NEW MUSIC
SELECTIVE HEARING | Robert Berman
SWITCHFOOT MAE JACKIE HILL PERRY
Native Tongue Multisensory Aesthetic Experience Crescendo
San Diego’s favorite sons return after a two- Mae may have broke-up (sort of) in 2007, Musicians know that “crescendo” means
year hiatus punctuated by kidney cancer releasing only 3 EPs and playing only a few “growing,” and this sophomore offering will live
treatment for bassist Jerome Fontamillas. No shows in the following decade, but their up to its name and grow on the listener. But
huge surprises await here, which is good news. recent return justifies the wait. The musical really what’s growing is the Kingdom of God,
Jon and Tim Foreman have been reliable hit- movement known as Emo has come and and the personal holiness of believers. Hill Perry
makers over the course of an impressive eleven gone, but hooky, heartfelt, guitar-driven songs has spoken and written about her rescue from
albums in twenty-two years. And Native Tongue are always welcome. One sign you’ve found sexual immorality for several years, and now a
continues the unbroken streak. This mostly a good album is that it doesn’t rest easily in new mom, she brings new insights to the table
self-produced effort also sees contributions one genre. Is M.A.E. by Mae a modern pop on her latest project with Humble Beast Records.
from OneRepublic’s bassist Brent Kutzle album with autotuned harmonizer vocals? Yes. “Fall Away” laments a friend who has rejected
and producers Ryan Tedder and Tyler Spry, But then it has those 1970s chords and brass Christ. “Thy Neighbor” exhorts Christians to
resulting in a sound that will appeal to fans of textures: a little bit Alan Parsons, a little bit pursue fellowship as an expression of the Holy
Imagine Dragons and twentyone pilots without Death Cab for Cutie. And the indie folk echoing Spirit which indwells them all. “Hymn” is largely
attempting to copy either band. Duet “The gang vocals interrupted by spates of squealing given over to a bevy of guest rappers including
Hardest Art,” the farthest departure from the electric guitar (more skillfully played than the Shai Linne, overflowing in expressions of praise
band’s norm, is a dynamite electronica track modern average, even shredding at times) and delight toward Jesus. Hymn snippets like
with guest vocals by Kaela Sinclair. There’s and/or industrial drum samples. It’s a musical “Come Thou Fount,” “Victory Is Mine,” “Nothing
something for everyone. Raspy rockers like gumbo with a little of everything, and it doesn’t But the Blood,” and “I Love You Lord” pepper
“Let It Happen” and airy tracks like “Oxygen” skimp on the melodic hooks either. “You Fall the spoken word tracks, new music joining
share space with the buoyantly celebrant When You Hesitate” rolls along in 12/8 with seamlessly with old expressions of the eternal
“We’re Gonna Be Alright,” closing piano/ honking distorted bass contrasting with Dave truth of a God who rescues his children from
cello love ballad “You’re the One I Want,” and Elkins’ clear vocals. Romantic dysfunction the darkness and slavery of sin.
biblically informed “Prodigal Soul.” Lyrics hit is the main lyrical theme, with occasional themes of the frailty of man and the importance spiritual comments. “The Overview” recounts of focusing on love over fear. the journey away from a view of God who was
“There to judge us: Not to love us, but to hunt
us” without clearly articulating the alternative.
Highlights: the driving “Let It Die” and closing
instrumental “Flow.”
64
March 2019
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.
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