This is a beautiful, heartfelt,
prayerful song. It is the most recently written song on the album
and, therefore, I had not heard it before. There's a good selection
of songs, put together well, and well supported by the singing
and music. Writers such as Matt Redman, Stuart Townend, and Graham
Kendrick, all feature on an album that mixes quiet and reflective
times with lively numbers such as "Lord I Lift Your Name".
All in all, a very nice, live worship album. 9/10. Pam Robinson. (December 2000)
FOCUSFEST 2001 : The Sound of Grace. (Kingsway : KMCD2349)
When 5000 women join in exuberant praise and intimate worship,
it can only be the sound of a live recording from this year's
Focusfest Event. Led by Geraldine Latty, there's also contributions
by Maire Brennan and Kristyn Lennox. Using Celtic, gospel, traditional
and contemporary styles of music, this is an album that the male
population will also enjoy. It's a little slow to get started
but once you've listened to the medley of "What Can Wash
Away My Sin" and "Have You Been to Jesus", you'll
be worshipping along with the rest of the album. Brennan sings
a lovely version of "O Jesus Friend Unfailing" in that
old folk style while "Over All the Earth" will have
you singing it for days. Using a good celtic drum beat, there's
a new feel to that old favourite "Praise to the Lord God
Almighty". "Forgiven" is sung with such feeling
by Lennox and accompanied by the gentle piano playing of Jonathan
Rea. So, whether you're male or female, this album should fulfill
everyone's taste in praise and worship. 9/10.
(November 2001)
FOCUSFEST : Perfect Love. (Kingsway : KMCD2652)
More than 2000 women from Ireland and beyond gathered
together in Belfast for the annual Focusfest event to explore
themes of identity, intimacy and impacting their communities for
Jesus. Under the leadership of Geraldine Latty, this album captures
a glimpse of the celebration and awe that was experienced within
the worship as the women expressed their thankfulness and praise
to the God of perfect love. There's something about an album of
pure female voices that results in a freshness in the sound and
the album itself seems to gather momentum as the listing proceeds.
"Almighty God My Redeemer" and "Everlasting God"
are two early highlights but it's "Jesus Hope of the Nations"
which really sets this recording alight. From then on, the songs
literally jump out at you, embracing you in the Father's love
and soaking you with the spirit. The accapella version of "Immortal
Invisible" is very moving, while "Faithful One"
exudes a warmth of praise. Certainly, this is one recording worth
adding to your praise and worship collection. 8/10. (December 2005)
Focusfest 2007 - There is a Higher Throne (Kingsway KMCD2820)
As the title suggests, this CD is a live recording from the annual Focusfest women's event held in Belfast with Bristol based Geraldine Latty leading worship as she has done successfully for a number of years. The tracks are well known CCM with such modern classics as Townend/Getty's "In Christ Alone", "Strength Will Rise (Everlasting God)" and Matt Redman's "Blessed be Your Name". The Irish influence is never far away in most songs, with some great fiddle & penny whistle motives dotted around giving it a bit of a lift from the otherwise quite bland arrangements. Don't get me wrong; the band play well together & vocals are OK, but there's a bit more of a lift needed to appeal more to those listening to the recording. I have no doubt the event itself was fantastic & that the 2000+ women there were greatly blessed by the worship, but it just doesn't translate too well onto CD. Personally I have very mixed feelings about live worship albums; I have heard some real corkers with great & passion where listening is about as close to actually being there. Others however are somehow missing that vital depth element which is the case here, which makes it pretty average as a recording. 5/10 Simon Redfern (January 2008)
FONO : Goes Around Comes Around. (Reunion : 02341 0011 2)
Ever since these guys were picked to play support to Bon Jovi
in Milton Keynes, it seemed certain that it was just a matter
of time before they made it big, in Christian Music. With all
songs written by Guitarist and vocalist, Del Currie, this is the
big debut. What's it like? It's like Jars of Clay meets Radiohead,
with Therapy overtones. It's loud, and it's quiet. It's brash,
and it's bold. "Under My Skin" is an obvious track for
a single and would go down well on both sides of the Atlantic.
Driving guitars run alongside Currie's raw vocals in a cocophony
of radio rock. "Something Must Be Happening" continues
in similar vain but "Strangest Thing" slows things down
for the first time. It's aplodding number that is very Radiohead,
although not an instant favourite. The obligatory acoustic rocker
comes in at track 7, "Now She's 24", a number that tells
of a girl full of hurt finally giving her life to Jesus. It really
is a bout time that another British band took the CCM market by
storm and, with the Gig Guy's help, Fono could well be the ones.
