If you're sick of all the cookie-cutter grunge bands filling Christian bookstore shelves, but are scared of the faceless world of electronic music, The Echoing Green offers a fun and joyful musical option. Their high-intensity, melody-driven pop music has been gaining fans the past few years. They deftly avoid the problems that befall many techno acts, like overproduction and emotionless sterility. Underground popularity for the group has especially been strong, thanks in large part to energetic live shows and the Internet. The group's official web site receives thousands of hits monthly, some fans have set up their own home pages for the band, and there is occasional discussion of the Echoing Green on newsgroups like rec.music.christian.
This new album, which came out in June, marks the band's first release for 5 Minute Walk / SaraBellum records. It starts out with the first single, "The Power Cosmic," with an infectious rhythm and chorus that can't help but stick in your head. This song also shows the direction the band (primarily Joey Belville) has gone. While the last album, Hope Springs Eternal, relied upon the heavy guitars of Aleixa's Kevin 131, this album gains intensity elsewhere. Focusing on heavy beats and tweaked electronic effects, there is a happy union between Joey's synth pop sensibilities and the techno-driven production of Scott and Jason of the band Deepsky (responsible for the theme song to MTV's "Amp").
Most of the songs are impressive, but one stand-out track is "Hide," written by Jyro Xhan from Fold Zandura. Its simple chorus--"I will hide myself away in Jesus' care"--and its inclusion on the ForeFront Records' Seltzer 2 compilation should gain it some fans.
The album also features covers of a couple of '80s favorites, including "Accidentally 4th St. (Gloria)" (Figures on a Beach) and "The Safety Dance" (Men Without Hats)--the latter making computer geeks like me dance like freaks when heard in concert! Joey B. puts his own spin on this classic.
It's hard not to like this album. On first listen, the melodies and beats hit you hard. Musically, this is legit. It's not like something you heard in the general market five years ago. It's today, but it's also the future. Joey B. calls his music "aggressive smile pop" because it emphasizes the positive in life - specifically life with Jesus Christ. The lyrics are honest and thought-provoking, hitting upon relevant yet timeless issues. The vocals are also some of Joey's best to date. They are a bit airy at times, but more mature than before as a result of extensive touring. Overall, there's no reason that fans of pop groups like the Newsboys wouldn't like this. It's fun, musically diverse, and has a positive take on life. With this album, The Echoing Green should attract many fans.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
7ball #20Reviewed by Derek WalkerJoey Belville, the mastermind behind The Echoing Green, has been playing his form of self-described "aggressive smile-pop" since his 1992 debut, Defend Your Joy. He's built a considerable fanbase since then. Now, with his self-titled fourth release, Belville is poised for breakthrough. His penchant for creating Euro-pop soundscapes covered with twitching hi-hats and catchy melodies is impressive,…The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Stacey Lee FeldmanThe Echoing Green can be considered one of the foremost dance groups in existence, and the release of their self-titled third studio album finds Joey Belville & Co. once again on the cutting edge of music. Working with the ultra-talented Deepsky team of J. Scott G. and Jason has put a pure electronic spin on the Echoing Green's usual happy synth-pop sound, catapulting this album well into the…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by John Vanden HeuvelOnce upon a time, keyboards ruled the airwaves. Then they vanished. Slowly they've been coming back, and one of the best examples lies in The Echoing Green. Once again Joey Belville has gone into the studio and given us a lovely piece of electronic ear-candy. The Echoing Green, their 5th cd and third complete album, is full of the 80's retro sound, while looking ahead into the future. In what…
