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

JFH Music Review


Abandon
Searchlights



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 46 minutes, 48 seconds
Street Date: August 25, 2009


It's time to rejoice! Texas rock group Abandon have (or more accurately, Forefront Records) finally released a full-length album. However, most of the songs are taken from their previous two EPs, Abandon and Abandon II. There are four new tracks, but that's all: everything else has been previously released.

Abandon kind of sounds like old-school The Killers meets Sanctus Real. In a way, that really works to their advantage, and it's especially evident within the first few seconds of the opening track. The synth-laden, driving electric guitars and pounding drums hit the musical sweet spot quite well. Unlike The Killers, Abandon's lyrics are not suggestive, and in fact deal with themes of redemption, forgiveness, brokenness, and love. Musically, Searchlights is predominantly weighted toward rock anthems, but there are a few times when Abandon slow things down a bit. Quite frankly though, I don't think "quiet rock ballads" are their forté. listening to songs like "Here We Are Now" and "Your Love Lifts Me Up" are rather unpleasantly reminiscent of many composed-by-numbers pop-worship groups. But it's not all like that, thankfully; most of the tracks have an energetic, almost epic feel to them. Also, just note that only four of the tracks (as mentioned earlier) are new: "Confession," "Here We Are Now," "Safe In Your Arms," and "Your Love Lifts Me Up." However, the entire album is a nice collection of songs for those that don't already own both of the previous Abandon EPs.

So, is it worth delving into Abandon's latest? Ultimately yes, unless you happen to own both EPs, in which case purchasing the entire album would be a bit of a waste. Instead, I'd recommend just getting the new songs off iTunes or Amazon's mp3 store. Also, there are four tracks missing from the previous EPs, so if you don't own the EPs but wanted some of the songs that didn't make it to the LP, take note of this fact. In closing, Abandon's Searchlights - while nothing stellar - is quite an enjoyable rock album, and is worth checking out. Let's hope that their next release improves even more upon the original.

- Review date: 9/2/09, written by Adam Dawson of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



Since early 2008, Abandon has been floating around the music scene with a few EPs which have allowed spectators to see what this San Antonio-based alt-pop rock group is capable of. On the band's full-length national debut on Forefront, Searchlights, Abandon offers their best and most popular tracks like the aggressive rock song "Providence," the softer, electronically influenced "City Lights," and the good "Hold On." Of the four new tracks, "Confession" is probably the best with its alt-rock twist and great echoing background vocals. And like much of the album, "Safe In Your Arms" and "Here We Are Now" are solid pop rock tracks, but are not absolutely overwhelming. Throughout Abandon's album, the lyrics contain praise and worship overtones while communicating complex lyrics which, at times, are taken right out of Scripture. Some may question the wisdom of releasing a 12 track album which only has four new songs on it, but Searchlights is finally an album that this promising band can reference. - Nathaniel Schexnayder

 

. Record Label: Forefront Records
. Album length: 12 tracks: 46 minutes, 48 seconds
. Street Date: August 25, 2009
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Hold On (3:53)
  2. Song For The Broken (4:09)
  3. Confession (4:02)
  4. Be Alive In Me (3:34)
  5. Here We Are Now (3:51)
  6. Providence (3:26)
  7. City Lights (4:18)
  8. Safe In Your Arms (3:59)
  9. Atmosphere (4:20)
  10. Here Waiting (3:56)
  11. Your Love Lifts Me Up (3:46)
  12. Hero (3:45)

 

 

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]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

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]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - 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]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
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