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

JFH Music Review


The Advice, The Advice
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

The Advice
The Advice



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 36 minutes, 50 seconds
Street Date: March 26, 2013


When I was younger and would spend time in the Christian bookstore looking for good music, there was a chart of sorts that I noticed frequently. It said something along the lines of "if you like [insert secular artist], you'll love [insert Christian artist]." For example: if you liked Eminem, this chart firmly believed that you would also love John Reuben. The accuracy of such a statement may leave much to be desired, but I was frequently reminded of such guides while listening to The Advice's self-titled Inpop debut.

As soon as the opening track, "You Give Me," starts to spin, you might find yourself thinking "Hey, a Christian Maroon 5!" The pop rock sound mixed with some funk and soul is unmistakable. It's upbeat, fun, and catchy for sure. At the same time, the softer, more AC radio friendly tracks tend to bear a distinct similarity to Dave Barnes' music. The band as a whole takes a pretty generic approach to each song, playing simple beats and straightforward guitar chords. There's the occasional violin line in the background in the ballads, or a dash of horn section in the more upbeat tracks. Vocalist Matt Houston doesn't have as unique a sound as Adam Levine, but then again he doesn't fill his music with profanity and sex either. If a sanitary Maroon 5 is what you're looking for, there's a good chance you'll enjoy this album.

Unfortunately, there just isn't much meat to this whole project. As mentioned before, the musicianship is really average, seeming destined to find a comfortable rotation on CCM radio where it will be sure to not shock or awe any listeners. There's no denying some songs are very catchy, and they are enjoyable as far as that goes. "Your Light Shines" is probably the highlight of the album, combining an uplifting chorus with thoughtful lyrics. But for the most part, there's not a lot to get excited about. Some of the melodies are more awkward than catchy, as is the case in the chorus of "All a Raindrop Knows." "Holding On To You" sounds like it was written using a Ballad Writing 101 guide, hitting all the right emotional stops on top of totally innocuous production. I was reminded of some old Kutless ballads, but with a less appealing melody.

The lyrics are also sadly disappointing. Virtually every track is some variation on the idea of "Jesus makes life great," with frequent references to the sun shining, even "when it gets cold." Of course, these sentiments aren't false but they tend to be awfully shallow. Sadly, the current environment in CCM music expects "positive" messages, so these lyrics will probably go over very well on the radio. I was especially disconcerted with the song "His Name is Jesus," which declares that "His name is Jesus and he can fix all your problems." While it's true that Jesus can fix any problem, there are also plenty of Biblical promises that Christians will have struggles and difficulties in life and problems won't just magically disappear upon salvation. This is unfortunate because that track is musically one of the more interesting songs on the album.

Going back to the very beginning, I won't deny that this album serves a purpose. The Advice do a decent job of appropriating a popular musical style and accompanying it with a more beneficial/less offensive message than what's played currently on secular radio. To that extent, they succeed and deserve to be noticed. But there's more to good music than a positive message. In terms of pure artistic creativity and spiritual depth, this album is simply lacking.

- Review date: 3/23/13, written by Timothy Estabrooks 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: Inpop Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 36 minutes, 50 seconds
. Street Date: March 26, 2013
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. You Give Me (3:06)
  2. Love Me Like That (3:24)
  3. Your Light Shines (3:28)
  4. Holding onto You (3:35)
  5. All a Raindrop Knows (3:51)
  6. Your Love Sets Me Free (3:29)
  7. The Sun Is Gonna Shine (3:24)
  8. Forever Changed (3:12)
  9. His Name Is Jesus (2:46)
  10. Collide (3:10)
  11. Make Me (3:25)

 

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