8/10. (November 1998)
FONO : Too Broken to Break. (H5D Records H5DCD02. www.fono.net )
It seems to have been ages since I came across a Christian CD with a bit of energy about it, but this one certainly has that in large doses. I know that in the CCM press Fono are being talked about very positively, and this CD shows why. It's non stop Rock and Roll from start to finish, and I enjoyed every track. The final track "January Rose" was the most outstanding song for me, maybe because the intro reminded me a lot of the Beatles "Tomorrow never knows" as it has the same rhythm, and one of the other tracks has a keyboard riff in it which is reminiscent of The Motors "Airport". The words are well thought out, and I would think that most people would be able to identify with something on here. There are some tracks off this CD on Fono's Myspace page so have a listen for yourself, Without a doubt though, this has to be the best CD I've reviewed for a long while. 10/10 Andy Sayner. (July 2008)
4 HIM : Obvious. (Benson : 84418-2205-2).
Four guys, and four superb voices are the main product behind
the name 4 Him. Actually, it's the first time that I've come across
them and I was expecting a rather dull offering, judging by the
cover photograph. But, as the saying goes, never judge a book
by it's cover! Some lovely vocal harmonies are backed by the cream
of US session musicians to give a good, finished product. I had
to look closely at the songwriting credits as on numerous occasions,
I could swear it sounded like ex-ELO man, Jeff Lynne. 'Songs and
Wonders' being just one of those to instantly make the mark. 'Let
the Lion Run Free' is more US pop and a strong number to start.
The album tends to fade towards the end, with the funky 'Who's
at the Wheel' sounding distinctly odd compared to the rest of
the songs. Ballads such as 'Great Awakening' and 'The Hand of
God' will make sure that 4 Him have a hit record on their hands.
8/10. (September 1998)
4 HIM : Best Ones. (Benson : 84418-2395-2)
Nine years since their first album, and seven albums to their
credit, 4 Him have now produced a collection of greatest hits.
I have to admit that when I was asked to review this CD, I had
never heard of this band before. I am pleased, however, that I
was asked as they are good and have produced a quality recording,
with excellent vocals, music, and lyrics. I would compare their
sound with some of the boy bands in the charts at the moment.
My favourite track is "The Basics of Life", a similar
sound to Boyzone - my husband disagrees, he says they are better
than Boyzone. I also track 9 "Before the River Came".
The words are soul searching and I imagine they would echo the
feelings of most Christians. The whole album is good and well
worth listening to. 9/10. Pam Robinson. (July 1999)
4 HIM : Walk On. (Word : 080688615321)
As producer Brent Bourgois says on the sleeve notes, 4 Him are
"the finest man band in a sea of boy bands". Quite a
claim, but one that seems to have stood the test of time. Indeed,
time and again, this quartet have come up with polished, God centred
pop music that just draws you in to the sincerity and passion
of the band. The slick harmonies are on show throughout but shine
even brighter on tunes like "Let The Healing Begin"
and "The Waiting". "Surrender" is 'pop perfect'
- what a brilliant song. I cringed a little on the rocky "I
Know you Now" as it felt really out of character to the rest
of the track listing but that was soon forgotten as the guys belt
out classics such as "One Foot in the Water" and "Eyes
of the World". The only other disappointment was the closing
"Love Boomerang" which got a bit bluesy and a messy
towards the end. Otherwise, another hit for 4 Him. 9/10. (April 2002)
4 HIM : Visible. (Word Records)
4 Him are four good old American boys who have constantly made
good pop albums over the last few years, such as the excellent
"Walk On". "Visible" continues the success
story but relies, somewhat, on a format, perhaps, too similar
to the last two releases. "Fill the Earth" is the strongest
cut on offer and is very radio friendly. I can see that being
a No.1 hit all over the US. There's a happy feel about "the
Final Word", as well as the slow stomping "Candle in
the Rain". The usual harmonies work well and the musical
background is sound without being OTT. The title track and "Let
Your Kingdom Come" are rather weak in presentation but, otherwise,
it's another polished affair. 7/10 (January 2004)
FOR THE SAKE OF THE LOST - Passion and Purpose Worship Series.
