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

JFH Music Review


Spoken, IX
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Spoken
IX



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Rock / Alt Metal
Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes, 56 seconds
Street Date: September 8, 2017


READER RATING:   


With two decades of music behind them, Spoken has proven themselves to be a prime example of a band continually striving to better themselves and evolve with each subsequent release. Their displayed dedication is a good reason their previous two releases were such knockouts. Illusion and Breathe Again both exhibited the best of their melodic alt-metal sound, but IX finds them at an artistic standstill.

With only ten tracks, IX is a much shorter release than what we've gotten in the past and this both aids and hinders the album as a whole. While it's musically tight and focused, the project feels like it ends too soon. There's also a noticeable lack of lyrical depth here, and when this is paired with the album's short runtime, I can't say IX is one of the band's stronger efforts. Even so, the album has a fair number of highlights. Opener "This Is Not The End" is a steadily building rock tune about perseverance and hope. "Stronger" is one of Spoken's best tunes this side of Illusion. Fans of the band's harder edge will love "I Will Not Fade" and "Silence." These provide a generous dose of Matt Baird's signature screams and the bridge of the latter is arguably the best moment on the album. "Pages of the Past" makes excellent use of an industrial groove fans of Jason Wisdom's Death Therapy will undoubtedly appreciate.

There is no shortage of softer tracks here and, unfortunately, these encompass some of the record's weakest cuts. "Remember the Memories" suffers from some cliche lyrics about leaving behind an inspiring legacy. It's musically solid, but its subject matter has been done better elsewhere. "Sleepless Nights" and "In My Sight" try for a slow burn approach, but they end up being forgettable closers in the long run.

There's a lot to like about Spoken's latest release. It offers some of their heaviest work and Matt Baird's vocals are always staggeringly good. However, IX sounds like a collection of b-sides from Breathe Again. They're solid enough to tide over fans until the next full-length, but they lack the substance that keeps them coming back. If you haven't heard any of Spoken's material, Illusion or Breathe Again are much better places to start. For everyone else, IX comes with a light recommendation.

- Review date: 9/6/17, written by Lucas Munachen of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion




Spoken has been around a long time and is one of the most consistent bands when it comes to pumping out good rock music. IX is their newest release, and will be enjoyed by many fans despite potentially being their weakest album from the past decade or so. Tracks like "This Is Not The End," "Dying Without You," and "Silence" are your typical Spoken hard rock tracks that carry Matt's signature vocals and positive themes of perseverance and finding hope in true acceptance. Each song is an example of why Spoken has earned such a solid fan base and will be enjoyed by all listeners. IX does tend to lean to the heavier side of Spoken, which I really enjoyed. "I Will Not Fade" and "Pages Of The Past" showcase screaming vocals, heavy riffs, and great drumming making for solid hard rock tunes. Unfortunately, the album barely hits the half-hour mark, and the softer/ballad attempts fall short of Spoken's best. That being said, it still fits into the band's discography well. There is nothing too creative here, but Spoken fans will enjoy IX even though it's not as good as what we all know the band is capable of creating. - Review date: 9/8/17, written by Kevin Hoskins

 

JFH Album Sampler
. Record Label: The Fuel Music
. Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes, 56 seconds
. Street Date: September 8, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. This Is Not The End (3:11)
  2. Stronger (3:31)
  3. Dying Without You (3:16)
  4. Silence (3:30)
  5. I Will Not Fade (3:00)
  6. Remember The Memories (2:58)
  7. Pages Of The Past (3:23)
  8. The Light (3:46)
  9. Sleepless Nights (4:28)
  10. In My Sight (3:58)

 

 

 



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 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