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

JFH Music Review


All Things New, The Good News
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

All Things New
The Good News



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop Rock
Album length: 10 tracks: 33 minutes, 14 seconds
Street Date: September 25, 2015


All Things New is seeking to redefine themselves with their second album, The Good News. After the success of their self-titled debut, the band was reminded they don't want commercial success, but to spread the gospel. "We aren't in this for anything other than reaching people with the message of the hope that they have in Christ," lead singer Garrett Hornbuckle said. The change in focus on this album is noticeable, but so is a shift in musical style. It seems that, along with their commercial success, All Things New has also abandoned the southern edge to their poppy sound, and simply become pop. This album features even more crowd vocals than the last, including "oh-oh-oh"s in all of the songs. For listeners looking for upbeat music they can clap and sing along to, The Good News definitely fits the bill.

For the most part, the album does what the band intended: to proclaim a life of freedom through Christ. The album's title-track says the good news is "that He came to save, He made a way." It emphasizes the sacrifice of Jesus and the freedom Christians experience through that payment for our sins. "We Are Free" also talks about freedom declaring, "We're reaching for our dreams, brave enough to sing we are free." Rather than focusing on Christ, this song centers on the Christian's ability to face their fears and go have adventures. The following song, "Who We Are," speaks of freedom from the struggles of life, such as raising a child as a single mother. Like "The Good News," this catchy song attributes this freedom to Jesus' sacrifice, "there's a promise for the lost, there is power in the cross." Although it's good the band maintains their emphasis on the gospel, these songs seem somewhat redundant, both in lyric and sound.

All Things New does a decent job at arranging the tracklist with rising emotion. The album begins with "You Love Me for Me," a song about how God loves people even when they lose their way. The second song, "I'll Be" hones in on what it's like during times of loneliness. These feelings of isolation are shaken off by the third track, "Can't Hold Me Down," which tells the devil he has no power over them. But by the next song, "Believe," the band portrays the times when one is completely unable to feel God, and needs God's help to even believe in his existence. From there, they include the song, "Take Me Back," another cry for God to rekindle the flame of faith. Finally, the aforementioned songs firmly pronounce the liberty we have in Christ. With this arrangement, All Things New takes the listener on a journey from belief to doubt, to reaffirmed belief. One song that breaks the flow of this linear theme is "Changed," a song written to a third-party that the singer has hurt in the past. Its inclusion at track nine is confusing and not cohesive with the rest of the album.

Overall, The Good News seems to lose the interesting flavor the band displayed in their debut album. It is clear they had fun with the album and fulfilled their passion for a straight-forward presentation of the gospel. Listeners should expect an uplifting experience, but should not get their hopes up for a deep or spiritually challenging album.

- Review date: 9/21/15, written by Emmalee Manes of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: BEC Recordings
. Album length: 10 tracks: 33 minutes, 14 seconds
. Street Date: September 25, 2015
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. You Love Me For Me (2:54)
  2. I'll Be (2:55)
  3. Can't Hold Me Down (3:39)
  4. Believe (3:27)
  5. Take Me Back (2:50)
  6. We Are the Free (3:26)
  7. Who We Are (3:44)
  8. All Because You Loved Me (3:26)
  9. Changed (3:37)
  10. The Good News (3:20)

 

 

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