This week we have a number of great reviews on cMusicWeb.com. First, there's
the latest from Pillar, a true rocker of a disc. We've recently heard that
Virgin Records is picking up the disc for wider distribution, so here's
hoping you can request it as well as Skillet on mainstream rock radio. Then
we've got reviews of Bethany Dillon, Sara Groves, and more, plus a number of
news stories that may pique your interest.

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.


WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE - PILLAR (2004)
by Scott Bush

So the other day I got my pre-ordered, autographed copy of Pillar's latest,
Where Do We Go From Here. I've been waiting two long, long years since their
last album, 2002's Fireproof, and a lot can happen in two years. Some bands
form, release an album and burn-out in less time than that. Following a
second lineup change that sees Lester Estelle replace former drummer Brad
Noone, Pillar emerges from the studio like a bear after hibernation and
makes a simple, but powerful, statement to the world: "We're back."

A change in membership does not always indicate a change in sound; in this
case there is one minor change. Gone (mostly) is the "rap" part of the
rap-rock style that earned these guys a name. Instead, listeners are treated
to a healthy serving of straight-forward, in-your-face, hard rock. Twelve
glorious tracks, forty-two minutes and twelve seconds of driving guitar and
crashing drums that makes a guy like me start head-banging while playing air
instruments.

The thing Pillar does better than most Christian rock bands is find a way to
put forth an aggressive, challenging message about God's love and mercy in a
format that is entertaining as well. So many bands fall into the rut of
focusing only on struggles in life, but Pillar espouses the attitude that,
while life has a way of wearing us down, a positive outlook bordering on
defiance can be just as important as faith. It's hard to think of another
band making music capable of grabbing mainstream listeners' attention
without watering down the message. (Are you listening, P.O.D.?) And on this
offering, Pillar raises the bar just that much higher, simultaneously
building on and holding true to their roots.

While the bulk of the disc will sound very familiar on first listen, there
are some departures from the norm worth noting. Track 3, "Holding On," has
more of a punk feel to it, including the frenetic pacing and mono-chord
guitar. "Simply" is a slow, driving number complete with, fittingly, a
simple message: Let God help you. How many times have you regretted
something you've done, thinking "I've made it so hard on myself / turning my
back on how You felt"? One of my favorite cuts, "Frontline," reminds me a
lot of Fireproof's "Echelon," right down to the military theme. Immediately
after that is the heaviest song on the project, "Underneath It All." I heard
this track when I saw Pillar in concert earlier this year, and it seemed
then (and now) that this was a showcase piece for the new drummer.

It would be cliché to suggest third time's a charm for this band,
particularly since they had such a strong sophomore release. What I can say,
however, is that this group has a plan and the talent to execute it. Just
enough experimentation to bring something new, but holding onto enough of
the old to retain their listeners, Pillar has produced something that makes
them the early favorites for Best Rock Group at next year's GMA awards.

Find out more about Pillar at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/hardrock/pillar


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Sara Groves - The Other Side of Something
http://cMusicWeb.com/folk/saragroves/othersideofsomething.shtml

Review: Jim Murphy - It Was You
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/jimmurphy/itwasyou.shtml

Review: Bethany Dillon - Bethany Dillon
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/bethanydillon/bethanydillon.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JULY 20 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

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

PALISADE - PALISADE
This new pop/inspirational act will definitely do well in the radio arena.
First, the group is two guys and girl, which brings comparisons to adult pop
groups like Avalon. Second, their music is a bit less produced than Avalon,
bringing raw guitars and beautiful piano instead of the techno-pop sound. In
short, this is the exact formula for adult pop.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- GRITS Deliver Even More In 2004
- Not the 400 meter relay race for Kutless
- Relief work spearheaded by the artists
- The Worship Circus Goes Indie, Releases EP
- 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