Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review




Benjiman
Activate



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 39 minutes, 23 seconds
Street Date: February 1, 2005


In a time when unique and interesting releases can be somewhat difficult to find, its artists who seem to come out of nowhere who are the ones to surprise the most. Who knew that Benjiman, helming from Lacomb, Oregon, would be the latest artist to keep a watchful eye on? Fans of alternative rock acts Kutless and Falling Up should be familiar with Benjiman's accompaniment work, but his debut solo project Activate is the general public's first one-on-one experience. And an impressive one it is.

Activate opens boldly with the title track. Blending electronic synths, live guitars and engaging raps, Benjiman's sound immediately offers a TobyMac meets Linkin Park vibe. Catchy keys and soulful harmonies provided by producer Zach Hodges give tracks like "This One" and "Trace Of Love" a more Maroon5-laced-with-hip-hop feel. While much of the record possesses this formula, "Upside Your Head" switches gears to serve up a standard rap track ala Mars Ill or even Grits. "One More Time" and "Lay It All Down" finish off the record in this style, with the latter offering up noteworthy and encouraging vocals to drop life's burdens at the foot of the cross.

Much like the sorely underrated Mat Kearney, who successfully took an alernative Brit-pop sound a la Cold Play and created a unique sound by beefing it up with hip hop glazings, Benjiman uses familiar influences to create a relevant and unique sound of his own. With hard hitting songs like the title track and "Outta Time," Benjiman proves to be a force to be reckoned with in modern music. While Benjiman may have benefited by not relying so heavily on the influences he frequently borrows from, Activate remains a solid hip-hop/rock marriage that just might be worthy of celebration.

- Review date: 2/8/05, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: UpRok Records
. Album length: 10 tracks, 39 minutes and 23 seconds
. Street Date: February 1, 2005
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Activate
  2. This One
  3. Original 1s
  4. Outta Time
  5. Trace Of Love
  6. Know You
  7. Kruzade
  8. Upside Your Head
  9. One More Time
  10. Lay It All Down
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images