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

JFH Music Review


I Am They, Trial & Triumph
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

I Am They
Trial & Triumph



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Worship / Pop Country
Album length: 10 tracks: 38 minutes, 58 seconds
Street Date: March 2, 2018


READER RATING:   


Nevada's I Am They burst onto the scene back in 2015 with a Mumford & Sons banjo-fueled worship song, "From The Day," that presented the band as a Western equivalent of Ireland's Rend Collective. The rest of their debut album didn't quite live up to that level, but the band's collective energy and verve drew a listening audience, and they received a Dove Award nomination for best new artist.

Their follow up album, Trial & Triumph, finds the band with a few new members, but a continuation of the country-pop / worship hybrid sound that they brought to the table last time around. Opening number "My Feet Are On The Rock" explodes with a down-home country music groove and instrumentation that recalls such radio staple groups (and mixed ensembles) as Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum. The sheer exuberance of the "woo woo" vocals and the take-charge attitude of new band member Abbie Parker are hard to not crack a smile at, and the band establishes a tone and energy level right out of the gate.

"To The One" features a soulful organ line to open the song, and the traded-off vocals between Parker and other band members keeps the energy level high. "How Far We've Come" gallops along on a neat country beat and celebrates the distance a believer has come. This is an important idea, looking back in awe and appreciation for the things that the Lord has done in our past, and the band handles the theme well, "Every step, every struggle / Every triumph, every trial / Look at the mountains we've climbed / Look at how faithful He's been / To deliver us / Look at how far we've come / The story of unfailing love / Jesus has made a way /To deliver us / Look at how far we've come."

"Scars" and "No Impossible With You" tread familiar ground within the CCM world, but are well-written and honestly performed. But it's the next track, "The Water (Meant For Me)" where the band shines the brightest. With a similar feel to Hillsong United's "Oceans" (in both musical and thematic ways), "The Water" is a slow-building powerhouse of a tune that should find an audience easily. "Near To Me," "Crown Him," "Still Here" and "Let Your Love Pour Out" all unfortunately all share a similar tempo and feel, and end the album in a forgettable fashion. The energy and buoyancy of the first few songs on the album is all but dissipated by the end of the album's ten-song run. The album would have been served well with one more upbeat song to bring things home and break up the slow pace at the end.

There is room and great potential in the CCM world for a country-pop worship band like I Am They, and depending on your views and/or tolerance of modern country music, you will either find a lot to like with Trial & Triumph, or want to skip it for something else in the worship genre. But there is much to admire in the professionalism and sheer heart of the band and their devotion to worshiping the Lord through everything that life has to throw at us.

- Review date: 3/9/18, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Essential Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 38 minutes, 58 seconds
. Street Date: March 2, 2018
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. My Feet Are on the Rock (3:03)
  2. To the One (3:21)
  3. How Far We've Come (3:55)
  4. Scars (3:58)
  5. No Impossible with You (3:37)
  6. The Water (Meant for Me) [feat. David Leonard] (4:25)
  7. Near to Me (5:20)
  8. Crown Him (3:49)
  9. Still Here (3:24)
  10. Let Your Love Pour Out (4:06)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



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