(ICC Records)
Expectations were high, and I got the distinct impression that
this was going to be a Vineyard-like CD, which meant that it was
going to have a lot to live up to. Featuring the Worship Leaders
from the Detling Summer Conference, (which I must admit to having
never heard of before). The album starts well enough, with a meaty
guitar intro to the first song "Whatever it Takes",
which is a good, strong and well put together, as is the second
"My God is Strong", - although it never quite reaches
the same level. After that, it all goes a bit downhill I'm afraid,
with only one other song, "Everybody, Everywhere" really
worthy of mention. Having begun strongly, it loses it's edge,
the guitar disappearing well back into the mix to be replaced
by piano and keyboard. This means that the whole thing slips into
standard worship album mode, and a little too clichéd for
my taste, offering nothing in terms of originality. This is a
shame, because I feel that with a little more thought and experimentation,
some of these songs would really shine. The overall feel is not
helped by some of the vocals having a "Cliff Richard"
type quality, which doesn't really suit what I think they are
trying to achieve, or by a female vocal that suffers from some
poor intonation on the higher notes. The vocals, on the whole,
are a bit of a let down. However, one of the biggest mistakes
they make is in ripping themselves off. The hook lines to both
"Mercy" and "Thank You" are practically identical
(and they both sound like a Boyzone song) which is a bit unforgivable.
So sorry folks, I really wanted to like this album, and its only
a few steps away from that, but I couldn't warrant spending my
money on this over the latest Vineyard release. 5/10 Robin
Thompson (December 2003)
FOREVERAFTER : Foreverafter. (Word : 080688597825)
Not too sure what to make of Foreverafter. Sometimes they can
be quite poppy, sometimes they can be downright morbid. Mind you,
on "Holy Spirit" it's dancey, it's club, it's the sort
of thing that wouldn't be lost on any WWMT release. "The
One For Me", on the other hand, is more industrial in sound
and the vocals get a bit lost in the mix. "Oasis" changes
things, yet again, and is a lovely relaxing number with great
vocals and harmonies. Based on Psalm 23 it tells of hope, peace,
and the unconditional love that only God can bring. "You
shouldn't worry about what you don't know, rather what you do
know and how you live", so says "Who You Are".
It's a light pop production but quite effective nonetheless. It's
not a brilliant release but it's not bad either. 7/10. (December 1999)
FOUNDATIONS OF THE FAITH - The Holy Spirit. (Kingsway : KMCD2075).
This record is one of three in a new series exploring the great
themes of the Christian faith. Reflections, Scripture, quotes
and songs help groups or individuals to meditate on the fundamental
aspect of the Gospel. The inlay notes with this release include
extracts from the best selling book by Dr Jack Deere, Surprised
by the Power of the Spirit. The songs themselves contain no surprises
though with 'Purify My Heart', 'Send Us the Rain, Lord', and 'River
of God' being only three of this well known collection. Saying
that, the songs are all carefully and soundly arranged, giving
a first class result.. If you use daily Bible notes, I think that
you will find this album quite helpful but, if not, why not give
this a try? 8/10. (December 1998)
FOUR KORNERZ : Soulectric. (UB1 Music :1903212)
Four Kornerz have recently entered into a groundbreaking tie-up with Youth For Christ, which will see this outrageously talented aggregation showcasing their music and faith to the young people of the nation. Right now, there is no band on the UK scene better placed for this work. Soulectric is a funk-filled 72 minutes of great grooves, soulful vocals and songs which are just plain good. Not "as good as what's on the radio", they're good in their own right. This isn't some 'mainstream alternative', this is something fresh and artistic in its own right. They have all the bases covered: "Soul Flower" and "ClapClap" have dancefloor filling choruses; "Gonna Make It" features some top class rapping, while "Conquerers" slows things down to soulful ballad territory, with some delicious guitar licks. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. This band should be huge. Enjoy the music and support the vision. 9/10. Haydon Spenceley. (September 2007)
FREDDIE BRUNO : The Ballpoint Composer. (Uprock Records: 1708)
Freddie Bruno was one half of a hip hop duo that surfaced in America
during 2000. now, he's on his own and this album features 15 songs,
still in that style. As I've stated many times before, this is
not my favoured style of music but I do try and listen beyond
my personal tastes, and get to what the artist is conveying. The
songs are very much standard - the sort of things you hear on
the radio these days. Nothing seems to really grab your attention
especially, but "Miss Bonita" comes close. If I'm right,
it tells the story of a lady of the night, and why you should
keep away from her. "Rock the Beat Within Your Heart"
tells you to keep the faith, and to do what's right in your heart,
not your head. So, there's messages there and, if he's preaching
to hip hop fans, then Freddie Bruno looks to have got it right.
