Joey Belville is beloved by his fans, who he insists should be known as friends rather than fans. There are good reasons for this: he's known as "the nicest guy in Christian music." He is exceedingly available to these friends, talking to them before and after shows, freely handing out handshakes and hugs with the music and exchanging email with anyone and everyone who writes him.
All this good guy stuff would only go so far if the music wasn't cutting the mustard. Fortunately, Belville and his cohorts (Chrissy Franklin on vocals, Jesse Dworak on programming and David Adams on drums and programming) have covered that base as well. Supernova is another musical triumph for the band: another album on which they stretch what's been done in the past, another album that comprises the joyfully frenetic synthpop that has been the trademark of The Echoing Green since the beginning. This CD, like the last several, continues the evolution of the band's sound, though the heavy guitar sound offered in the past by such experts as Aleixa's Kevin131 are absent here. However, much of the programming sounds guitarlike and offers much the same effect.
Supernova is also a triumph of the technical savvy of the band, which offered two tracks ("Supernova" and "She's Gone Tragic") on mp3.com before the CD was released, thus building buzz for the album ahead of time. Nothing makes a prospective consumer want to buy a CD more than hearing a supercharged song like "Supernova," which is arguably the CD's best track.
As on many of their albums, The Echoing Green offers a new version of an old favorite; in this case, it's a bass-heavy version of "Defender" and a loop-laden rendition of "Thief." YMMV on these -- some will love them, and some will prefer older versions. Those longtime fans who love new versions of old songs may argue that Supernova is a step down from the high-water mark that is The Evergreen Collection, but that might be splitting hairs -- this is a very good CD in its own right.
Although the prerelease CD offers no lyrics or writing credit, Supernova is clearly due mainly to Joey's writing abilities, both musically and lyrically. Longtime fans will agree; it just sounds like Belville. And that's a very good thing.
Unfortunately, the CD suffered from distribution problems early on: the street date was set at September 19, but Pamplin failed to get it to stores by then. Those willing to do the footwork were able to find the CD within a few days of the original date, but one has to wonder what's wrong with labels and distribution flub the release of such a cool CD. Pamplin should know better than to alienate some of the most loyal fans in Christendom.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisThe Echoing Green have turned over a new leaf in their 8 year career offering a brand new set of guitar driven electronica music. On Supernova, the group sounds less like a machine and more like a band; similar to how fans would see them perform in concert. This project also signifies a new life as the group makes their debut on Red Hill Records. Group founder Joey Belville is joined by vocalist…
