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After the success of his sophomore album, Cannons, Phil Wickham is back with his third studio album Heaven & Earth.  This album runs at 48 minutes and has 12 tracks.   He has a great voice that bears similarities to Bono of U2 and Tom Chaplin Keane.  The Brit-Pop/Rock feel of this album is one of its high points, as well as the sincere lyrics and beautifully arranged music.  Following the success of his first two albums, he could have maintained the course he was on, and not stretched himself further.  But he does,using the skills that God has laid upon him to reach beyond those he has already impacted.

After listening to this album and looking at the song names, one word comes to mind, “Love”. He reminds us of what we were made for in the beginning, “to bring Glory to God” and how through Christ we can walk in Heaven with our Savior. But first we must take up the cross for Him, now at this “Time” to do what He asks of us without hesitation. That through all things He will “Hold On” to us through all things.  Lastly we must bridge the gap between “Heaven and Earth” through the Cross.  We must do works for His kingdom and remember that materials here on earth will fade, that only the ones that are built through the Love of Christ will not falter, they will bring Glory to the Father.

A few of my favorites songs include:

Safe: the first single off the album that includes Bart Millard from MercyMe.

The Time is Now: a great song that tells us it’s time to join the resistance for our Lord in this darkness and let go and light Love shine with all that you are.

Hold On: A great song about holding onto the Lord as we go through the darkness in the valleys in our life.

Other notables include: Heaven & Earth, Heaven Song, Eden and Cielo.

Overall, this album a quality piece of work.  He challenges us to become a better disciples of Christ.  I challenge you to pick it up and see how it moves you and helps you grow in your walk. This was the first album of Phil’s that I have listened to and after listening I will be picking up the first two in the near future. Looking forward to hearing more from Phil in the future.

8.5/10

Review by Ben Dempsey of RockTheCross.net

Follow Seabird on twitter:@seabirdmusic

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Seabird is back with their sophomore album titled “Rocks into Rivers”. They are from Cincinnati, Ohio and the band launched in 2004.  Leading the band are brothers Aaron and Ryan Morgan.  Aaron is the primary songwriter and and also lead vocals while Ryan backs him up on guitar.  After the success of their first studio album “Til We See the Shore” the band has definintely matured, not only in songwriting, but also musically.  Some of the singles you may have heard from their first project are Rescue and Not Alone.

Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful is the first single off of Rocks into Rivers.   A great song that tells of a girls story dealing with the struggle of her parent’s divorce.  It’s a great reminder of how your faith can hold you up in the valleys of your life. Aaron says that the album’s primary purpose is “a lot about becoming a father and a husband. I was thrown into so many roles and struggled with determining what is a gift and what is burden. It’s about recognizing my own shortcomings and dealing with them.”

If are you listening to them for the first time, you might think you are listening David Crowder, Coldplay, Keane or even The Fray. The piano driven rock elements were some of the best that I have heard, and one of my favorite parts of the album. One hidden gym is a lyrical tribute to Michael Jackson on “Finally Done Right”.

Notable tracks on the album include:

• Believe Me: A track that explains his hope to be the father and husband that he needs to be.

• The Good King: That when you feel alone, no matter what the circumstance, our King is near and in His eyes He sees your needs, determination, love and obedience. You can hold on to Him for everything that you need.

• The Road: Discusses the road of friendship and the trials we have to take in our walk with our loved ones.  Discusses forgiveness and pressing forward.  Stay close to His word and He will guide us.  We will have hard decisions to make, don’t just rely on your own understanding.

• Rocks into Rivers: One of my favorite songs off this album.  It tells us that when we lose our way, God just show us where to go.

Other Notables: This Ain’t Home and Trust.

This album is solid, and was well produced by Paul Moak and Matt Hales.  Seabird is creative and consistent with their message.  I look for them to have a great deal of success with this album both on radio and TV. The future of Seabird is very bright as they continue to grow and I challenge you to preview the album and see for yourself the quality that is within.  Also, check out their two EP’s entitled “Let Me Go On” and “The Silent Night”.

8/10

Review by Ben Dempsey of RockTheCross.net

Follow Unhindered on Twitter:@unhinderedband

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No stranger to christian music, Unhindered hails from the music rich fields of Atlanta, Georgia, and they have had some moderate success selling more than 30,000 copies of their 2005 independent release, City Streets. The band’s new release, Be, is their national label debut on the new label, EE-Taow Records.

Here are a few of the most notable tracks:

#4: Father Will You Come? - A moderately upbeat song that is filled with passionate vocals and lyrics that talk of our redemption. “Causing all to sing!” Singing to and about our Father, what better way to be fully connected  to the Father who sent His only begotten Son so that we may have eternal life with Him!

#6: Beautiful – “On my knees, at Your feet…” How beautiful is our Savior. Why is He so beautiful? All explanation will fall short of just being in His presence. This is indeed one of the most personal songs I have ever heard in Christian music. You will have to experience this one for yourself.

#7: People of God – Is a big guitar/big drum song that is very upbeat, that talks about it being time to “wake up and shout it out that, Jesus is alive!”

#11:Farewell Lullaby – Acoustic and slowed down, this song drives home the message of “letting go.” Letting go of other people’s expectations, and the fear of what other people may think of your own personal walking & talking friendship with Jesus. To quote another Christian artist: “My walk with Jesus shouldn’t be with the pastor’s Jesus, or my friend’s Jesus…” This is about dying to yourself.

I had not heard Unhindered before this CD, but love the band’s message that we should have a faith life that is unconcerned with what others think of you or your faith. We should worship and not be self-conscious about how we look when we pray, or worship our Savior.

7.5/10

Review by Karen Dunn of RockTheCross.net