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JFH Music Review




DecembeRadio
DecembeRadio



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 44 minutes, 27 seconds
Street Date: June 27, 2006


It's not often for a new band to release an album that reminds you fondly of what it is you like about rock music. Having been weened on the 90's brand of Christian rock music, my heart will always partially dwell in that decade. Virginia-based rock quartet DecembeRadio seems to pull heavily from the nineties and before, mixing many influences they were brought up on (King's X, Lenny Kravitz, Jet, and The Black Crowes to name a few) to weave a southern rock flavor with style.

The thought of a record in 2006 reflecting some of the more fond elements of the previous decade shouldn't scare anyone off. DecembeRadio's mix of rock, pop, southern rock, and even hints of contemporary, make this a relevant release. It may just be the way DecembeRadio can mix these ingredients together along with a sense of when to be serious and when to have fun that makes this record stand out. The band's bold approach to their faith also seems to be something more frequently found in the Christian artists of the decade past. DecembeRadio's self-titled debut releases at a time when many of the bands signing and releasing within the Christian market walls are struggling not to be slapped with the "Christian band" tag. Sadly, it becomes refreshing when a band like DecembeRadio is making no bones about what they believe in.

A forward approach to their faith doesn't come without its problems however. While the sincerely catchy openers "Can't Hide" and "Dangerous" have driving electric guitars and soaring vocal harmonies, they also possess slightly corny lyrics about not being able to hide from God and wanting to live on the edge with their faith. That isn't to say all of their songs suffer from underpar songwriting. The more subdued tracks "Drifter" and "Least Of These" stand out as fairing better.

Josh Reedy's lead vocals blend elements of Guardian's Jamie Rowe and Reflescent Tide's Jeff Weiss (NOTE: for those who don't know, Reflescent Tide was a band most comparable to Creed, but who were doing the "Creed" sound before Creed even did the "Creed" sound... and they did it better). But DecembeRadio exercises their diverse and varied sound in the third track, tossing a curve with "Love Found Me (Love's Got A Hold)," a pop/rock anthem with a thick southern flavoring and even gospel elements. The soulful guitars, horn accents and gospel choir are all reminiscent of Third Day despite Reedy's distinct vocal contrast from Mac Powell. "Greed" offers a more bluesy classic rock feel ala Reflescent Tide and later Holy Soldier, creating one of the first real highlights of their self-titled debut. "Drifter" shifts gears once again for the kind of southern back porch acoustic ballad you may hear nowadays from Kid Rock, with a little melody flashback to the great ballads Bride once crafted.

"Live and Breathe" is a southern rock anthem with groovy guitar licks and an unashamed worship theme while "Alright My Friend" is a more sensitive pop track about reaching out to someone who's hurting. The band's noteworthy debut draws to an impressive close with "Razor," another driving rock highlight, "Table," a fast-paced rock track that draws comparison to Guardian's later modern rock efforts, and ends with a softer and more reverent tone in "Least Of These."

Familiarity plays out to DecembeRadio's benefit as the band's varied debut is a catchy and spiritually sound nod to the rock music that inspired these guys to get in the game. Fans of Third Day or Big Tent Revival's more edgy songs, as well as Guardian, Holy Soldier, Reflescent Tide, Creed, or just good old southern pop/rock and roll will want to tune into DecembeRadio.

- Review date: 6/25/06, written by John DiBiase




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. Record Label: Slanted Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 44 minutes, 27 seconds
. Street Date: June 27, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Can't Hide
  2. Dangerous
  3. Love Found Me (Love's Got A Hold)
  4. Greed
  5. Drifter
  6. Live And Breathe
  7. Alright My Friend
  8. Razor
  9. Table
  10. Least Of These
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Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

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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]



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