rockthecross.net

Release Date: 5/4/2010

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The Letter Black is a band that seems to have more connections than most. One should not be surprised at the well-constructed epic style rock content of their first full-length release. Tooth and Nail has made an excellent acquisition with this group. This match may be one of mutual admiration as The Letter Black turned down offers from other labels to join with T&N. However, with Flyleaf, Fireflight, Pillar, Red and others, is there room for this band and their all-star cast?  The Letter Black can share or own any stage previously occupied by (insert arena rock band name here). While The Letter Black can’t say they are the first, they can say they’ve got just as much, or more, to bring as anyone within their breed.

The problem many have with the bands like The Letter Black is that they are not too terribly original. While it may be true that, Hanging on by a Thread does not overflow with original content, the album still contains the required amount of fun. I’ve been told in the past, that this genre does not require its artists to be incredibly original as long as their music is fun.

The album leads off with “Fight Fire with Fire.” This track probably has the most commercial appeal with its hooky chorus. The title track may make the play list at radio stations, but only after most of their listeners are in bed. “Believe”contains the standard choppy string sectional, which some already will find to be cliché’. “Best of Me” brings it down with the required lighter track, complete with acoustic guitar intro.

For me the album finds the right gear with “All I Want.” The track begins with a scream reminiscent of early Lacy Mosley. While the female scream is not made for radio, it lends an edge to TLB’s collection of tracks that would not be present otherwise. “Care Too Much” and “Wounded” also allow Sarah Anthony to flex this wonderfully cryptic shriek.

I find it difficult to locate a bad track on this album. Every song is well written, and well produced. My only complaint is that the work is somewhat commercial. This grievance would be amplified if their contemporaries weren’t much— much worse. Hanging on by a Thread is solid enough but would it be wrong to ask them to sharpen the knife a little?

7.5/10

Review by Greg Rutledge of RocktheCross.net

My good friends in the band True Story are releasing their second album, Heavens Wake, tomorrow, and you are invited to the album release party. Its tomorrow night @ Peachtree City Christian Church. Doors open @ 6:30 and admission is free. More details are available at their website, TrueStory.fm. You need to come out, its going to be a great time.

via~TheMCollective.com

April 29, 2010…Nashville, TN…MercyMe continues to live out their message of “loving well” as they move forward in their journey across America, recently serving at Rescue Missions in California and assisting radio listeners in Nevada.  The Grammy® nominated band is preparing for the release of their upcoming album with INO Records The Generous Mr. Lovewell, available nationwide next Tuesday, May 4th.

With a desire to ‘love well’ and also honor those who do so every day, the band recently paid visits to both the Fresno Rescue Mission and the Orange County Rescue Mission in California. In Fresno, the band met with the men from the Recovery Program and heard the inspiring testimonies of how God has changed their lives. In addition, they visited the Orange County Rescue Mission in conjunction with the Fish radio station LA. The station asked for listeners to nominate family and friends who they felt were ‘loving others well.’ As a result, The Fish brought in the people whom they felt had the most compelling stories to witness a special acoustic performance by MercyMe at Rockwell’s Bakery and be on the air with band members and morning show co-host Reba Toney. While some of MercyMe were co-hosting the radio program, the others were helping with the station’s food drive by collecting cans in the parking lot. Later on in the day, the Fish LA and the band took the donations to the Orange Country Rescue Mission and served food, washed dishes and loved on the residents. To view the efforts done in California, watch the video clip here:http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=a63983a3a6f3e393ef13