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    The Phantom Tollbooth 1998/Send the Beggar
    Send the Beggar — Send the Beggar cover

    Send the Beggar

    Send the Beggar

    (1998)

    Reviewed by Linda T. Stonehocker

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    Label Rustproof RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1998
    alternative rockpop rockpower pop

    A beggar asks for what he doesn't deserve, what he cannot earn. Send the Beggar's self-titled debut finds this theme running throughout the work; begging God and others for understanding, communication, and forgiveness. The point of view is very dark, but directed towards the tunnel's light, and delivered optimistically by Matt Bently accompanied by up-tempo guitars. While the sound mainly falls into the broad category of modern rock, nods to the Beatles' guitar and string work abound -- the final song, "The Prodigal," a cozy duet with guest artist Christine Glass, is a sort of folk-hybrid.

    This is a strong, accessible, first release from a new label based in Columbus, Ohio, that traveled to Nashville to record with some of the best in the industry. Choir fans should note that Derri Daugherty was engineer while Steve Hindalong and Phil Madeira added their distinctive percussion and keyboards to the mix.

    4 tocks

    Other coverage for this album

    7ball #17Reviewed by Jay WinchesterSend the Beggar is made up of five guys who played in a youth group praise and worship band in Columbus, OH. Talent-wise, these guys have everything it takes to make it big ... really big! Musically, the disc features sterling guitar work by Chris Freeman and Cris Anthony, backed by steady rhythm players Matthew Wootton (bass) and Brett Fitzer (drums). Matt Bentley handles the vocals. Everyone…The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Bert GanglThe first strains of Send The Beggar's self-titled debut offer the listener great hope for the rest of the album. "Tangled With The Error," the album's up-tempo opener, shoots out of the gate with a wall-of-sound guitar texture riding atop a boogie-style drum beat in a song lamenting God's seeming indifference to man's prayers. "Tangled" is followed by "Tuesday Afternoon," a peppy pop gem with a…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by James StewartSometimes listening to an album you can be particularly struck with links between it and another band's work. So it was with this album, or rather the vocals, which strongly remind me of those from Jars of Clay. Once I'd got past this, however, there were a number of very strong differences making Send the Beggar no Jars of Clay copy. The album kicks off with a heavily processed electric guitar…

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