This week we're proud to announce the return of Third Day. "But," you say,
"they never went anywhere, did they?" At cMusicWeb.com we are happy to
announce they are back to their rock roots. Yes, that is right... no more
pop/worship on their latest disc, Wire. Of course, you probably already knew
that, but read our review anyways to get the full scoop. Plus, visit
cMusicWeb.com to see a daily report for Creation East 2004, which transpired
this past weekend.

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WIRE - THIRD DAY (2004)
by Rick Foux

The most uncommon places often serve as the best songwriting locales. Steven
Curtis Chapman came up with the chorus to "Heaven in the Real World" in his
vegetable garden. Skillet frontman John Cooper penned bits and pieces of
"Rippin' Me Off" while at a Marilyn Manson concert. And Third Day wrote the
majority of their fifth studio album, Wire, while dangling over the abyss of
CCM mediocrity. After two sub-par forays into pop and worship, Wire was
shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the band. Even longtime, faithful fans
began to doubt. "Can Third Day still rock? Will they ever return to their
roots? Will Rick ever stop dissing them?" The answer to all of these
questions is a resounding, gratifying, "YES." Ladies and gentlemen, Third
Day is back, and they're making up for lost time.

Wire takes all that is good about Third Day and amplifies it by 600 watts.
While it doesn't match Time, Wire will definitely appease Third Day fans who
have long been waiting for the next best thing. Sonically, Third Day draws
elements from their first three projects and combines them for some amazing
tunes. "Til the Day I Die" opens with a recurring chord progression that
sounds eerily (and we're assuming purposefully) similar to the one found on
"Peace" from their Conspiracy No. 5 album. "It's a Shame," a folksy lament
that attempts to dissuade a close friend from giving up on life, resurrects
melodies resembling those from "Can't Take the Pain." The comparisons
continue as hints of "Have Mercy" and "Did You Mean It" surface in the
rugged rocker "I Got a Feeling," complete with Gospel choir and Mac Powell
hollering, "Can I get a witness?" Yes, folks, it doesn't get much better
than that.

I lied. It gets better. Drawing on prior experience is all well and good,
but it doesn't compare to the all-new material Third Day pioneers on this
CD. Brad Avery and Mark Lee are the all-stars of "Come on Back to Me,"
providing sublime guitar harmony during the chorus, and Powell's vocals have
never sounded better than on "Innocent," smoothly stretching to previously
unheard scales. "Rockstar" and "Billy Brown" are about as raw as the band
gets on Wire, using a bit of sarcasm in each to relay the importance of
being a positive role model. And as proof that everything producer Paul
Ebersold touches turns to gold, the title track is rich with lush string
arrangements and well-blended programming. Furthermore, while there is no
single wire tying every song together, Lee and Powell's songwriting
abilities are at their finest. For example, take Powell's "You Are Mine" –
the finest Third Day worship track since "Love Song." Powell is so grieved
at the thought of Christ's sacrifice that it breaks his heart, yet it's
because of that sacrifice "I can say that I am yours and you are mine." It's
a beautiful melody, and Powell's tender vocals add a level of emotional
depth that isn't even found on the Offerings albums. In contrast, it's hard
to tell if "Til the Day I Die" is written towards God or a significant
other, but the lyrics are a bold commitment all the same: "Nobody's ever
gonna love you like I am / you never can deny / that nobody's gonna hold you
like I am / I'll love you til I die." The biting satire on "Billy Brown" is
so clever that it borders on hysterical, and Lee's dramatic metaphor,
"Innocent," brings tears to the eyes and a flood of peace to the soul.
Finally, "Blind" receives honors as overall best cut on the album. It's
paced perfectly – not too soft, not too loud – and Powell's gritty vocals
describe a life all listeners can relate to: the life of a lost, desperate
seeker before God's intervention. The band really cuts loose at the end, but
unfortunately Mac keeps his vocals in check (we really would have loved to
hear him strike a high note on the last "blind"). Still, 3D's other members,
predominantly Tai Anderson, manage to fire things up while keeping it
melodic and organized. It all combines to produce a "WOW" factor unlike any
other track on the record. Any listener, regardless of their mood, can find
something that speaks to them in "Blind," and the variety of the album
guarantees that there's a song for everyone.

As everyone knows, there's no such thing as a perfect album, and Wire is no
exception. "I Believe," "San Angelo," and "I Will Hold My Head High" are
fairly weak, uninteresting efforts that are best skipped. Still, with ten
other superb songs and unique packaging, Wire emerges a winner. To borrow a
line from "Billy Brown," "We are all watching and expect / that whatever you
are doing next / well, it is gonna be the greatest thing / that we have ever
seen." As much as I recommend Wire, it's merely a transitory project for
something bigger and better on the horizon. For now, though, let's live in
the moment.

Skeptics, rejoice. Third Day has given us a reason to listen again.

Find out more about Third Day at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/thirdday


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Sanctus Real - Fight The Tide
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/sanctusreal/fightthetide.shtml

Review: Chris Rice - Short Term Memories
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/chrisrice/shorttermmemories.shtml

Review: Newsboys - Newsboys Remixed
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/newsboys/remixed.shtml

Feature: Live From Creation '04 (now with photos!)
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/creation2004


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JUNE 29 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

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

DICHOTOMY A - GRITS
The only release of the week, this PICK OF THE WEEK is the first of two
albums from Bonafide and Coffee this year. Fans of earlier GRITS releases
will find an ever-expanding musical landscape and a disc full of songs with
mainstream potential. Still, hardcore fans of hip-hop may not enjoy this
disc as much due to its pop flavor and lack of tackling heavy issues. And
remember, Dichotomy B hits stores in November.


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