needtobreathe:The Outsiders

You might think that after three albums that the formula of southern,country style rock might be getting a little stale. Just for thinking that, you should slap yourself in the face. Stale, un-original, boring…. these words never even enter the mind while the notes of Needtobreathe’s new album The Outsiders flow from the speakers and into your ears. Between the raspy, yet emotion-filled sounds of Bear Rinehart’s voice, to their use of distinctly southern instruments, like the banjo, this album bleeds classic southern rock. But mixed in with all of this is the message of the gospel, and a message about love and relationships.

The Outsiders, the title track starts with the strum of the banjo and bring up images of friends sitting around on the front porch, worshiping God, and soon after breaks into full band with its message that we are called to be in the world, but not of the world. We look at the world with outside eyes, and as soon as we realize that, we will have found our home, as The Outsiders. Valley of Tomorrow deals with not being as close to God as you might want to be, and the things that can get in between us, in one instance in the song, our selfishness (“I pull my .38 out of my beating heart, I kill my selfishness, for bringing me this far”). The overiding theme in the song is starting over with God and making him the priority, letting Him set you free in the process.

The stomp and clap rhythm of Lay ‘Em Down will get your foot moving the first time you hear it. But this song is more than a beat, its about surrendering your hurts and troubles and laying them down before God and being washed from the “dirtiness” that is our lives. Simply being in awe of what God has done for us and in us is the theme of What You’ve Done To Me. I could certainly sit her all day and discuss themes with you all day, but I’m not going to bore you like that. What I am going to tell you is that Needtobreathe has certainly outdone themselves on this album, lyrically, musically, and spiritually.

If you need a break from the everyday grind, or even just something new, you should definitely pick up The Outsiders by Needtobreathe. These guys are not only phenominal musicians, but they live it as well. Do yourself a favor and grab The Outsiders ASAP. You will not regret it!