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

JFH Music Review


We Are Leo, The Rush & The Roar
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

We Are Leo
The Rush & The Roar



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop
Album length: 11 tracks: 38 minutes, 24 seconds
Street Date: May 26, 2017


READER RATING:   


The first few seconds of "Dimensions," the opening track to We Are Leo's The Rush & The Roar, sound like a mix of One Direction's "Best Song Ever" and the 1975. I appreciate the way artists such as 1D and the 1975 take cues from the 80's but repurpose those sounds in a fresh, modern way. During these opening seconds, I thought I was about to hear something similarly special from the Dream Records pop band. Then my hopes were shattered with the entrance of David Duffield's stale, characterless singing, proclaiming lines like "same song on the stereo" with an odd sense of importance. A strong chorus nearly keeps "Dimensions" afloat, but catchy choruses aren't able to save every song on this album -- especially when most songs boast entry-level lyrics for kids who've never heard music before.

Oddly, this album is front-loaded with its weakest songs. "Astronaut" is as bad as it sounds. "CRZY AWSM" lacks any sense of momentum or urgency for what's supposed to be a party song...and it also lacks any discernible pattern for dropping vowels in its title. (They know they left an "a" in there, right?) "Low Key" is Tobymac-lite, employing Funk 101 bass-playing and a solid guitar solo to establish itself as the only musically noteworthy song. (However, drummer Joshua Sentner does spice up a few tracks with his perfectly-timed fills.) "Warrior" makes the album's most direct reference to Christ with the line "nail-pierced hands," but otherwise the song's message gets confused between God's-strength-through-our-weakness versus self-empowerment.

When "61 / Twenty-Three" shows up, the mid-album appearance of such a great song seems accidental. Thankfully, this song marks a turning point on the album. "Salt Life" is a sugar high of surf rock, replete with a Switchfoot reference. The title track aims for the alternative rock of early-Mae, Falling Up, and Over It, creating a highlight that suggests We Are Leo should forever leave behind bubblegum pop for more rock. "Young Eyes" trails off into meandering territory for its final minute, but it begins as a shockingly beautiful track with lush harmonies and the most modern production on the album. Unfortunately, the endings of most of these songs are crippled by an overabundance of background vocals. And while the whole back half of The Rush & The Roar stays consistently enjoyable, "Shine Forever" and "The Way That I Feel" can't quite stand under the weight of their pedestrian lyrics.

There's also something more insidious to these lyrics than utilizing cheesy cliches. No joke: eight of these eleven songs use the word "feel." This word is usually attached to some vague reference to God, e.g., "I feel your love/strength/breath/hope." And while eight of these songs also make mention to celestial bodies ("sun," "stars," etc.), the insistent use of the word "feel" does more than make we wonder if the album was written from a vocabulary of 65 words. This album presents a version of pseudo-Christianity that's all about positivity, sunshine, and "feeling" God. There's barely a lick of biblical doctrine throughout; instead, we get a lot of hopeful feelings that everything's gonna be alright. (Ignore that Jesus promised hardship and persecution to his followers.) 

Honestly, I would love to hear an album of worshipful pop like "61 / Twenty-Three" (the album's most theologically-sturdy track), an album of unabashed surf rock a la "Salt Life," or an alt-rock album in line with title track "The Rush & The Roar." But I cannot recommend the first half of this album to anyone, especially not the type of cynics who already accuse Christian music of poorly rehashing secular music. But I also can't wholeheartedly recommend the latter half of the album to Christians, in fear that it will support an individualistic religiosity that's more Sola Feels than Soli Deo Gloria. Either way, unless lines like "light it up and let it glow / hey oh come on let’s go" or "rock and roll blue sky feeling" really get you going, this album (as a whole) is not for you.

- Review date: 5/25/17, written by Chase Tremaine of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Dream Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 38 minutes, 24 seconds
. Street Date: May 26, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Dimensions (3:48)
  2. Astronaut (3:15)
  3. CRZY AWSM (Crazy Awesome) (3:29)
  4. Low Key (3:01)
  5. Warrior (3:32)
  6. 61 / Twenty-Three (3:05)
  7. Salt Life (3:26)
  8. The Rush & The Roar (3:38)
  9. Young Eyes (3:46)
  10. Shine Forever (3:37)
  11. The Way That I Feel Now (3:47)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

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