Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Shonlock, Where Never Begins EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Shonlock
Where Never Begins EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 9 tracks: 22 minutes, 16 seconds
Street Date: November 9, 2010


If you follow Christian pop/hip-hop music at all, chances are you've already heard of Shonlock, although you may not know it. Deshon "Shonlock" Bullock has for many years been a singer and dancer with tobyMac's famous Diverse City Band, and has been a guest on several tobyMac songs, including a version of the hit "Boomin." Last November, Shonlock had the chance to step out on his own as an artist with the release of his debut EP, Where Never Begins.

Where Never Begins is six solid tracks (along with intro/outro tracks and an interlude) ranging stylistically from pure radio pop to high-energy club music to raw rap. The EP's single, "Something In Your Eyes," has already garnered significant airtime on Christian radio, although it gives a somewhat misleading impression of the rest of the album. "Something In Your Eyes" is a relaxed, melodic, pop song driven by a steady electronic beat that would sound right at home on contemporary hit radio. It turns out to be by far the most radio-friendly track on the record, as the rest of Where Never Begins is significantly heavier and geared more towards the club and party scene.

Fortunately, it's excellent music. Shonlock shows himself to be a capable and versatile songwriter and lyricist, and he has top-notch chops when he starts rapping, especially in "Simple Man." Meanwhile, "Bet Yah House" is a frantic track that goes from straight-up hip-hop into a chanting female chorus into some soulful electric guitar. "Set It Off" is begging to be played at a club, while "Monsta" borrows a page from rock music with a chugging hard rock beat and a heavy guitar layer. The latter track even features some screaming. Considering this EP only has six full tracks, Shonlock manages to show some remarkable stylistic diversity, with very few missteps.

Word has it that we may get a full-length release from Shonlock sometime this year. If so, this EP is a very encouraging preview of what he can bring to the table musically. It's also an excellent release by itself, sure to make you tap your feet and get down perhaps just a little bit. If you missed this EP when it released last November, you would do well to pick it up now.

- Review date: 3/19/11, written by Timothy Estabrooks of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Arrow Records
. Album length: 9 tracks: 22 minutes, 16 seconds
. Street Date: November 9, 2010
. Buy It: iTunes

  1. Intro (0:56)
  2. Something In Your Eyes (3:21)
  3. Simple Man (3:05)
  4. Bet Yah House (3:24)
  5. Interlude (0:30)
  6. Q2go (3:25)
  7. Set It Off (3:26)
  8. Monsta (3:38)
  9. Outro (0:36)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Various Artists Songs We've Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven't), Vol. 14 [JFH Music]

This Friday, August 15, 2025
ALBUMS
Mark Bishop Grandkids - EP [Sonlite]
The CCC Collective Brooklyn Culture (independent)
Equippers Worship Awe [DREAM Worship]
The Final Witness Beneath The Altar [Rottweiler]
Grammatrain Flying Collector's Edition CD [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition CD [Girder]
Katy Nichole Honest Conversations [Centricity]
Relentless Pursuit Apocalypsis (independent)
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Johan Åsgärde Coming Home - Single [Gotee]
Dave Barnes Everything But Mine - Single (independent)
Jeff Deyo There is a Fire - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm All God - Single [Curb]
Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, & Elevation Worship So So Good (Live) - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
Grammatrain Flying Vinyl [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition Vinyl [Girder]
Newsboys Going Public Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 22, 2025
ALBUMS
Lecrae Reconstruction [Reach]
Lizzie Morgan Not My Will [Provident]
Josiah Queen MT. ZION [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Dust and Grace Hallelujah - Single [MTS]
Good Weather Forecast Today (feat. Elijah Thomas) - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Invitation - Single [DREAM Worship]
V1 Worship Been So Faithful - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images