Nearness - Lovelite (Review)

Artist: Lovelite
Album: Nearness
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: October 5th, 2010

Track Listing:
1. Apathy
2. Brevity
3. Ambition
4. Nearness
5. Invisible One
6. I Belong
7. Finally Free
8. Perihelion


Review:

Lovelite is an indie rock/worship four piece act from San Diego, CA that consists of: husband and wife Andrew and Jen Polfer (vocals/guitars/keys), Adam Taylor (guitarist/keys) and Brandon Burr (bass). After nearly two years since releasing their first full length album, All Color on www.comeandlive.com, the band that brought us songs like “There You Are”, “Honestly” and “Our Peace” brings us their newest and most astounding project to date, Nearness.

The album starts off with “Apathy”, a great opening song that gives you a good idea of what to expect from the rest of the album. It’s not quite as remarkable as “There You Are” which opened All Color, nonetheless, musically and lyrically it’s still a solid track and one of my personal favorites. The title track co-written by producer Tyler Chester. Although it’s under three minutes it is no doubt one of the most memorable songs on the whole album. Jen Polfer’s soft and sweet voice mesh beautifully with the songs heart warming music and simple lyrics, “Give me a nearness/I want to feel fire/Your friendship is tireless/Give me a nearness…”

The soft and intimate “I Belong” doesn’t offer quite as much musically, even so, the song grabs you with its honest and heartfelt lyrics. It’s a song that speaks of full surrender, full surrender to God. Sure, that’s nothing we haven’t heard before, but it’s the sincerity and heart in Andrew’s voice that make the song quite remarkable. The album closes beautifully with “Perihelion” (meaning: the point nearest the sun in the orbit of a planet or other celestial body), a one and a half minute “Nearness” reprise. With drawing musical comparisons to Athlete, Death Cab for Cutie, Keane, Radiohead and Eisley, plus with Andrew Polfer on vocals, these are perhaps my favorite tracks on the whole album; the instrumentation is simple, yet superb.

Compared to the band’s previous album All Color, sadly, there’s a lot less of Jen getting time behind the mic. While she compliments Andrew beautifully in the background, I would have liked to have heard more of her. At some points Nearness feels a bit darker sonically than All Color, but in a very good way, it brings the album a more intimate and emotional feel. Probably the biggest issue with the album is length. Call me greedy, but thirty-three minutes and eight tracks just isn’t enough! When I first got word the band was releasing a new album, I was absolutely thrilled! After a great album like All Color you can imagine how high my expectations were. I’m very pleased to say that the band exceeded all of my expectations.

Closing Thoughts
Overall; this is another solid release from Lovelite and I enjoyed the album a great deal. The music and lyrics flow beautifully because Andrew and Jen sound absolutely wonderful together. Musically this album is a breath of fresh air. It’s unique and refreshing, how often do you hear an organ and a Glockenspiel nowadays? I’d love to see the band go Instrumental for one release; it could be interesting, and no doubt amazing.

Andrew Peterson

Andrew Peterson's "Counting Stars" is finally available, today! Go out and get it!




Right now JesusFreakHideout is streaming the album, click HERE to listen.

NewReleaseTuesday is giving away the first track off the album "Many Roads."
Click HERE to download it.

And last, you can read my review on the album HERE.



Thank you for reading, and God bless you!

Stole My Heart EP by Little & Ashley - Album Review

Artist: Little & Ashley
Album Title: Stole My Heart EP
Genre: Alternative
Release Date: March 18th 2010
Album Rating: 4 Stars

Purchase the album on Amazon.
Little & Ashley's Official Website.

Track Listing:

1. Stole My Heart
2. Telegrams To Mars
3. Fly Me Away
4. Missing You

Album Review...

The quirky California based songwriting duo got their start when they wrote and recorded "Fly Me Away" for an Amazon Kindle commercial contest entry, also starring Annie Little. The entry won and thus, the duo made a deal with Amazon to compose additional music for Amazon's Kindle commercial series. Annie Little and Marcus Ashley have each starred in numerous TV commercials and guest starred in numerous hit TV shows. So chances are you've already seen them and heard them, you just didn't know it! In addition, Ashley writes and records with the band American Weapon and Little is currently the face of Shade clothing.

