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

JFH Music Review


Ashes Remain, What I've Become
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Ashes Remain
What I've Become



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 37 minutes, 37 seconds
Street Date: August 23, 2011


Newly founded Fair Trade Services, spawning from the INO Records portion of Integrity Media, is home to modern rock act Ashes Remain. Their national debut album, What I've Become, is the newest entrance into an arena that can be considered "radio rock." These guys fit in perfectly with bands such as Kutless, Jonah 33, or Red; in fact, much of the album sounds like it could be from a new Kutless release.

The album starts out with a little edge, along the lines of Red, on the track "Keep Me Breathing." From there, the album quickly takes a turn towards Kutless. The lead single and third track, "Everything Good," isn't a dead ringer, but it sounds very similar to Kutless' version of "Word of God Speak." One of the top tracks on the album is the piano driven "Without You;" this is one of the few tracks Ashes Remain has to offer that actually make them stand out a bit. Although it is far from original in sound, "Take It Away" is an extremely catchy song and is also one of the best on the album.

Lyrically, the album is pretty spiritual. According to the group's bio on the label's website, much of their debut was written from the perspective of what it is like to feel as if there is no hope, where you are your own worst enemy and ultimately what it looks like to go from that very real and dark place to one where there is hope and step into the light. That journey from dark to light isn't always a swift one and sometimes has to be walked many times, but it is a journey that the band is familiar with and feels called to go on with their fans. As lead vocalist Josh Smith puts it, "We're not role models. We're just broken people who need Jesus."

The major detractor of the album, however, is in the music. What I've Become is very generic and unoriginal in sound. To their credit, Ashes Remain are completely comfortable in their own skin. This is a band that knows their sound and they stick to it; this alone puts them ahead of bands like Since October who can't seem to find a definite sound for themselves. The other issue that arises is that the recordings could benefit from another guitar track or two layered on. At times, the tracks seem like they are meant to be a little heavier, but it doesn't come across as such in the recording.

If you are a fan of the everyday average modern rock played in constant rotation on radio stations these days, Ashes Remain are right up your alley. They bring just enough on the side of catchy hooks with What I've Become to be interesting. If you are looking for something new and exciting, you should probably stay far away. Given the state of affairs in the music industry today, I can see Ashes Remain having some success with their accessible sound. Though their debut isn't particularly impressive, they do show enough chops in the style they play to be a band to look at in the future. Hopefully these guys can add some originality and creativity into their fairly polished sound.

- PReview date: 7/17/11; Review date: 7/19/11 written by Michael Weaver 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: Fair Trade Services
. Album length: 12 tracks: 37 minutes, 37 seconds
. Street Date: August 23, 2011
. Buy It: ChristianBook.com
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Keep Me Breathing (2:59)
  2. On My Own (2:53)
  3. Everything Good (3:40)
  4. Without You (3:49)
  5. Come Alive (3:41)
  6. Unbroken (3:08)
  7. End of Me (2:50)
  8. Right Here (2:51)
  9. Change My Life (2:59)
  10. Take It Away (2:40)
  11. Inside of Me (2:51)
  12. I Won't Run Away (3:20)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

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