Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Jeff Anderson, A Thousand Tongues EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Jeff Anderson
A Thousand Tongues EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 4 tracks: 19 minutes, 29 seconds
Street Date: July 5, 2011


After a modest introduction into Christian music with his debut album, Seamless, through Gotee Records in 2005, Jeff Anderson laid low for a few years but is getting ready to release his sophomore full-length record this year. In preparation for it, Anderson has given listeners a four-song taste of what's to come. Titled A Thousand Tongues, the EP may not quite be the grand reintroduction to listeners that it's intended to be.

The EP opens with the Coldplay-ish "Glory to God." Nothing against Coldplay, it's just been done many times before. The music is excellent but once the vocals come in, the song loses its punch as the vocals aren't very strong and the harmonies feel weak. However, "There is a Light (His Name is Jesus)" is much more effective. Anderson's low and soft vocals sound terrific paired with the ambient music. Unfortunately, near the halfway poin, his voice seems to struggle as he tries to belt it out. Oftentimes, raw vocals get pushed to the side when they should be embraced; while they can be very appealing, sometimes a singer should stick to what they do best and stay put.

The title track, "A Thousand Tongues," is indeed the worship song written so long ago by Charles Wesley and covered more recently by David Crowder*Band. While the music is very calming and great to listen to, it suffers from the same problem that the previous songs did: weak vocals. In addition, the melody is simply not easy to follow. Instead of paying homage to the original, Anderson deconstructs the song and rebuilds it as his own. Some people might think this is a great idea, but I would disagree. It is good to interpret differently but to deter so far from the original seems to remove the heart of the song. On a happy note, in the final track, "Your Love Never Fails Me," Anderson finds his sweet spot and sticks with it for most of the track. The passion is so strong as Anderson sings, "Though the world around me crumbles and the voices in my head say, 'I can't do it,' I will go with you." The simplicity of the song is beautiful. His falsetto shines here and the music complements his voice perfectly.

Jeff Anderson's release might not be a complete hit, but it is definitely not a complete miss either. A Thousand Tongues features some great music with a flair for melodic piano-rock. If you are into that style and extremely raw vocals with Christ-centered lyrics, you'll find what you're looking for. Sadly, it won't be anything you haven't already heard.

- Review date: 7/7/11, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

. Record Label: United Republic Records
. Album length: 4 tracks: 19 minutes, 29 seconds
. Street Date: July 5, 2011
. Buy It: BreezeFire.com

  1. Glory To God (5:31)
  2. There Is A Light (his name is Jesus) (4:30)
  3. A Thousand Tongues (3:42)
  4. Your Love Never Fails Me (5:47)

 

 

 

 

Leave a Comment


 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH




This Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]

Next Friday, November 15, 2024
ALBUMS
Dolly Parton & Family Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables [Owepar Entertainment]
The Lore Family Faith Over Fear [Horizon]
Fernando Ortega For All the Saints - EP (independent)
Earnest Pugh Worth is the Lamb
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) - EP [Curb]
Paul Wright III Reverie [United Alliance]

SINGLES
Big Dismal Here In My Heart - Single (independent)
Hannah Kerr It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Curb]
Olivia Lane Silent Night - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Wake Up It's Christmas - Single [BEC]
Jamie MacDonald A Million Chances - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ronnie Martin On Christmas Morning - Single [Velvet Blue]
Hunter Plake Daylight - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr Christ is Here - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Divine Discontent Vinyl [Word]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images