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

JFH Music Review


Lecrae, Gravity
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Lecrae
Gravity



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 15 tracks: 56 minutes, 28 seconds
Street Date: September 4, 2012


Lecrae has been very prolific over the past two years as he released two full-length albums and a mix tape leading up to his latest LP, Gravity. Crae shocked some folks with Church Clothes and the controversial title track was an honest and needed look at today's church. From there, one could only guess where he would go next. With Gravity, Lecrae turns back the clock a little with songs that more closely resemble Rebel as a whole. There aren't any club songs on the album like found on the two Rehab albums, but there is some R&B featured here and there, such as the album's closer, "Lucky Ones."

Lecrae starts things off in an explosive manner with the hard-hitting "The Drop (Intro)." There is no doubt that this track will have your head bobbing to the beat in no time. If anyone has been questioning whether or not Lecrae still has it, all doubts should be erased after one listen. The title track, "Gravity," features the soulful voice of JR on the chorus, but finds Crae painting with a seemingly broad brush about police corruption as he claims, "My onus is to keep the police from ridin' all up on us" in the opening verse. It's unclear as to why it has become his obligation to end the apparent widespread police corruption, but the song begins to sound reminiscent of some secular "the police are out to get us" songs.

Following the slower "Gravity" is the solid Novel-featured "Walk With Me." The song has a great groove and features one of the best lines in the album as he raps, "Ah, I'm on a mission, they probably think I'm missing some screws, but it's these three nails that keep me driven. If God ain't with me I know that I'm gonna fail…" The next song of note is "Falling Down," which features Trip Lee and Swoope. Trip kicks the joint off and helps to make the track stand out as memorable. Immediately after is this reviewer's favorite track, "Fakin'." Thi'sl's guest spots always bring a smile to my face and his spot here is no different. The first two verses focus on "wannabe" gangsters, but shifts focus a bit for verse three as Lecrae prays, "I turn to the Father. I'm praying, Lord, forgive 'em cuz they lyin' like Mufasa" and "I pray the Lord save 'em before He drop 'em."

Skipping forward several tracks to "Power Trip" will get you to the next song that really stands out. PRo, Sho Baraka, and Andy Mineo are all featured on this one and another lyrical bright spot appears in the opening verse with, "The lust for power go to your brain if you let it. You say, 'What up dog?'; I hear god, I'm so dyslexic." Next up is "Lord Have Mercy" featuring Tedashii; the song is easily one of the album's best. If you have a good system in your car you're going to want to crank this one as the bass hits hard throughout. Tedashii's guest spot turns out to be one of the best on Gravity and you will find yourself wanting to bump this track over and over again. "I Know" is a Lecrae solo track and is the last real noteworthy track on the album.

As a whole, Gravity resembles Rebel more than any of his previous works. With that being said, Gravity isn't quite up to the level of Rebel. While it is refreshing to see Lecrae stay away from the club songs and stick to straight-up hip-hop and rap mostly, several of the songs just seem to fall a little flat. About half of the album is really special while the other half is decent. I wouldn't say that the other songs are forgettable, but this is a disc you will more than likely find yourself skipping through each time you listen. Whether you call him Lecrae, Crae, or Creazy, he has released another album of solid Christ-centered material. While it may not be his best work to date, there are enough tracks that demand your attention to warrant giving Gravity a listen.

- Review date: 9/3/12, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



Creazy is back, and for the first time in quite a few years, I can say with confidence that Lecrae is reaching his full rap potential. I haven't really enjoyed much of his stuff since Rebel came out, due to the lack of actual rapping involved. It seemed that Lecrae tried to be overly creative and ended up falling short in the process. But then Gravity came out, and he's back to what he does best.

The album starts banging with "Intro" and the beats stay hot all the way through. Many tracks offer stellar rhymes and a slew of guest spots with the likes of Trip Lee, JR, and Tedashi all guaranteed to please hip hop heads. "Falling Down," "Power Trip," "Lord Have Mercy," and "I Know" are simply triumphant in both sound and lyrical content, making for amazing rap tunes. Not every track is a standout, though; the few spots of R&B pale in comparison to the other tracks stylistically and are not necessarily needed. Lastly, "The Lucky Ones" is an ultra-creative joint with pace changing goodness and lyrics that remind us how lucky we truly are, and the end result is a perfect song.

All in all, the album is solid and Lecrae is back to simply spitting Christ-driven tunes. The rapping is tight, the production is on point, and the message hits home. Go out and pick up Gravity the day it drops. - Kevin Hoskins, 8/28/12

 

. Record Label: Reach Records
. Album length: 15 tracks: 56 minutes, 28 seconds
. Street Date: September 4, 2012
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. The Drop (Intro) (2:55)
  2. Gravity (feat. J.R.) (3:42)
  3. Walk With Me (feat. Novel) (3:15)
  4. Free from It All (feat. Mathai) (3:34)
  5. Falling Down (feat. Swoope & Trip Lee) (4:58)
  6. Fakin' (feat. Thi'sl) (4:06)
  7. Violence (3:09)
  8. Mayday (feat. Big K.R.I.T. & Ashthon Jones) (4:53)
  9. Confe$$Ions (3:17)
  10. Buttons (3:45)
  11. Power Trip (feat. Pro, Sho Baraka & Andy Mineo) (3:57)
  12. Lord Have Mercy (feat. Tedashii) (3:27)
  13. I Know (3:17)
  14. Tell the World (feat. Mali Music) (3:36)
  15. Lucky Ones (feat. Rudy Currence) (4:37)

    iTunes Bonus Tracks:
  16. No Regrets (feat. Suzy Rock) (3:36)
  17. Higher (feat. Tenth Avenue North) (3:08)
  18. Fuego (feat. KB & Suzy Rock) (3:47)
  19. Lord Have Mercy (feat. Tedashii) [video] (3:37)

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



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