For me, though, it's just another album. 6/10. (September 2002)
FREE CHAPEL LIVE with Ricardo Sanchez : Moving Forward (Integrity Music 42302)
The name Free Chapel conjures up visions of a small town church but in this case we couldn't be further from the truth. This August release comes live from a 14000 strong multi-cultural church in Georgia USA & that's well - pretty huge! Much of the material is written by worship leader Ricardo Sanchez & the award winning Israel Houghton which means at least the recipes are original, not recycled. The international nature of the congregation is evident from the first song 'Great God' through to 'Celebrate' at the end with Spanish lyrics & salsa rhythms. 'Great God' has a cracking 1 minute intro absolutely bursting with flavours including Arabic rhythms, Indian Sitar accompaniment and a thumping drum rhythm. With the song setting off at such a strong pace however, I couldn't help but be slightly let down by the rest of the tune which although it was a very reasonable live pop worship song, didn't follow on smoothly from the intro. The tunes of 'Say So' and 'Awesome God' follow in a similar vein with energetic pop/rock worship, occasionally bordering on Vineyard styles & slowing down nicely mid-album in typical worship album fashion. The musicianship is excellent throughout with some impressive orchestral arrangements in 'Moving Forward' and vocals are polished from the leaders & the enormous list of backing singers, but even so I just couldn't get over-excited by this CD. Impressive ingredients this CD may have, but I think somehow they were just a little overdone to excite the musical taste buds & set it apart. 5/10 Simon Redfern (December 2007)
FREESLAVE : Project Freedom. (CD £5 & £1.50
postage www.freeslave.org.uk)
Regular readers of NFN will know that Haydon Spenceley is a teenager
who has cerebral palsy and has been given an award by Whizz Kidz,
a national charity who provide mobility aids for disabled children,
and the Millennium Commission to record and produce a CD. The
5 track Cd isn't perfect,let's not deny it, but it does have it's
moments. The opening two songs "Fly" and "Real
Love" are a mix of 70's rock and The Smiths. Indeed, Haydon's
vocals, at times, do have that Morrisey inflection. "All
I Want is You" on the other hand, doesn't work and Haydon's
vocals become quite ragged at times. The music quality needs tightening
a bit but there's nothing to suggest that a few more live gigs
won't put that right. Haydon says that the band aims "to
show the world that whatever ailment or disability a person may
have, or think that they have, be it physical, emotional or whatever,
it is possible to achieve your dreams," and "to show
people the one true way to freedom - through faith in and life
with Jesus.". Freeslave have done just that, and now need
to build on this promising debut. 6/10. (October 2003)
FREESELAVE : Remember the Day. (CD £6.50 from H. Spenceley,
50 Orchard Hill, LittleBilling, Northampton, UK, NN3 9AG).
Freeslave return after last year's debut EP with another recording
featuring 4 tracks. The first is, probably, the strongest, and
most likely to get them more airplay. "Hiding Place"
has a raw freshness and energy that you only get in a smaller
studio, and while the production isn't perfect, it does add a
lot to the performance. Haydon Spenceley has an engaging voice
which drones just enough to give it a certain quality. As for
"Nothing", I just don't like the song itself. The overall
sound is good, but the song leaves me cold - just a personal thing.
While the opening faster song works best, the slower ones do give
a glimpse into the band's armoury to show that Freeslave are more
than just a one-trick card. On "Crying Tonight" the
song shows just what God might say to the question "What
do you think of your world today"? This song highlights Sarah
Crays backing vocals and some tasty guitar work. It may not be
perfect, but the finished product show what Freeslave are about.
Maybe now they can move to a full album and show their true potential.
7/10.
(December 2004)
"Love Explosion" is the new single from wheelchair artist Haydon Spenceley, who now wears the Freeslave crown on his own. Through his music ministry, Haydon's main goal is to sing about the hope, suffering, joy and despair that make this life we live, so varied and exciting. The three songs on this single, show a tidier production than previous releases, and the instrumentation has also improved the resulting sound. The title track is the strongest cut and the catchy chorus makes it ideal for radio. Haydon's vocals are complimented by some superb guitar playing by Harun, and the result is more than pleasing. "Road Less Travelled" isn't so strong, yet it still has a certain quality about it. Finally, Ross Gill's guitar work on "Save My Day" ensure that this single is an ideal taster for those wishing to dip their toe into the world of Freeslave. 7/10. (February 2006)
FREESLAVE : Songs for the Dying.
