The year 2000 brought us the debut album from Christian rock all-star band Cush. Composed of members of bands such as Prayer Chain, Honey, and Starflyer 59, and sporting lead singer Mike Knott, the band was a hit among long-time Christian rock listeners even before they released an album. That debut from Cush utilized a rather mellow, but very fresh and atmospheric sound.
This year's second outing from Cush, an EP, blows away all preconceptions of what Cush should sound like. Where the first Cush album was lush and melodic, this latest version of Cush majors on rocking out to incredible music. The guitar solos are wonderful and help to create an instant sense of enjoyment for the listener. Where last year's release featured Mike Knott on vocals, this latest release utilizes the lungs of Michael Pritzl and Scott Malone.
While Knott's voice is missed, this new cast of singers fits perfectly with the musical sound of the band.
There is not a whole lot of spiritual depth to be found on the album. However, lyrical depth is not necessarily the main thing that Cush is aiming at with their music. Their chief goal is making incredible music. Songs like "Rev It Up" do create interesting ideas ("Gone up to heaven/ God save the king of punk rock"). The tune "Anchor Deep" also seems to be painting a picture of need for God.
Though this is a rock-out album, there are also a few softer songs to be found here as well. The best of these is "The Brightest Light", which reminds me somewhat of the mellow tunes that the Violet Burning makes. The vocals of Michael Pritzl make that comparison especially easy to make. "Sailing Sounds" is another soft and smooth tune that would work well on a long car trip.
With Cush's EP we see that because of their amazing talent, Cush can pull off pretty much whatever sound they want to shoot for. Though this album is a drastic change from the band's debut, I actually find myself enjoying it even more. I am highly anticipating the next full length from this beautiful music manifesto known as Cush.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerLast year's debut album from Cush proved to be one of the best albums of the year, bringing together a boatload of talent to produce a dreamy, trippy disc. Well this year, the band is back with a whole new sound. Previously available only to those who attended Cornerstone, the limited edition Cush e.p. will soon be available to those of you who couldn't make it to Bushnell. This time around, Cush…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Michial Farmer"The Super-Band Cush" is back with a limited-edition concept EP about the life and career of Michael Knott. Knott himself has left the group, taking with him the dreamy pop sound found on their debut, New Sound. In his place are a variety of vocalists, most notably The Violet Burning's Michael J. Pritzl and newcomer Scott Malone, who, along with the rest of the band, have switched to a 1970s…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithIf you came of age in the late 80's/early 90's as I did, you will think Cush's EP is an undiscovered gem from that era. There are eight songs here that evoke memories of Echo & the Bunnymen, Love and Rockets, the 77s, the Ramones, and Steve Taylor. "Rev it Up" is an alternative song mixed with British punk with a dash of The Doors woven throughout. "Blessed to Kill" plows straight ahead, then…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoWhen in doubt, make it all-star. For Cush, the flame of music refused to die even when the bands the members were in disintegrated. From Prayer Chain to LSU to Adam Again and everything in between, this is healthy mesh of old-fashioned rock and art rock. The eight track EP opens with "Halo Sounds," a track reminiscent of a Prayer Chain song, which is not surprising. Each song carries traits of…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Bert GanglAlthough the colleagues of Cush hail from some of Christian music's most successful and revered alternative rock bands, tagging its collection of artists a supergroup seems somewhat of a misnomer. To be sure, the group's membership includes players from such highly esteemed alternative outfits as the Violet Burning, Duraluxe, Fold Zandura and the Prayer Chain, among others. But, in the words of…Similar sounding releases
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