SELECTIVE HEARING
by Robert Berman
JOHN MARK MCMILLAN
Mercury & Lightning
SHAI LINNE
Still Jesus
Christmas song “This Is All I Have to Give”) and
some alternate versions and demos, and you’ve
got 16 tracks to revive interest in established
fans and whet the appetite of newbies.
COLTON DIXON
Identity
Seven years after his breakthrough hit “How He Pastor/rapper Linne has been focusing on the
Loves Us,” McMillan still has plenty to say about “pastor” side of his calling since 2014’s “Lyrical
the messy intersections of faith and life. The lyrics Theology Part 2: Doxology.” Now he’s back with
find a man pausing to take stock of the twists the beats, bringing along guests like the brilliant
and turns of his life: “Who I am is greater than Beautiful Eulogy collective, Monielle, and Quinten
the me of who I once dreamed” (Persephone); Coblentz. His usual torrent of passionate, biblically
“All the things I do to survive, they only make me informed discourse divides equally between
feel old” (Death in Reverse). He’s not standing the glories of Christ (“Lord of All,” “Immutable,”
still musically either. “No Country” sounds for and “Supreme”) and the responsibilities of his
all the world like mid-90s Springsteen, but then peers not to compromise in the quest for fame
“Magic Mirror” spends its time in a falsetto never (“Random Thoughts 3,” “Ichabod,” and the
attempted by The Boss. “Gods of American satirically boastful “I’m Hot”). Even your parents
Success” layers horns above a steady U2 beat. will be able to understand his clear, witty delivery
“Wilderlove” and “Unhaunted” offer a master of lines like “What you swallow on earth, you’ll be
class in the uses of percussion to enhance a digesting in Hell.” Preacher Paul Washer surfaces
track, while “Death in Reverse” and its ambient on two tracks. There’s no song called “Revival”
baskmasked “esrevernihtaed” here, but if you know anyone who doubts whether
drop out the drums altogether in favor of synth rap can adequately express love for Christ, direct
pads and choir. As with Josh Garrels or Sufjan them here.
companion
Stevens, every track rewards repeat careful
listening to appreciate all that’s going on. Fans of
Strong, clear vocals? Check. Distinctively Christian
thoughts? Definitely. Energetic pop? Yup. Dixon’s
third outing (not counting a 2015 remix project) hits
the spot for catchy, anthemic modern music, with
neo-disco jostling with electropop as track moves
into track. “Breathe” washes in the harmonizer
technique from Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.”
Suffused with biblical sentiments (“Your word is a
lamp unto my feet”; “You make all things new”)
and Scripture readings (“The Mind” and “The
Body” and “The Spirit” anchor the album with
quotations from Romans, 1 Corinthians, Isaiah,
and 2 Timothy) support the album theme: Who
are you in Christ? “The Other Side” will find life
as a tribute song for funerals. Album highlight: “In
TODD AGNEW
From Grace to Glory
My Veins.”
MARIE MILLER
Letterbox
Crowder’s mix or the organic and the electronic
will find much to love here.
GUARDIAN + WHITECROSS
Revival EP
From his national debut in 2003, Agnew carved
out a niche few were qualified to fill: As Biblically
literate as Michael Card and Rich Mullins, (he’s
finishing pastoral training at Dallas Theological
Two of the champion bands of the early 90’s Seminary), as impassioned for the plight of the
have pooled their resources to bring the rock. poor and helpless as Keith Green, steeped
Each band gets a remake of one classic ballad in traditional hymnody as well as the songs of
(“Never Say Goodbye” and “In the Kingdom” the contemporary church, and blessed with a
respectively) and one rocker (“The Rain” and glorious gravelly baritone. This collection joins
“Top of the World”). Jamie Rowe’s bluesy vocals favorites like “Our Great God,” “Isaiah 6,” and
still sound amazing, and Rex Carroll’s lead guitar manifesto “My Jesus” to new selections. So,
wails as fiercely as ever, backed by the rhythm what’s new? A lot! In good Agnew tradition,
section of David Bach and Michael Feighan. Two a bluesy minor key recreation of staid hymn
new tracks round out the collection, making a classic “His Eye is on the Sparrow” overflows
strong argument for everybody to drop their with soulful Rhodes before exploding into a
smartphones and video games and pick up a samba finale. Throw in some tracks from side
Bible and a musical instrument. projects (U2’s “When Loves Comes to Town,”
58 August 2017
Marie Miller came on the scene with a 2006 EP
(now rare to find) and a 2013 follow up EP that
garnered both radio and TV exposure. Now, ten
years after Miller’s first Christian radio hit with
“Cold”, comes her first full-length album. Musically
she recalls a less twangy Taylor Swift in the days
of her country-leaning pop. Like Swift, she’s at
her best with songs drawing scenes from life.
“Angeline” and “Boardwalk” give rueful tribute to
friends who moved away. “Stones You Throw”
reflects on relational examples of how “The earth’s
polluted by our tiny little sins.” “Story” draws on
famous couples, from Peter and Wendy to Hector
and Andromache. “Next Best Thing” counsels a
younger sister away from a bad boyfriend, while
“Glitter Gold” mourns a friend gone astray.
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