NEW MUSIC
SELECTIVE HEARING | Robert Berman
CASTING CROWNS KEVIN MAX feat. SERVICE UNICORN TOBYMAC
Only Jesus Romeo Drive The Elements
I love Casting Crowns because they make pop “I want to know God,” declares the robot The eighth studio album from one of Christian
music with broad appeal, and then they use protagonist at the outset of this ambitious Music’s most recognizable artists finds him
that appeal to talk about things that matter. science fiction concept album. On his third putting aside the crunchy guitars and R&B
Take their new release, for instance. “Where sin album in a year, Kevin Max offers a spiritual elements of his previous work in favor of a
leaves a canyon… Your love is the bridge you allegory about a robot with “wires for blood” synth attack in the vein of Imagine Dragons or
built with the cross.” “The Father made the way on a spiritual quest in the year 2079. Long twentyone pilots. If you’re looking for Toby’s
for you. The Son killed the grave for you. Let His known for his restless musical impulse that sound from 1998 or 2008, that’s where you’ll
Spirit come alive in you.” “One word, one hand. takes him from soul to rock to New Wave, find it; this is something new. Not that it’s totally
Tell me, is that too high a price? One awkward this time around, Max has teamed with the unfamiliar. “Everything” and “Edge of My Seat”
moment could be the one that saves a life.” mysterious duo known as Service Unicorn. The groove along on an Earth, Wind, & Fire-style
“We keep our missions overseas, but for the resulting album, crafted entirely on analogue disco beat. And some things never change;
hurting in our cities, would we even cross the synthesizers, mixes chiptune with the feel of this is a smartly written album with punchy
street?” The gospel. The Trinity. The sacrifice Kraftwerk or a John Carpenter soundtrack, production and a willingness to name the name
of our reputations and convenience. A concern with vocal elements. The result is not music of Jesus. In between the title track’s rejection of
for the hurting that shows that Christians care for everybody, in the way that challenging jazz worldliness and final track hopeful uphill climb
about more than just saving souls. Casting music is not for everybody. But his golden to “See the Light” lie nine other expressions of
Crowns has stood for these ever since their baritone is as strong as ever, and those who hope and determination.
self-titled album hit the scene 15 years ago with enjoy poetry and nonlinear writing will dig questions like, “If we are the Body, why aren’t into the lyric sheet with gusto. A cover of Joy his arms reaching? Their music hasn’t chased Division’s proto-New Wave “Love Will Tear Us the cutting edge trends of the intervening years. Apart” also appears.
It’s still mainstream pop with occasional banjo
or choir leavening the central guitar/piano
arrangements. As long as they keep telling us
what we need to hear, not just what we want to
Robert Berman
Robert is a Sunday School teacher, music nerd,
and acoustic guitar enthusiast. He lives in rural
Tennessee with his wife and three boys.
hear, that’s fine with me.
32
January 2019
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