Third Day

Item: Come Together
Author: Matthew Williams

Come Together

(2001)

Reviewed by Matthew Williams

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Label Essential RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2001

ccm pop rock southern rock

There's something admirable when an artist finds his niche, explores it to the fullest, and still remains entertaining and creatively liberated in the process. That's exactly what you'll find on Third Day's fourth studio album, Come Together.

Remaining true to their southern roots, the album contains a mixture of the sounds that propelled them to the forefront of the Christian music scene, while also wandering a few feet out of their own backyard to try a few new musical endeavors.

The title track showcases Third Day frontman Mac Powell's gritty lead vocals in the call to believers to put up, not just a united front, but a united whole in the face of the enemy. The song is an unashamed anthem and is destined to become a favorite among fans. Lyrically, the song becomes a tad tedious, but is fueled by its priceless message.

"Forty Days" celebrates a faith that stands tall amidst the storm of trials undergone on earth. Falling in the vein of the southern rock found on Time, the song possesses a driving beat, courtesy of drummer David Carr and bassist Tai Anderson and some relentless, grinding guitar work from the duo of Mark Lee and Brad Avery. Powell offers a gem lyrically when he wrestles with trials faced:

Here I am in what feels like the end
So I turn to You, my Lord, again
With this sorrow buried deep within
This heart that You have made

"Show Me Your Glory" is another great addition to the ever-growing arsenal of praise/ballads that Third Day has assembled. Written by guitarist Mark Lee and Marc Byrd, the song boasts some of the most beautiful lyrics and worshipful music from Third Day. Powell sings of God's glory being "glimpsed in the corner of my eye" and later as "a flash of lightning reflected off the sky."

"Get On" bleeds over musically from "Show Me Your Glory" and tackles the problems of gossip and slander that so often become typical parasites within the Church. Powell takes a pro-active approach in his songwriting, and doesn't beat around the bush with his thoughts, singing, "I've decided that I won't listen, because your words only bring division. Get on, get on, and get away from me." It's on this track that Third Day cuts loose, musically, and cooks up some classic "southern-fried" rock.

"My Heart" marks the lyrical debut of Avery into the mix and is coupled with a tune that tightropes the ledge between rock and pop. "Still Listening" is a fun, rootsy track that sounds something akin to a "Gaither Homecoming," Third Day style, of course.

"It's Alright" looks for peace on earth while anticipating the return of Christ, while "I Don't Know" sounds similar to Time's "Can't Take the Pain," with moody orchestrations and guitars ruling the scene. "When the Rain Comes" ventures into the easy listening genre and boasts some excellent acoustic guitar playing from Lee and Avery.

Come Together is not a perfect album, though. "I Got You" is the one huge step away from the typical Third Day. The harnessed pop-sounding tune features assorted record scratches and skips and keyboard elements that may alienate some fans. However, Powell's signature vocals remain consistent and passionate in its delivery.

The latter half of the album drags a little, as well, with no true driving rock to be found after "Get On." In addition, Third Day's earthy signature isn't as readily evident as on Time, as if the album may have been too long in the making and suffered from over-production.

However, the band has made some definite strides. The guitar work of Lee and Avery is a definite highlight of the album. The duo has quietly matured into two of the more accomplished and creative guitarists in entertainment and seems to have fed off of each other's work throughout Come Together. Powell seems more like a man on a mission than a performer, which adds credibility and realness to his vocals, and the band sounds very comfortable in their sound, without sounding stagnant or trite.

And that, essentially, is what makes Come Together a quality record. It takes full advantage of what makes Third Day one of the premier musical acts today (Powell's gritty vocals, Avery and Lee's nimble and creative fretwork, and just plain good southern rock) and turns out an enjoyable album that should garner them a larger audience and a few more awards to boot. Though not the breakthrough-type recording that Time and Offerings proved to be, it shows that the boys from Georgia know what makes them a good band. And they do these things well.