The White Hot Apostle Strikes Again!
This is not a review of the new Soul-Junk album, 1956. This is a preview of things to come. It isn't the turning of a new leaf, but the growth of a completely new tree--and hopefully an entire orchard.
Once you hear the fruit of the Spirit of Soul-Junk, you'll wonder why David never thought to plug in his harp. Where do I start? The music showers down around you, as an enormous ensemble of robotic crustaceans hammer away on their rattling, percussive armor with croquet mallets. Above you, a flock of bells soar, towing a net full of banjoes, flutes, and cell phones.
As you stumble about in 3-D glasses, falling over a violin-wielding lobster, you land in the embrace of a mandolin-playing octopus. You are now juggled, then launched face-first into an open Bible, joining Isaiah at the altar. Did I mention the trumpet?
Now, if that's difficult to endure, let's journey on to the beauty of this work--its message. Find yourself nestled deeply in a bed of multi-colored blips and bleeps where Mr. Glen Galaxy (a.k.a.--Galaxalag) eloquently delivers his many-syllabled sermon. It can be summarized in three words: "Jesus Not Religion." A call to arms has been given by way of futuristic raps and saturating melodies. A prescription has been issued that you can't get enough of. The harmonies are completely contagious. The beats are delivered with jet-fighter precision, then shattered by an onslaught of chiming guitars, wind tunnel Scripture chanting, and piano/key comets. You would not at all be surprised to hear R2-D2 sputtering frantically from behind the mixing board.
I just got kicked off the lectern at a worship song summit
my hymns all plummet cuz church ladies still can't hum it
but the Kingdom of GOD? yo, I'm from it
man's religion gave me a fake red light so--I'ma have to run it
Few "CHRISTian" bands ever venture out of vague-man's land with the spiritual stamina Soul-Junk displays. Their expression is all too refreshing and their message all too important today.
Hold your life and lose it
release life and you gain it
you grip too tight, it slips (right?) so let it go
Galaxy has once again tapped into his never-ending pipeline of pertinent proverbs and spirit-searching syntax, shining GOD's light into dark corners everywhere. Brother Jon Galaxy's bottomless basket of programming blossoms as always, leaving a sweet taste in your ears. And if Nathan Poage isn't an android, he alone proves talented, human drummers aren't yet obsolete in today's music.
Soul-Junk's new anthems teeter gracefully between some form of alien retro-rock and cosmic-quantum hip-hop. GOD is exalted ("The Uprisen Savior, manifestin' thru these mics & blastin' out your graveyard"), and man is given a clean-cut reality check ("Savor every bite Galaxalag gave you, turn and tell your neighbor / this ball of dirt is going into labor").
1956 has 17 tracks unfolding in just under 64 minutes. Visits from Pigeon John, Pish Posh, and DJ 3rd rail add to the variety and intensity of the lyrical splendor. All of Soul-Junk's work exudes the Spirit and power missing from so much "CHRISTian" music today. However, if the track "Dry Bones" (from Ezekiel 37) can be applied to our present predicament, after a great noise is heard, the bones all come together, are filled with the breath of GOD, and then stand as an exceedingly great army. Do you see what I'm saying?
1956 is a treasure, a pearl of great price. Seek it with all your might. You will neither regret it, nor remain the same.
5/5
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Timothy Paul YenterForget Nelly and Sisqo and Eminem. Soul-Junk had this summer's most addicting, thumpin-in-the-cruiser song; 'Ill-m-I,' which resurrects late-80s rap to provide (a little) continuity to an eclectic mix of digital and instrumental sounds, creating a sweet piece of ear candy that's as fun to dissect as it is to listen to. 'How we flow' follows up with a strong mix of hip-hop groove, off-key…Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Jai AgnishJust when you thought you had the Junk all figured out…nope. It's hard to get a handle on Soul-Junk. Each album brings a new direction, a new move, a new experiment. And like a true innovator, Glen Galaxy distances himself from the past for a slap of random sweetness in 1956. Lots to choose from: jungle curiosities, crazed hip-hop gems, heart-felt and mellow guitar/computer-based numbers and…Opus 2000Reviewed by Jason MoreheadMy first introduction to Soul-Junk was at Cornerstone 1998, when they played an after-midnight set with the Danielson Famile. I'd just spent the night dancing to Joy Electric and watching MC Hammer, and I was tired and exhausted when Soul-Junk began. Their music was the very definition of quirky, with band members all over the stage, playing Casio keyboards and children's toys before hitting the…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Justin W. JonesUsually when Soul-Junk is heard in Christian music circles, they are mentioned in the same breath as The Danielson Famile, and with their experimental style of hip-hop/noise/rock you could see the comparisons. But with their latest album 1956, there is no category other than "genius" that connects these two innovative groups. Far more structured than earlier ventures, 1956 should push them out of…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Steve WhiteIf you were looking for a model of how artistry and faith can be in perfect union, Soul-Junk may have the answer. Because of the group's commitment to their music, it will gain an audience that would otherwise not hear the message of the gospel. Glen Galaxy and his partners in Soul-Junk are pushing the limits of music with their fusion of hip-hop, techno, and indie rock. Soul-Junk quotes…Similar sounding releases
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