The 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 Chrissy Franklin, programmer Jesse Dworak, and drummer David Adams, giving this project a Pet Shop Boys meets Duran Duran 80s styled feel.
The opening track, the disc's title cut, starts off the album with a bang. The tune rises in volume as it goes on with guitar-based riffs, proving right from the get go the group's evolution. The disc is also different in that it features a ballad called "Waterfall," also an uncommon occurrence on an Echoing Green album.
More true to their past are tunes like "Head Over Heart (Yesterday's Taking Over)" and the album's finale "Nightfall and Splendor." Lyrically, this disc is the group's most mature effort as well. For instance "Nightfall and Splendor" combines simplicity and poignancy.
"When the waters of my soul threaten to run dry, there your power holds...turning the tide."
The song "Liberation" speaks of hope coming from a dark period in one's life by completely surrendering to God's will.
"The weight of a good day gone black. The weight of a heart under attack. This is where I stop pretending that I'm not in need of mending...and let it go."
Despite all of the positive changes, the group may have a hard time getting out of the starting blocks, due to their new record label that's significantly smaller than their former home at Five Minute Walk.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Lisa ReidJoey 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…
