Reality Check plays like a buffet for the ears, aimed at listeners who love dc Talk, Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline and even PFR. If you take elements of these bands and mix in a little 311, you get an idea of what Reality Check sounds like. The group raps a la dc Talk's Free At Last and mixes the guitar element of dc Talk's Jesus Freak, the fun grooves of Audio Adrenaline, and the Beatlesque harmony of PFR. This may sound like they're wishy-washy and trying to please everyone, but that's not it. The sound is more creative than a chameleon, like the buffet got mixed up in an earthquake--and, like chocolate and peanut butter, it tastes great. Lyrically, the songs address our life as believers. "Carousel" paints the struggle with sin as a dizzying merry-go-round; "Speak to Me" and "Losing Myself" are prayers; "Plastic" and "Masquerade" look at how we need to be real with each other. The most fun tune is the short collection of samples over a music bed "Turn It Up," which has that "you gotta hear this one" quality. If you have a hankering for Christian music firmly planted in that '90s pop-groove-rap-grunge thing, don't stop payment on your Reality Check.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse November 1997Reviewed by Laura AdamsCall it alternative, hip hop, rap, or rock, the sound that Reality Check has developed is a potpourri of music, with a twist to it that can only be described as fresh. With their self-titled debut, they demonstrate a sound influenced by many bands before them, with the changing rhythms and style of dc Talk and Audio Adrenaline, and the harmonies of Church of Rhythm and the late, great PFR. The…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Josh SpencerFans of corporate youth group pop/alternative a la DC Talk and Newsboys, rejoice! Reality Check is a very qualified hip-hop/rock/ alternative/rap outfit (4 singers and a backing band, like DC Talk). I don't usually go for this type of overproduced schlock, but I found my head nodding quite a bit the many times I listened to this. It's very catchy, with some cool sounds. They've made good use of…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Shari LloydFans of DC Talk will feel at home with this album, which isn't altogether surprising given that Todd Collins of Gotee Brothers Entertainment did some of the producing. Most of the songs reflect a heavy DC Talk influence but the guitar work is heavier, which I enjoyed. Like DC Talk, these four guys sing while accompanied by a backup band (one member, Nathan, does play guitar). The songs and the…Similar sounding releases
1999Michael HutchenceMichael Hutchence
2000ParkwayGlad You Made It
1998NewsboysStep Up to the Microphone
1994Audio AdrenalineDon't Censor Me
1995DC TalkJesus Freak
2002Del AmitriCan You Do Me Good
