"Heartbreak Town" by the Stand is a blazing hot album! (Can you say "Heartbreak Town?") I will even say that is the hottest album out in the Christian market right now, these guys are incredible. The Stand is "aggressive yet tender, blending an alternative flare with brutal acoustic 60's." They have the raw talent of the Altar Boys "GLM" album and so much potential that it's scary.
"Heartbreak Town" is their first album but the Stand have some great references, they have played with bands such as: the Knack, Brian Setzer (Stray Cats), the Bangles, the Unforgiven, the Romantics, Devo, Concrete Blonde and R.E.M. Although this is their first album, the Stand has been busting Christian and college charts all across the country.
The album is great. With influences from the Beatles to R.E.M., the Stand can put music out that kicks hard yet maintains control. There's a lot of acoustic guitar throughout the album with the best talent displayed in songs such as "Heartbreak Town," "Everyday," "J146," and their version of "Amazing Grace." They have a profound message put to some of the best music I've heard.
"J146" is probably the best song on the album. You can feel the power and emotion thrusting through as each word comes out..."I guess I'll write/ About the tears I have inside/ I guess I'll cry/ For the love within subsides...And it's said/ Trusting people will not hurt you/ Well here I go/ Yeah, here I go again...".
I talked to Tony Valenziano, the Stand's lead singer, and here's a little bit of what he said, "I don't think we're a Christian band but I think we're a strong band of Christians fighting for God and for the cause and for expanding the kingdom...a four man army able to "Stand" for God in front of the world...It's our ministry, it's our life ministry, that's what we're here for...what I was writing about was a little darker period in my life...it wasn't so much secular or Christian anymore, it was plain music about our faith and what we believed in and passing that along in the medium of music...".
The Stand is a great band with a great message, powerful acoustic flavored music and incredible potential. There are copies of the album in the bookstore and I encourage you to give it a try.
Other coverage for this album
Heaven's Metal #29Reviewed by Doug Van PeltSome very cool alternative rock with nice acoustic flavorings. Top picks are: "Every Dream", with its infectious pop chorus and jangley guitar sound; and "J146", a passionate anthem with urgent lyrics from the verse John 14:6.
