CD Review – Disciple Southern Hospitality
Artist: Disciple
CD Title: Southern Hospitality
Style: Rock
Website: http://disciplerocks.com/
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Playlist
1. Southern Hospitality
2. Romance Me
3. 321
4. Whisper so Loud
5. Whatever Reason
6. Phoenix Rising
7. Liar
8. Falling Star
9. Right There
10. On My Way
11. Lay Down My Burdens
12. Savior
Well well well, what can I say, as I come from work and find a thick envelope in my mailbox. “Hmmm more music for the show” I think as I climb the steps and toss the envelope on the table to open after a nice dinner. Then the todays date seems to worm its way to the front of my work addled brain. “That’s not more music for the show.. That would be the New Disciple CD you idiot!!!” So all thoughts of dinner seem to slide away as I grab the envelope and open it. Sure enough I am greeted with that New CD smell as the case slides into my greedy little hands. I have decided to something a little different, I am going to write about each song as I hear it for the first time so you will get what I can only describe as the CD in written form filtered through my mind. (yeah scary I know)
As the CD screams into my headphones as I write this I remember not only why I picked up the last disciple album after seeing them live but also why I enjoyed the concert so much. I am amazed at the energy that is contained within such a small packet as a single CD. Right out of the gate the cd is rocking and screaming in your ears. With Layer upon layer of amazing guitar work I just have to tip my hat the three (yes count em three!!) guitarists in the band. Brad Noah, Andrew Welch, and Micah Sannan.
The CD moves from the Third song “321″ to the Fourth and I am faced with another screaming adrenaline rush song. However with a title of “Whisper so Loud” I should expected nothing less. I am very pleased to tell you all that while the first four songs are all hard rocking songs I do not feel like they are all similar as each has its own feel. Song Five “Whatever Reason” starts out much calmer and is clearly a “rock ballad” that is a really good version of the prodigal son story. reminding all of us it doesnt matter what we have done God will always love us. “Whatever reason you’ve been running / I just don’t care anymore / Already forgotten whatever happened with what went wrong / I just want you to come home“
Going on to the song “Phoenix Rising” the hard rock rush begins to build again, and it is on this song that you begin to really hear Tim Barrett on the drums coming into his own. This is a song I will enjoy seeing live. Actually I havent heard a song on the CD yet that I don’t want to see them perform live. As the Song “Liar” starts this is where I want to make an observation. As I check out the Lyrics I am really pleased to find several things. First many of the songs have biblical references that (I hope) challenge those listening to the CD to read those passages. The Second thing I was impressed by was the this note after the Lyrics of Liar
Note:
regarding our lyrics, we try to write songs that are passionate, genuine, and from the heart. We like to write songs about real situations that people face in everyday life. We also understand that we are role-models and we want our music to point to our faith in Jesus. With that being said, I felt it would be good to add a note on the subject of forgiveness. When I wrote this song I was struggling with forgiveness and wrote the line, “I will forgive you but it’s gonna take some time” This was an honest evaluation of where my heart was at the time. But it is God’s will for us to forgive immediately. Sometimes it is hard to do that. As followers of Christ we are called to forgive at all costs. In the light of Matthew 18:21-35 it is very clear that God has forgiven all of us of a multitude of sins, and that He expects us to forgive just as He has forgiven us.
The Song “Liar” is clearly going to be one of the “big” song live. The song speaks of just that, being a liar “When you speak we all wait 20 minutes before you ever say a thing” and “Im not saying your a liar, its just that none of us believe a word you say” This song rocks both in Lyrics and Melody.
“Falling star” I have to admit that some of the songs are starting to sound the same. Perhaps I can only stand so much excitement. The music is still impeccable and I am enjoying it but I’m kind of hoping the next song is a little calmer, I could use the rest, and thankfully the song “Right There” is just what I’m looking for. Still rocking but not that red bull video game soundtrack rocking. The song talks about something I have been clinging to recently, the idea that God will never leave you or forsake you and that He is always Right There for you. Awesome song.
Well that short rest was just what I needed since the next song “On my way Down” starts with a pulsing guitar and slamming drums. I have noticed something in the CD that I want to mention here. Aside from putting out great Vocals Kevin Young knows how to make himself understood. I know this from seeing them perform live and even live and not knowing the songs I was able to understand the lyrics and yet he able to put out the piercing screams that are almost the trademark of a Disciple song.
“Lay Down my Burdens” Caught me off guard with a seriously southern guitar opening then sliding into a more familiar southern rock sound. The message is clear. “Im looking to lay my burdens down, there’s something I can’t carry anymore.” This is a really good southern rock song. The CD Ends on a mellow note with the song “Savior” with a true love song, written from a man to Jesus praying the salvation of the woman he loves. “The problem hidden inside / Is screaming something’s not right / And I would lay down my world / To reach out and fix what’s broken in her” A feeling I have felt and prayed.
Overall I got to say this CD really rocks, only once did I get the feeling I was hearing the same song over again and while alot of the songs are rocking loud, I was pleased to find that each song stood on its own and you always knew which song was playing. I can also say that I liked how the overall form of the CD worked building up to the perfect songs and ending on the song “Savior” that really did give you hope while reminding all of us that there is a world full of Lost that we need to love.
I’m giving this CD a 4.5 stars out of 5 and would lean toward 4.75 stars out of 5 but I have limited myself to half star ratings. I’m already hoping that Disciple plays live in my area soon. This will be a concert to attend and one that would be sorely missed. I may have re-arrange some less important things like work and that doctors appointment in order to make the show. I consider it a small price to pay.
