Oh, what fun it is to be a webmaster for a music website! I have been
listening to the new Pillar and Sanctus Real CDs, both of which come out
this week. Both are amazing, so expect them to be getting more and more
attention in the future. Speaking of which, check out our interview with
Sanctus Real on cMusicWeb.com and take a look at the other discs out this
week.

GOT COMMENTS?? - We want your input on cMusicWeb.com! Send it to
webmaster@... or find me on AOL IM.

UNSUBSCRIBE?? - Logon to http://groups.yahoo.com to do so, or drop us an
e-mail telling us why you're annoyed by hearing from us.


FIGHT THE TIDE - SANCTUS REAL (2004)
by Rick Foux

Any sophomore release is crucial in the fact that listeners of the debut
want to know if the particular artist has staying power. Some have pulled it
off without a hitch, while others have produced less graceful offerings. In
the midst of trying to find their identity, Sanctus Real faces this same
increasing pressure of gaining a foothold in the modern rock arena.
Thankfully, with their second disc, Fight the Tide, they secure that
foothold, albeit using a repeat performance to do so.

From the first note of "Everything About You," it's evident how much these
guys have increased in talent. The melodies are tighter and more prominent
than material from Say It Loud, and the band balances decent songwriting
with more than a few catchy hooks. A remarkable bridge on "Everything About
You" throws vocals and instruments into chaotic turmoil, leaving the
listener amazed at the band's harder edge. Following up the opener are "The
Fight Song" and "Alone," both cuts that are the instrumental filet mignon of
the disc. Mark Hammitt and Chris Rohman pulverize their six-strings, and you
can tell they're having a ball doing so. Lyrical gems are found in the Goo
Goo Dolls-like "Things Like You (Everyone's Everything)," in which Sanctus
puts down their own desire for worldly possessions and all of the greed,
envy, and malice that comes with it. "Closer" echoes nearly the same
message, although citing a hunger for a deeper, more fulfilling relationship
with God, and the soft-spoken "Change Me" is a well-written, worshipful
ballad that pleads, "I want you to change me / from who I've been lately /
cause I know I'm nothing without you." Hammitt's voice resonates
beautifully, leaving the listener with a feeling of euphoric praise.
Surprisingly, Fight the Tide is some of producer Tedd T.'s finest work as
well. Every non-ballad track rocks incessantly, and not one song is
overproduced, contrary to some of his prior efforts.

Like their debut, however, problems arise about halfway through the record,
beginning with "The Show." Although it begins with one of Mark Graalman's
impressive drum loops, the funky ska deviation rains out the rest of the
track, leaving it awkward and crippled. The rapid-fire "Message" returns to
signature Sanctus style, but it's quickly killed again by the mismatched
pacing of music and vocals in "Deeds." The track's lyrical quality also
suffers when compared to the rest of the project; it's a simplistic look at
how faith and deeds are intertwined. While appealing to the tween crowd,
it'll most likely strike a sour chord with older listeners. "You Can't Hide"
whimsically takes a line from the popular Dr. Seuss book, Oh, The Places
You'll Go, but like its predecessor, it's a bit too sing-song in style and
points out the obvious message that God is omniscient and omnipresent. A
stellar guitar solo during the bridge is the only thing that saves the track
from yawns. Fortunately, "Where Will They Go" is a blissful combination of
the sounds of Newsboys and PFR, masterful songwriting, and solid vocal
performance. Hearing Hammitt pronounce, "I am lost without your love / Lord
show me the way," is a strikingly bright spot in the midst of a ho-hum
second half of the project. Fight the Tide concludes with the eminently
unmemorable "Say Goodbye," which serves as nothing more than another token
ballad with which to extend the album's length. Bold prediction: it'll close
a handful of Sanctus Real concerts, most likely through an encore.

Thanks to a strong eight or nine songs, Fight the Tide will no doubt win
over the legions of Sanctus Real fans clamoring for new material, and it may
even sway a few of those on the fence. The band's newfound talent proves
that they're ready to take their music to the next level, and you can expect
to hear praise for a couple of their radio singles. Fight the Tide also
proves, however, that there's nothing original or innovative at work here,
and at its core we merely have "just another" rock album.

Read our recent interview with Sanctus Real
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/sanctusreal/interview2.shtml

Find out more about Sanctus Real at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/sanctusreal


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Trevor Morgan - Wonderlight
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/trevormorgan/wonderlight.shtml

Interview: Sanctus Real
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/sanctusreal/interview2.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JUNE 15 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

AMAZING GRACE 3: A COUNTRY SALUTE TO GOSPEL - VARIOUS
In this disc, Nashville meets Nashville... or Country music meets Christian
music. The two genres have been crossing each other frequently, and this
compilation is the latest to do so. This disc finds eleven Gospel tracks
performed by some of today's biggest country music stars.

DIVINE INVITATION - SOMETHING LIKE SILAS
Rock music is definitely still big today, and Christian music's latest craze
is worship bands that rock. While the original rock/worship bands,
delirious? and the Rock 'n' Roll Worship Circus, seem to be under harder
times, bands such as Something Like Silas are getting all the attention.
While definitely not as good as the originals, this band delivers a decent
debut.

FACEDOWN - MATT REDMAN
This live disc by Matt Redman caught me off guard. When thinking of Matt
Redman I immediately expect well-produced studio albums, and this is not one
of them. This live disc captures Matt's raw energy but has failed to produce
any worship songs of the caliber of "The Heart of Worship" after a couple
listens. They may be there, though.

FIGHT THE TIDE - SANCTUS REAL
See full-length review above for more info on this disc.

JAMES CLAY - JAMES CLAY
He's been compared to singer/songwriter heavyweights in the mainstream and
its no doubt his pop/rock sound will get him somewhere. But just how far is
the question.

MOVING ON FAITH - JADON LAVIK
Since the success of Jeremy Camp, Brandon Ebel's Tooth and Nail and BEC
Recordings labels have been accused of going pop. Jadon Lavik does not help
the situation either, for his music will do well at AC radio and maybe even
get another Dove Award.

ONCE AGAIN - FUSEBOX
Fusebox, also known as Rebecca St. James' backup band, is back for their
second disc. Musically, their worship reminds me of the David Crowder Band
with their slickly-produced, "not afraid to rock" attitude.

REVENGE OF THE SUPERTONES - THE O.C. SUPERTONES
The fans who most liked the Supertone Strike Back disc will enjoy this disc
musically. But while it does hearken back to the glory days of ska, the
lyrics are less creative and more worshipful in nature.

THEY'RE ONLY CHASING SAFETY - UNDEROATH
If the girl with the clear air mask on the front does not draw in the
hardcore nerds, I don't know what will. Almost all the lyrics are screamed,
though, so while it's not really my style, the Solid State freaks will
definitely pick it up.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE - PILLAR
In recent interviews, Pillar have proclaimed that they were no good at
rapping and have virtually done away with that on their latest disc. Some
may mourn the fact, but having listened to the disc numerous times, I
believe it is the best yet from Pillar. This PICK OF THE WEEK from Pillar
features hard-hitting rock and most stores will give you a free Flicker
Records sampler too.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- America Says Goodbye To Soul Legend
- And more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
AOL IM - dMusicWeb