The Reckoning

NEEDTOBREATHE''s new release, The Reckoning, came out yesterday. I normally buy the CD of my favorite bands, but I couldn't resist the price and simplicity of the digital download, so that's what I went with this time. Though I'm kind of sorry that I don't have the CD insert to hold in my hands and read through. I like the details. I'm going to look later and see if they posted it on their website to look at.

One thing about the album art. If you don't know the band, I think you would easily assume that this is a band called "The Reckoning. The band name is almost impossible to see in any online image you find. It's in the bottom right corner, saying "needtobreath no.4" because it's their fourth release. They seem to have done this on purpose, but it might not be a good idea in the long run.

Anyway. I thought it would be interesting to talk about the recording after only hearing it one time. Things change after listening to it a few times. You start to get it. But I was considering my first impression, and here's what I think.

It's very good. It has a more accomplished feel to it musically and the lyrics seem more complex, both in structure and in imagery. But at the same time, these same things make it less immediately accessible. It's not as hooky or radio ready as the last few releases. That can be good because you can listen to it more and it can stay with you longer. It can be bad because it might not grab you and make you want to keep listening.

Some of the best recordings, in my opinion, are a collection of some songs that work to draw you in quick, matched with some songs that draw you in deeper. This release has that immediate draw, I think, with songs like "Slumber" and "Able" and the opening song "Oohs and Ahhs" while other songs run a little deeper. So it's there. But it's not as bright as it might have been. So we'll see how I like it in a week or so.

On the very first listen, the song "Able" was the most intriguing to me. It made me want to stop and really listen and figure it out. But the recording as a whole is excellent, which is no surprise because this band is phenomenal. 

I suppose in the end it comes down to this: It's got a good beat and you can dance to it.

© LW Publishing 2011

For Your Consideration

Has anyone else noticed how almost everything in life these days is up for critical review? Seems like everyone has their own score card at the ready. Thumbs up. Thumbs down.

People like things. Why? Well, they just do. They can’t really explain it. It’s usually more of a feeling, sort of, you know, an emotional response. They don’t like to think about the details of why they like something. And that’s fine. I get that. I’m the same way sometimes. But it’s also true that...

People dislike things. Why? Hold onto your butts. If you open the door to it, they’ll spend hours and hours telling you why. They have lists. They have categories. They have euphemisms and metaphors and griefs and grudges. They are suddenly articulate and emotional. You can tell they’ve really thought about the things they dislike. They’ve thought about it a lot.

A LOT.

Why do you like this person or that person? [I don’t know. They’re just nice. We just clicked. It was fate.] Why do you dislike this other person? [How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. Let me show you how many adjectives and adverbs I have memorized. Let me enumerate their worthless attributes.]

We need to ask ourselves why it’s so easy for us to condemn, and so hard for us to praise. Why is it so easy to see what’s wrong and so difficult to see what’s right? Why are we so willing to tear down, and so uninterested in building up?


Ephesians 4:29
Peace to you.


© LW Publishing 2011