The Christian Manifesto

GENRE: COMPILATION

LABEL: NUSPRING/EMI GOSPEL

RELEASE DATE: MAY 27, 2008

RATING: 3 OUT OF 5

Nutshell Version:

“Underground Sound, Vol. 1” features 15 tracks of 15 relative unknowns who have gained popularity through large internet fan bases. The album moves from rock to worship to folk to pop. Quite literally, there’s something here for everyone. Welcome to the MySpace age. Independent music has come a long way. Despite the fact that “Underground Sound, Vol. 1” is distributed by EMI Gospel, the album serves as proof positive that modern music artists don’t need millions of dollars behind them to craft good music and get it heard. However, I don’t think any of them are frowning at being included here.

Full Version:

Within Christian music, compilations usually consist of big name acts and/or bands, such as Steven Curtis Chapman or Third Day. However, “Underground Sound, Vol. 1” features 15 tracks of 15 relative unknowns. Having gained popularity through large internet fan bases, each artist brings something different to the table. The album moves from rock to worship to folk to pop. Quite literally, there’s something here for everyone. Welcome to the MySpace age.

Carl Carlee’s brusque voice on “Trust In You” is reminiscent of a lighter Jeremy Camp. The music is a bit generic, but generic need not be a bad thing for Top 40 radio. Simple sells because it’s catchier and easy to remember. Jeff Johnson Band’s “Ruin Me” is a great number from a talented, up-and-coming worship band.  Not to be outdone, the Justin Colfield Band turns around and tells God to “Send Me.” Separated’s “Something Wrong” is the only go-ahead rocker and it is in a league of its own. If this track is any indication of the rest of their album, they are in a great position to get signed to a major label. Abbie Walker’s jazzy, ethereal “Save Me” is likely the best track on the whole album, evoking images of a smoky blues bar in the Old French Quarter. She reminds me of mix between Diana Krall and Norah Jones; I very much intend on getting a copy of her full album.

Certain trends reign supreme in Christian music, though. Most of these tracks would be completely comfortable on Christian Adult radio—meaning there’s a lot of worship, pop, and “contemporary” music, but few hard rock tracks and no rap. This bears mentioning as to this day the most popular album reviews posted by The Christian Manifesto are Pillar’s “For the Love of the Game” (rock) and Trip Lee’s “20/20” (rap). So, while there is certainly something here for everyone, its almost guaranteed that no one will like every song presented. I wasn’t a big fan of Maria Long’s Plumb meets Fireflight “Here With Me” or The Ride’s “The Real Me.” I know people like their sound. That much is evident if they’re one of the internet’s top 15 “undiscovered” bands. They certainly make music that is marketable. It’s just not my cup of tea.

Independent music has come a long way. I used to be fearful when someone told me they were an independent artist (sometimes I still should be). But, with the decline of production costs and the rise of computer-aided music programs, even artists on a shoestring budget can put out a great product. Despite the fact that “Underground Sound, Vol. 1” is distributed by EMI Gospel, the album serves as proof positive that modern music artists don’t need millions of dollars behind them to craft good music and get it heard. However, I don’t think any of them are frowning at being included here.

Track Listing

1. Trust In You – feat. Carl Cartee
2. Modern Day Escape – feat. Last Year Portrait
3. Here With Me – feat. Maria Long
4. To Bring You Back – feat. Paul Alan
5. Ruin Me – feat. Jeff Johnson Band
6. Inside – feat. The Wrecking
7. Something Wrong – feat. Separated
8. Send Me – feat. The Justin Colfield Band
9. Who’d You Put In Charge – feat. Foolish Things
10. More Real – feat. 1 Life
11. Whisper – feat. Shelly Moore Band
12. The Real Me – feat. The Ride
13. Save Me – feat. Abbi Walker
14. Hold Me – feat. Jonny Diaz
15. Again – feat. Jessica McLean