In 1996, EDL emerged as a contender in Christian rapcore with their sophomore American Standard. The album secured EDL a solid fanbase with its pop-influenced touch, but both the market and EDL were ready for a heavier, more underground sound when it came time for a third project. Produced by Eric Stenman of Tinfed, Moment of Clarity takes EDL deeper into the rapcore scene with energized hip-hop vocals floating over heavy, angry guitars and rhythms. Several songs are geared less toward radio and more toward genuine rapcore, with hard/soft tempo changes, angry vocal inflections, and violent, pent-up bursts of energy. Other songs, such as "Never Fails," actually have a shot at mainstream alternative radio domination. Tedd Cookerly's vocal and rap performances are stellar on Moment of Clarity. He still screams at times, but most of his vocals feature a crisper, more enunciated rap flow. The closest musical comparison would be Limp Bizkit, though some songs, like "The Choice is Yours" and "Wrecking Ball," resemble straight hip-hop a la House of Pain. With "Time to Change," Cookerly even does some actual singing, nicely breaking up any hint of monotony. Most importantly, Cookerly's much-improved style helps separate EDL from the overplayed barrage of rapcore frontmen trying to imitate vocalists like Rage Against the Machine's Zach de la Rocha or Korn's Jonathan Davis. The new album also benefits from the excellent guitar tones and heavy crunch delivered by guitarist Carl Weaver and a solid, forceful beat laid down by Eric Wilkins. Moment of Clarity also benefits from the fresh perspective of new bassist Jeff Elbel (Farewell to Juliet, LSU), who offers a well-placed melodic sensibility in addition to holding down the low end. KMG, label home to EDL, recently made a weaker stab at rapcore with the band American Made; don't judge EDL by their labelmate's shortcomings. EDL makes up for them with a solid album which serious rapcore fans and musicians will respect and admire. Without question, Moment of Clarity has the potential to help EDL break out hugely in the rapcore scene. Regardless, EDL's genuine rapcore sound stands to influence the entire Christian hardcore scene while making substantial waves in the general market underground.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #79Reviewed by Doug Van PeltWow! Imagine if the monster rapcore band E.D.L. joined forces with Faith No More... This is the kind of commercialism that E.D.L. has added to their potent sound. Tedd Cookerly's scary monster vocals are still backed up by the ferocious and creative guitar playing of Carl Weaver (see "Adieu"), but the band collectively is churning up a new mix of dance, hip-hop, and pop. Overall, this album is…Bandoppler 1999Reviewed by Earl CampbellIt took almost a decade, but here come the props. Every Day Life may have been the victim of some major industry neglect in the past, but with this release, justice should prevail. Moment of Clarity is being distributed in the general market by Paradigm Associated Labels, which includes Big Deal Records, and in the Christian market by KMG. This is a major landmark for the Christian artists who…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Michial FarmerIt's easy to tell what the latest craze in Christian music is. Just look at the independent bands, and if they all seem to be playing the same style of music, you've got yourself a trend. Lately, it seems that every unsigned Christian band in the nation is playing some derivative of hardcore. Labels like Screaming Giant and Bettie Rocket are signing these bands by the boatload, and you're no…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Joe RockstrohWhat a shame that when Christian music finally graduates some quality bands to the mainstream, they release sub par albums. While there are some high quality songs such as the radio ripe "Represent" and the screaming, classic EDL hardcore of "Let It Ride", the atrocious rapping that permeates many of the songs ruins a good portion of this album. The contrast between the polished radio ready…Similar sounding releases
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