The EP kicks off with the cute and quirky "Stole My Heart." This song is the whole reason I checked out Little & Ashley in the first place. I love everything about it, the music flows so beautifully with the lyrics. The chorus is catchy and sweet... "I love you, don't you see?/You Stole my heart 1-2-3/I love you, yes it' true/You stole my heart/And I'm gonna steal yours too..." Little & Ashley's vocals are superb.

The piano driven "Telegrams To Mars" is another personal favorite. I'm honestly not sure what the song is about but I love it! Little's vocals are beautiful and the music is unforgettable, I've had the melody stuck in my head all day. There's an innocence to it that is so refreshing. It made me feel like a day dreaming little girl again. It's an all around feel good song. The kind that makes you smile... "So lovely on my pillow/Spinning webs with rain bows/Sending telegrams to Mars..."

"Fly Me Away" is the shortest track on the EP. I didn't like this song quite as much as the other two. The lyrics felt somewhat like a children's story, ("Hidden walkways back in time/Endless stories, lover's crime/In my mind I've been set free/We'll take this journey, you and me...")
which I liked, but the music reminded me too much of a circus or carnival.

The EP ends with "Still Missing You." A song about a reconciliation between exes. I wasn't very fond of the lyrics, but the music was excellent!

Overall; this is a cute and quirky EP. I enjoyed it very much. Although I love Little's vocals, my only complaint is that we didn't hear enough of Ashley and I wish we would have because his voice accents Little's wonderfully, and I think it adds a little something extra. I will definitely keep an eye on the duo, in hopes of future releases.

Heaven Calling - Matt McCoy (Album Review)

Artist: Matt McCoy
Album Title: Heaven Calling
Release Date: March 2010
Album Rating: 5 Stars

Buy The Album at: http://www.mattmccoymusic.com/

Twitter: @MattMcCoy
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mattmccoymusic


Track Listing:
1. My Eyes Are Fixed On You
2. Stronger Than The Storm
3. Sovereign King
4. Alleluia
5. Take Control
6. You Will Be My Song
7. Will You Carry Me?
8. I Know I'm Yours
9. Trust in The Lord
10. Kindness
11. I Choose You
12. You've Given Everything
13. Calling Home


Album Review:

Although this is Matt McCoy's first full length album, the young independent Worship Leader/Singer/Songwriter is no stranger. His music has been featured on Vineyard Music, he has shared the stage with artists such as Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Delirious? and Tim Hughes. Just to name a few. Born and raised in San Diego, California Matt now resides in Chicago, IL and has since been on staff at Willow Creek Community Church and Harvest Bible Chapel, where he currently serves.

After almost two years since the release of "Raise the Flag Again," Matt McCoy finally brings us his first full-length album "Heaven Calling." A refreshing and powerful worship album.

The album opens with "My Eyes Are Fixed on You." A great upbeat Modern Worship song that is somewhat reminiscent of Worship Leader Kristian Stanfill, as are a few other songs ("Trust in The Lord" and "Sovereign King.")

The upbeat and catchy "Trust in The Lord" is sure to be an instant favorite. I've had it on repeat for a while. You can't help but feel good and smile when you hear it: ("Trust in the Lord, be set apart/He will give you the desires of Your heart/Trust in the Lord, don't fall apart/He is the One who has overcome...") It's a wonderful reminder that God is always faithful.

Songs like "Alleluia" and "Will You Carry Me?" are emotional and moving. The piano driven "Will You Carry Me?" is a song of God's forgiveness, while "Alleluia" is much simpler, with guest vocals by Lindsay McCaul... ("Alleluia, Alleluia/Praise to You, Praise to You/Alleluia")

"Calling Home" ends the album beautifully. Although it's just a simple "Hallelujah" chorus, the instrumentation itself is pure worship. Without a doubt one of my favorites off the album.

While there are a couple of songs that speak of forgiveness, Matt's sole focus throughout the album is worship. There are very few artists who can capture the very essence of praise and worship; Matt McCoy is one of those few. If I had to compare him to anyone it would be Kristian Stanfill and Jason Morant.

"Raise The Flag Again" is one of my favorite worship albums so I had high expectations for "Heaven Calling." I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. In fact, the album surpassed all my expectations. What I love more than anything, is the passion and sincerity in Matt's voice. His heart for God is evident in every aspect. "Heaven Calling" will definitely be on my Top 20 list at the end of the year. It's a great and powerful album. It moved and touched me in a mighty way.


Highlights:

My Eyes Are Fixed On You
Alleluia
Will You Carry Me?
I Know I'm Yours
Trust in The Lord
Calling Home