What can I say? The buzz about these guys sounding like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC is true - partially. The lead singer's voice does bear a resemblance to a young Robert Plant in places, but the music is more like "Zep minus" - minus the heavier touches that differentiated them from the hard rock bands of their day. The vibe actually jumps between Grand Funk Railroad and acoustic-guitar rock.
The first three songs hail from the first camp. After that, the album takes a 180-degree turn with "Foundation," which falls squarely in the latter. Think organic, live sound and mature, emotive vocals.
The album's highlight, both musically and lyrically comes with song number five, the acoustic ballad, "You Are My Life." The song structure and the chords seem familiar, but not overly so; the lyrics are insightful and heartfelt. It's catchy as well, and though I don't recommend buying an entire album for one song, this could be that song.
Unfortunately, the band relies on the tried-and-true 70's vibe for the remainder of the album, whether in hard rock, or softer numbers (like the Jethro Tull/Phil Keaggy-ish "A Melody, A Symphony, A Song"). The bluesy roadhouse song, "Hail Tonight," stands out, and the successful songs on the album use its recipe as well, that of "slower tempo + lower vocal range = greater impact." It doesn't make up for the technical glitches in "Sincerity" or the near-copying of Led Zepplin's "Black Dog" in "Final Stand," though.
New Jerusalem would probably do well to focus on a single style; I suppose you could applaud their diversity, but even diversity must jell. The acoustic numbers might throw off the Grand Funk crowd, and the near-Zep vocals might send the acoustic people running for the hills. And there are a few metal moments hidden in here as well, like the first solo in "Final Stand." Perhaps their best bet would be to keep the lower vocal range and pursue acoustic rock (not that the music world lacks such bands, but they can play the style well). The one thing that needs no change are the lyrics; these are Biblical, straightforward, and easily discernible.
Retro-rockers would get the most out of this, so if Steppenwolf was too heavy for you, start drooling.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Josh SpencerThere are two schools or extremes of thought in Christian music--those who favor imitating the world as much as possible in order to reach souls, and those who believe in being creative and original in trying to be light. New Jerusalem falls as much in the former category as possible, I think, while the latter sums up my opinion. Bummer. Let's get one thing straight, though ...the members of New…Similar sounding releases
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