To be honest with you before being asked to review this group I hadn’t heard that much about them.  Led by Cameron Jaymes, the group has been working on a full length album over the last couple of years and last year they released a three song EP version of their hit “Fine” which received has airplay on Christian radio across the country.  This past September the band released another EP, a self-titled set that is 6 songs long, totaling 23 minutes. Included is original hit “Fine”, as well as two acoustic originals and their current single that has risen up the charts “Let It Shine.” Also included on the EP is their rendition of the Jackson 5’s hit “I Want You Back.”

This album has pop/soul vibe and has some underlying Christian principles, but expresses more relationship related lyrics overall.  On the whole this EP is good, but I would have hoped for more cuts or even a full fledged album.  It is not typical of a band to release back to back EP’s.  This album’s top two tracks would be Let It Shine and More than a Day.  The acoustic versions of Fine, If You Wanna Cry, and More Than a Day. Jaymes Reunion is moving in the right direction; however the need for a full length release is apparent.

6/10

After garnering up a good-sized fan base after their last album “Til We See The Shore”, Seabird has gained some popularity in the music world, secular & Christian alike.

Set to release their second album titled “Rocks Into Rivers” on December 15th, Seabird builds anticipation for the new album with their “The Silent Night” EP. From the opening guitars of this 2-song Ep, I knew it would be a good listen. They take “Silent Night”, the classical Christmas song and turn it into something of a modern Christmas classic, from the smooth pianos and guitars to the almost haunting vocals. They also take the classic rhythm of the song and turn it into a near original holiday song.

The other song included on the EP is “Joy To The World”. This song has already been featured on the popular show Grey’s Anatomy. It opens with some surprising guitars that take on a completely different tone from the opener, and offer a more mellow, toned down song.

I really do wish that Seabird had released more than just two Christmas songs, but does give us something to look forward to in “Rocks Into Rivers”.

review by Brooks Ginnan of RockTheCross.net, December 4th, 2009

A few awesome songs:

7 Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child – Sounds like going to church and singing with the choir! Such a moving, happy song reminding us that Jesus did come as a child. More so than any of the songs on the cd, this really showcases Sandi’s range. If you want some good ole’ fashioned soul music, this is your song!

8 The Prayer (A duet with her husband Don Peslis) – Such a moving song! Their vocals ebb and flow together, and you really pray this song as they’re singing it.

12 Someday – A song written from Mary’s perspective. We think we know Mary from the Bible. She tells the angel: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:35-38). How can we ever imagine what this woman thought as she birthed a little pink and squirming baby boy? What was Mary thinking as she fed and rocked this infant? This will definitely have you thinking of your own children, and what Mary must have thought every day watching her son grow in to the man we call “Savior.” Did Mary even try to imagine that far ahead, or was she simply enjoying each day with Jesus?

Overall, I give this album 3 1/2 stars. Mostly the expected Christmas songs, with a few very special songs thrown in.

Review by Karen Dunn of Rock The Cross.net, Posted 12/1/2009