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

JFH Music Review


Ashes Remain, Let the Light In
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Ashes Remain
Let the Light In



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop Rock
Album length: 10 tracks: 35 minutes, 19 seconds
Street Date: October 27, 2017


READER RATING:   


On the surface, Let the Light In by Ashes Remain may seem like a typical Christian pop-rock record, complete with worshipful ballads and rockers that are just heavy enough for fans of radio rock. Although many albums fit this description, this one shouldn't be swept under the rug. Ashes Remain may not give us something we've never heard before, but they add their own character to make this seemingly-average album something special.

In the opener, "Rise," the band throws us into full-on rock with gritty, passionate vocals, a melodic guitar hook, and a straightforward yet pounding beat. Also in this song, we get a little taste of what's to come from virtuosic guitarist Rob Tahan with a brief but effective solo. "On Fire" is a funky rocker that shows off vocalist Josh Smith's versatility and range, while Tahan wows with more highly technical soloing. The following track, "All of Me," is by far the most radio-friendly since it follows a familiar formula and general mid-tempo rock sound. That being said, this track distinguishes itself from many others largely due to Smith's passionate delivery. There's a lot of heart behind his raspy voice, which, particularly on this song, sounds like a wispier version of Joseph Rojas from Seventh Day Slumber. Like Rojas, Smith brings as much emotion as possible when he sings, "I won't be afraid / to bring my faith, to bring my doubt…all that's broken, healed and somewhere in between." Smith gives an even more moving performance in "Always Faithful," where he declares God's steadfastness in full voice: "You are always / always / You are always faithful."

"Six Feet Down" continues the hard rock swagger of "Rise," evoking the ardent vocals, snarling guitars and pounding drums of old-school Pillar. Unfortunately, "Greater Things" lacks the musical and lyrical passion of Let the Light In's other mid-tempo tracks, and is the only weak spot of an otherwise great album. The band, however, quickly redeems themselves with "Captain," mashing danceable mainstream pop-rock with the darker shades of 90s alternative and 80s-style guitar shredding. In short, it's a fun jaunt through rock subgenres that works really well. "Criminal" is another solid rock tune, though it lacks the adventurous quality of "Captain" and the intensity of "Six Feet Down." Even so, "Criminal" has some of the greatest musical moments on this record. Guitarists Rob Tahan and Ryan Nalepa do some great harmonizing, and Tahan busts out another amazing solo that combines frenzied, Van Halen-style tapping with blazing legato riffs.

"Follow" and "All I Need" close Let the Light In on a reflective note. "Follow" is a pretty song that continues the heartfelt worship of "Always Faithful" as Smith belts, "I'll follow / you till the end 'cause no other / could ever come close." This song also boasts a soulful and appropriately simple guitar solo, providing a nice setup to the bluesy, worshipful closer, "All I Need." The final track leaves listeners with a simple but important message: no matter what we go through in life, Jesus is all we need.

Aside from the rare weak moment, Let the Light In is a solid pick for those who like honesty, passion and good old-fashioned shredding.

- Review date: 10/29/17, written by Andrea Hardee of Jesusfreakhideout.com




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

JFH Album Sampler
. Record Label: BEC Recordings
. Album length: 10 tracks: 35 minutes, 19 seconds
. Street Date: October 27, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Rise (3:11)
  2. On Fire (3:09)
  3. All of Me (3:43)
  4. Always Faithful (3:55)
  5. Six Feet Down (2:51)
  6. Greater Things (3:22)
  7. Captain (3:14)
  8. Criminal (3:13)
  9. Follow (3:18)
  10. All I Need (5:23)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next 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]



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