On their debut, Better Than This, The Normals brandish charged guitars, melodic vocals and music laced with passionate lyrics. Thematically, most of the songs focus on human weakness and God's grace and love, which are able to overcome those weaknesses. The messages are clothed in descriptive analogies, as the songs portray realistic experiences in the Christian life. The creative lyrics vary from crying out for forgiveness to desiring to surrender all to God. The inventive title track relates the thoughts of a backslidden Christian. I'm writing a book/ But it's got no pages/ Cause You were all I had to say and I guess I have walked away from You/ I'm too slow/ There's God on the phone/ Leave a message/ I'll get back to You soon. In "Apron Full of Stains (Everything)," the verses describe experiences with a sorrowful waitress and a homeless man--showing a desire to love others as Christ loved. These catchy tunes all have a seriousness to them, relating what Christians go through and how all fail at some point or another. But there is also a triumphant note that God is a forgiving, loving God. Fans of alternative/pop bands such as Seven Day Jesus and All Star United are sure to like The Normals. Their debut presents unique lyrics and musical arrangements. Some will find the lyrics convicting and many will consider the music satisfying. It's an album worth listening to more than once.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Bert GanglAndy Osenga, Mark Lockett and Clayton Daily were discovered by Whiteheart's Billy Smiley while playing music sets in and around their hometown in the Midwest. The trio from Normal, Illinois, from which the band derived its name, traveled to Nashville to cut a demo tape at Smiley's request. The demo eventually made its way to ForeFront Records' A&R Executive, Eddie DeGarmo, who signed the band in…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Tony LaFianzaThree young men from Normal, Illinois, found each other way back in grade school and started playing together. And I don't just mean on the monkey bars, these guys started playing music together. Now around 19, this trio has reached a maturity in song-smithing that few bands can claim at the outset of recording. Signed by Eddie DeGarmo to Forefront Records, and helped by Billy Smiley, in one…Similar sounding releases
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