Music Reviews
Rock and Roll
By Kristen Eloe
Skiff Staff

The age-old idiom warns that you can’t judge a book by its cover. I think I’ll update that saying by adding CD covers. More specifically, I’ll add the polished cover of “Where You Are,” the premier release from the Florida-based Socialburn, along with the much humbler cover of “Cry Holy,” the second album from SonicFlood.

“Where You Are” hit the streets along with an overly-slick publicity campaign including reviews in Seventeen and Teen magazines, as well as a professional Web site offering downloadable tracks, banners, wallpaper, e-cards and even cell-phone rings.

Complete with a wall of guitar sound reminiscent of old-school Smashing Pumpkins and a lead singer with a stylized voice eerily similar to Kurt Cobain, the band provides the perfect mix of musical ingredients to guarantee a successful initial launch. Produced by John Kurzweg, whose previous production endeavors include Puddle of Mudd and Creed, the album’s contrived sound practically begs for a get-onto-TRL-free card (pick up your sell-out cash when you pass go …).

The record does offer a few redeemable songs including the Coldplay-like “One More Day,” and “U.” For the most part, the second-half of “Where You Are” exhibits a greater willingness to experiment with more diverse techniques and expand their musical repertoire. Unfortunately, it comes too little too late, after the painfully bland first half. Not that their spring tour includes any stops in Texas, but I personally wouldn’t bother paying a cover to hear Socialburn perform live.

I would, however, make an effort to hear Sonicflood perform songs off of their latest album “Cry Holy.” An inspired and polyphonic mix of guitar, vocals and other strings, the album provides an artistically varied sound from track to track. The title song “Cry Holy” along with “Famous One” and “Satisfied” exemplify the band’s adept incorporation of uniquely layered harmonies. If given one request though, I’d prefer a greater variety of lyrics.

Refreshingly, the band members attribute all of their accomplishments to God, relying more on their quality of music and word-of-mouth to sell records. This type of campaign worked remarkably well for their first, and certified gold album, “Resonate.” Set to release March 11. the next edition of Sonicflood promises well-deserved success and further accolades from the music world. Dallas/Fort Worth area residents will have the opportunity to witness this group first-hand Aug. 22 and Nov. 7-8, 2003, when they tour the area.

Kristen Eloe

Derek Webb
By Colleen Casey
Skiff Staff

I’m no expert on music, especially Christian folk-rock, but I know a good song when I hear it.

In the case of Derek Webb’s “She Must and Shall Go Free,” I heard a good album. This album is one I typically wouldn’t be drawn to, but now I’m glad I was.

I believe the “she” in the album’s title is referring to Webb’s affection for the church. This album describes his belief that the church shouldn’t be as political and commercialized as it sometimes is. His songs inspire the listener to go back to simpler times, when churches looked like the down-to-earth one displayed on the album’s cover, and people truly knew the meaning and purpose for the church.

Webb, also a founding member of Caedmon’s Call, got his inspiration for this solo project from the personal soul-searching that took place after his recent marriage.
Webb describes his music as folk-rock, but it sounds more folk-country to me, with an occasional electric guitar and even a couple of blues scales.

Because Webb is so talented, all the album’s songs sound very different from each other, which surprised me. My favorite songs from the album are “Nobody Loves Me” and “Nothing (Without You).”

Most importantly, the songs on “She Must and Shall Go Free” are not too preachy; they’re not even close to that. Yet, Webb said that “every ounce of this material” can be traced back to Scripture. But unless you’ve memorized the Bible, you wouldn’t even know that.

But because the lyrics aren’t the typical Christian rhetoric, they are refreshing to me.

That’s a great example of how creative Webb can be, because writing music around already existing words can’t be simple.

And if you’re like me and enjoy allowing the music you listen to put you in a better mood, this powerful compilation will fit well into your collection.

If this album sounds like something you might not normally enjoy, I think it’s worth a listen. You might be surprised too.

The CD debuts March 25, and more information on Webb is available at (www.derekwebb.com). Also, catch Webb sometime in the next year when he promotes his album on tour to smaller venues like churches and larger homes.

Colleen Casey