Michael Tait is a member of dcTalk. This is his solo record. You probably already have your mind made up. Feel free to read on. You will not be quizzed. The question: Is Empty a departure from the "dcTalk sound?" Yes and no.
While this album tends to "rock" out, it is still one slick CCM-ized puppy, complete with standardized production values and teen tested / youth pastor approved lyrical content, destined to be a favorite with the 12-18-year-old demographic.
Let's give Tait some credit, he does try to mix it up on his solo outing. The majority of tracks snuggle up with MatchboxVerticalFuelLifehouse20Horizon-land, but he does diversify . . . sort of. On "Spy" he kicks out the squeaky-clean-sanitized jams, "Tell Me Why" is sanctified Kravitz 70s disco mellow funk, "Carried Away" attempts blessed-but-lightly-snotty Brit pop (??), and "Bonded" makes a banal concoction of Living Colour and the Nashvegas Robo-Vocalist palatable.
Tait cops the delivery of Rob Thomas, Brett Scallions, and Matt Scannel to results that are superbly ordinary. Rather than taking a risk, he opts for the tried and true of the multi-platinum adult-alterna rock oligopoly. No one can accuse Tait for being light on the hooks. No sirree, bubba. Hooks come aplenty on Empty. The only problem is countless bands have done them all before. Still, one cannot help but tap the toe, and nod the head as the sugar numbs the mind.
Tait's reliance on the market leaders is only furthered by the formulaic song writing of verse / chorus / verse / chorus / bridge / chorus, which just begins to grate on the nerves. But alas, I forget, this isn't AOR. This is pop music, and records clamor for the sacred single (or two or three or four) that lead to gold and, God willing, platinum records.
Tait's label proudly touts that the lyrics are "honest and transparent," which implies that Tait is going for more mature themes than are found on dcTalk records. It would be much too cliché of me to point out choice lines that disprove this assertion. Besides, we shouldn't expect much from Tait. He isn't the poet.
That would be Kmax.
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Josh L!Most people will recognize Tait by vocalist Michael Tait, the band's namesake and one third of dc Talk. It seems safe to say that if Tait proves popular, Michael's superstar identity had a little something to do with it. However, after listening to this album it's easy to tell Michael isn't their only strong asset. The band is also graced by Pete Stewart's guitars (formerly of Grammatrain),…The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by Josh HurstThe first round of the dc Talk solo era has begun with Empty, the debut project from Michael Tait's new rock band, Tait. Tait features some talented musicians, including Lonnie Chapin and his brother Chad Chapin on bass and drums, as well as guitarist Pete Stewart, a former solo artist and Grammatrain member. The Chapins give solid performances on Empty, and while Stewart plays very well, he does…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Megan LenzEmpty is the first of three solo projects that will be released this year by the individual members of dc talk. In this case, "solo" is a loose term since Tait is a band comprised of Michael Tait himself, Pete Stewart (formerly of Grammatrain) on guitars and brothers Lonnie and Chad Chapin (bass and drums, respectively) in the rhythm section. Though Tait was probably the soul third of "Rap, Rock…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadI had relatively high expectations for this project based upon the involvement of the two key members: Pete Stewart and Michael Tait. Stewart made incredible music with his rock band Grammatrain and released a wonderful solo album on his own in 1999. Michael Tait of dc Talk helped Stewart produce that solo album and sang background vocals on many of the songs. It was my hope that the…Similar sounding releases
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