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

JFH Music Review


Christon Gray, School of Roses
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Christon Gray
School of Roses



Genre(s): R&B / Hip Hop / Rap
Album length: 14 tracks: 54 minutes, 55 seconds
Street Date: March 25, 2014


Until just recently, I had never heard of Christon Gray, but then I saw two of my favorite rappers post on Facebook to check him out. Who can resist that? Thus, here we are with an artist who raps, sings, produces his own music and, per his website, is taking a more sophisticated approach to the hip hop game with influences of classical, jazz, and soul tunes. Sounds to me like this can either be stellar or a big disaster; let's see, shall we?

Right off the bat, you're thrown into smooth singing with a rather unique synth style added in for good measure, and you'll start to wonder, "What is this?" You'll have to hang on and listen to the next few songs before any decision can be made on what exactly you're hearing. As it turns out, it is indeed some seriously good flowing R&B. I mean this dude can sing, he can rap a little, and the music is ultra-smooth. The album is titled School of Roses and has three title tracks: "Roses 101," "Roses 102," and "Roses 103" which are clearly the best songs on the entire album. The music is mostly beautifully laid piano keys blended with Christion's suave voice telling of many struggles in life, and the result is a set of raw, emotionally charged tracks. Later on, "Hello Or Goodbye" and "Super Dave" continue to showcase his vocal ability and are good tunes.

You will also catch some hip hop gems on this album in songs like "Moving On" and "Vanish," where Swoope collaborates, creating a nice collective effort on two solid tracks. That being said, not every song is done perfectly, but maybe I'm just being picky here. "Convenient" and "Lady Gray" don't flow as well as the other songs, but ending the record is "Arena," a powerful track about God coming back to save us even though we are so undeserving. All in all, this certainly is one of the better albums I have heard in this early part of 2014, and it will easily make a run for one of my favorites of the year. There are some flaws, and not everyone will enjoy the uber-creativity, but I can't help but really dig it.

- Review date: 4/27/14, written by Kevin Hoskins 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!

 

. Record Label: Collision Records
. Album length: 14 tracks: 54 minutes, 55 seconds
. Street Date: March 25, 2014
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. The Last Time (1:39)
  2. Wanna (feat. Jgivens) (4:27)
  3. Windchaser (3:19)
  4. Vanish (feat. Swoope) (3:40)
  5. Roses 101-After All (3:12)
  6. Hello of Goodbye (4:16)
  7. Moving On (2:59)
  8. Convenient (feat. Wes Pendletone) (4:03)
  9. Super Dave (3:04)
  10. Roses 102-Burning House (5:21)
  11. Nostalgious (feat. Taelor Gray & B. Reithe) (6:11)
  12. Lady Gray (Easy to Love) (3:51)
  13. Roses 103-Ghost (3:43)
  14. Arena (The Final Hour) (5:10)

 

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