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

JFH Music Review


Hawk Nelson, Hawkology: A Hawk Nelson Anthology
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Hawk Nelson
Hawkology: A Hawk Nelson Anthology



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 3 Discs: 37 tracks
Street Date: June 8, 2010


READER RATING:   


Hawk Nelson, in my mind, were the best Christian punk group out there, hailing from the Toronto area. Obviously, since 2012-13 with line-up changes, they weren't the same band and they started down the more pop-centric stylistic road, but, they were still Hawk Nelson.

This CD set includes the first 3 albums in this band's career as signed artists.

The first album Aaron Sprinkle (Kutless, Anberlin, Demon Hunter and countless other bands) produced, Letters To The President, was an outstanding debut release, though only peaking at 35 on the US Christian Charts. The entire album was written by the Hawk boys and Thousand Foot Krutch's Trevor McNevan, who helps with the band's material up until the end of the Jason Dunn era. The top songs on this disc would be the title track, "Right Here," "Take Me," and "Like a Racecar." To sum up the album without saying too much, it's a great release but could benefit from some maturing in the sound.

In 2006, Hawk Nelson released Smile, It's The End Of The World, their best release in my mind, using their Sum 41, Green Day and Blink-182 influences but still sounding like Hawk Nelson, and without the vulgarity of most secular punk bands. This is also the last Aaron Sprinkle-produced Hawk Nelson album. Line-up changes are also here, too, with Dave Clark (Guitar) and Matt Paige (Drums) exiting, and Jonathan Steingard (Guitar) and Aaron Tosti (drums) joining. The album starts off with the Sum 41-influenced "The One Thing I Have Left," serving as a great start to the album, and I feel like it was their best punk/alternative song. The Album charted at 75 on Billboard 200, with three songs peaking in the Top 20 on US Christian and Christian Airplay charts. The record also was nominated for Rock Album of the Year at the 2007 GMA'S. The best songs are "The One Thing I Have Left," "Everything You Ever Wanted," "Zero," and "Head-On Collision."

2008 brought Hawk Nelson Is My Friend, a solid response to their sophomore record. Once again, but certainly not for the last time, line-up changes struck again, this time Aaron Tosti exchanged for Justin Benner. The album opens with another Sum 41 influenced song, "You Have What I Need." Next is the highly Blink-182 influenced track, "Friend Like That." The record also has a surprising co-writer, Raine Maida of the band Our Lady Peace. Hawk Nelson Is My Friend was the most successful album from the boys, peaking on Billboard 200 at 34, number one on Top Christian Albums Chart, 13 on Billboard US Rock, and 10 on US Alternative charts. Only one of its four singles made it to the Top 20 on Christian charts, "Friend Like That." The top songs are "You Have What I Need," "Friend Like That," and "Somebody Else."

This anthology is top-notch Hawk Nelson fare and is worth the price if you can find it. One thing that is different from the individual albums is that Letters To The President has been remastered to be louder; when bought on iTunes the original album is quieter than the anthology version. Other than that, nothing else is different. If I could nitpick at one thing, it would be why not add the Live Life Loud album (2009) with this release (2010).

If you are a Hawk Nelson fan since the beginning, you probably won't need this, but if you have gotten into Hawk Nelson recently and you want to pick up their early works, before original vocalist Jason Dunn left and guitarist Jon Steingard took over as lead vocalist, then this your buy.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 2/28/20, written by Isaac Coates for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: BEC Recordings
. Album length: 3 Discs: 37 tracks, 120 minutes and 44 seconds
. Street Date:June 8, 2010
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

    Disc One: Letters To The President
  1. California (2:52)
  2. Things We Go Through (2:31)
  3. Every Little Thing (3:07)
  4. From Underneath (2:45)
  5. Letters To The President (3:13)
  6. Right Here (3:11)
  7. Recess (0:50)
  8. Take Me (3:30)
  9. Someone Else Before (3:17)
  10. First Time (2:37)
  11. Like A Race Car (2:48)
  12. Late Show (1:53)
  13. 36 Days (3:42)
  14. Long And Lonely Road (3:09)
    Disc Two: Smile, It's The End Of The World
  1. The One Thing I Have Left (3:07)
  2. The Show (3:13)
  3. Bring Em Out (3:23)
  4. Everything You Ever Wanted (4:05)
  5. Something On My Mind (4:19)
  6. Is Forever Enough (3:22)
  7. Zero (4:38)
  8. Nothing Left To Show (2:54)
  9. Head On Collision (4:07)
  10. Hello (3:00)
  11. It's Over (3:06)
  12. 14 (4:50)
    Disc Three: Hawk Nelson Is My Friend
  1. You Have What I Need (2:33)
  2. Friend Like That (2:49)
  3. Turn It On (3:08)
  4. One Little Miracle (2:58)
  5. Let's Dance (3:09)
  6. Ancient History (3:11)
  7. Somebody Else (3:18)
  8. Arms Around Me (3:30)
  9. Just Like Me (2:38)
  10. Not The Same (3:29)
  11. Words We Speak (2:52)
  12. I Still Miss You (3:51)

     



    Leave a Comment

     

     

    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 Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
Planetshakers Weight of Heaven [Venture3Media]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Aaron Cole Mercy - Single [RCAI]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [RCAI]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You - Single [Capitol CMG]
Influence Music How You Do It - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Paul and Hannah McClure Holy Hands (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Lizzie Morgan Can't Help But Praise - Single [Provident]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Shekts Nelson Your Love - Single [Churchboy]
Blessing Offor Crying Out Loud - Single [Capitol CMG]
Remedy Drive Brighter Than Apathy (Reimagined) - Single (independent)
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship The One Who Saves - Single [Integrity]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images