When our very own Geoff Howlett informed me that he had done three earlier Free Slave reviews I was tempted to check them out to see what he thought! - but decided it was fairer to approach this one without any preconceived impressions. So, what do we have here? Well, we have an album full of catchy alt-rock songs, set within a framework of predominantly synthesiser sounds, delivered by heavily processed vocals. Although you may assume Free Slave to be a band, at the time of this album release in May 2006 Free Slave was predominantly the solo project of one Haydon Spenceley, with 'Songs for the dying' evidently taking him three years to complete. With Haydon writing all the songs and contributing keyboards and vocals, he was nevertheless assisted by friends on drums, guitars and backing vocals. Bass guitarist Harun Kotch also gets the production, engineering and mixing credits. Whilst I enjoyed this album from the off, it is one that grows. By the third listening, I was really enjoying it. Harun knows his stuff production-wise - this is smooth and expertly done and he pulls off the trick of all the vocals being easy to hear whilst not overloud within the mix. My only criticism is that I would prefer a slightly less synthetic sound to the vocals - but that's just personal preference. Stand out tracks for me were 'Save my day' (the guitar riff was particularly effective) and the slower tempo 'Not alone'. So, whilst I still have no idea what Mr Howlett thinks of Haydon Spenceley/Free Slave - my view is that he/they are definitely worth a listen. 8/10 www.freeslave.org.uk Dave Deeks (December 2006)
FREESLAVE : Save My Day.
Formed in the summer of 2006, the full band 'Free Slave' have rushed out this four track EP. The publicity describes them as 'a four piece alt-rock band based on the South Coast, pumping out a full and punchy sound with swirling synths and floating guitar riffs set over grooving bass lines and solid rhythms - a sound that sits comfortably amongst influences and contemporaries including Muse, Radiohead, U2, Coldplay and Lost Prophets'. Quite a build up! I certainly noticed bits of Coldplay and Lost Prophets - and as these happen to be favourite bands of mine, that was no bad thing. The title track is a slightly different version of one of my standout tracks from 'Songs for the dying'. Haydon Spenceley is joined by new members on drums, bass and guitar - Harun Kotch giving up his musical contribution to concentrate on production, with his expert influence being evident. Here we have a more 'live', rocky sound however. Drummer Matt Bromley deserves special mention, but (brothers?) Aaron and Ben Lewis also work well together on guitar and bass, and overall everything is very well sorted indeed. It is pretty obvious that Haydon Spenceley is a talented guy, who surrounds himself with just the right people to help his talents shine. As it happens, Haydon is also a wheelchair user. A very good EP, and for its extra energy over the album, worth an extra point. 9/10. Dave Deeks (December 2006)
FUNKY FROG : Praise Songs 4 Kidz. (Kingsway : KMCD2886)
Wow, what a wild cover! A vivid green cover with 'Funky Frog' dancing away on the front greets you on this 4 CD kids compilation from Kingsway - certainly grabs your attention! It is pretty obvious from the presentation (plus that cursed "trendy" spelling) that this is squarely aimed at the younger children, so who better to tell me what they think
than my own darling offspring? Well, it kept them reasonably occupied on a long car journey which on its own is worth a bundle! For much of the time, both of them (5 & 10 years old) were jigging along & making up actions which was great to see. There were some "oh Dad, turn it off" comments from them (or words to that effect) & after repeated listening I
was more than happy to oblige. It is a very odd mix of tracks & styles which has a plus side as kids get bored quickly, but what did let it down mostly were the variations in the quality of the musicians, recording & vocals. This went between extremes with some cracking rhythms on tracks like "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord" which was very different to any version I've heard before - kind of Bad Manners meets St Winifred's & a wonderful tune I didn't know called "Grace Is", which had a very catchy South American rumba beat complete with full band, rhythm section - the works! At the other end of the spectrum, there's a quite a number of grim
renditions - prime examples of this being "God Made You" (Casio-tone keyboard sounds, off-key kids vocal & cringey lyrics), the well-known "Not by Might" (over-pronounced vocals & badly executed pseudo-reggae style) & Jump (very formal violin accompanied - a bit '50s Playschool). You certainly get a lot for your money, because as well as the tracks themselves each CD has all the backing tracks so they could used as "karaoke" versions which is an excellent idea. This album has a lot to offer & does a reasonable job for the target audience, but personally I would have put a little more focus on the quality than quantity. 5/10 Simon Redfern (November 2008)
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