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

JFH Music Review


Apollo LTD, Nothing is Ordinary. Everything is Beautiful.
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Apollo LTD
Nothing is Ordinary. Everything is Beautiful.



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop / Electropop / Alternative
Album length: 14 tracks: 44 minutes, 37 seconds
Street Date: February 5, 2021


READER RATING:   


Oftentimes in the music criticism world, the term "pop" is erroneously equated with a song or album somehow being "lesser" or "inferior." But the history of the term "pop" music (short for "popular") simply refers to a kind of melody or sound that has wide appeal to the populace, or general population.

The musical duo of Jordan Phillips and Adam Stark, better known as Apollo LTD, excels at writing and producing the kinds of modern popular songs and sounds that have a wide appeal, but they do so with a craftsman's eye towards music that has both a glossy finish, and plenty of substance beneath that polish. On their second album, the wonderfully titled Nothing is Ordinary. Everything is Beautiful., Apollo LTD roll out another hefty batch of songs that engage both the ears and the soul in equal measure. With musical neighbors like OneRepublic, Paper Route, Bastille, and Imagine Dragons, the duo uses its pop formula for something bigger than mere dancing or momentary distraction.

After a brief, shimmering instrumental intro, the retro-disco beat of "Tears Into Diamonds" pulses with life and introduces the celebratory theme of the album with lyrics that are all-too relevant, yet speak hope into our present dark age of pandemic and social unrest: "Far too long / All these years I didn't know that I was sleeping / Yeah I was sleeping / Then I woke up / To a thousand stars cast across the ceiling / Yeah I woke up / I've bought the lies / For so long that now they feel like mine / And everything / wanted in this life / Was standing in front me this whole time / My heart knows how to feel / Love echoes in the silence / My eyes know how to heal / Turning tears into diamonds." The epic "Patient" also follows this theme well, again, with a relevance to the evening news of the last year: "So this is broken I guess / And if I'm being honest I'm over my head / The hurt rages inside wave after wave like the ocean tide / I've done all I can / It's out of my hands / It's easy to forget / It's part of Your plan, there's a light up ahead / But right now I'm restless, I need You because I'm anxious / I've done all I can / It's all in Your hands / When my world keeps on shaking, and I'm breaking / When the skies won't stop raining, and I'm fading / Help me to be okay with what I can't change /And remind me there's meaning in the waiting Help me to be patient."

But the fellows of Apollo LTD also do a great job of balancing the introspective with the celebratory. The funky "Rulers" features a bouncy piano riff and a great, distorted guitar line that is a welcome balance against all the synthesizers. The celebratory "Good Day" sports a nice guest verse from hip hop act Social Club Misfits and anchors the middle of the album with a buoyant vibe. Likewise, the soulful, Gospel-music infused "Sunday Morning Feeling" (which could be the best Justin Timberlake song that he never wrote) and the jubilant "NOW!" (note that exclamation point) add an upbeat vibe to the proceedings.

But it's the heartfelt "Just What I Needed," a song that perhaps serves as the album's best moment, and most succinct summation of its theme of finding peace and unexpected perspective in the midst of a chaotic time: "I'm feeling outta control /All the chaos I've been facing Feeling lost can't navigate it / All alone / I've tried it on my own / But every time / I had a grip / I'd start to slip / Till I'd let it go / Guess it's out of my hands / Oh it's out of my hands / Guess it's out of my hands / Oh it's out of my hands / I tell myself / There's got to be a remedy for this / Hole I've felt / For so long now I can't ignore it / How many times have I tried to fight it / I can't control it I can't deny it / Cause there's nothing else / You're just what I needed."

Nothing is Ordinary. Everything is Beautiful. is a great "pop" album in every sense of that term. With worshipful moments, like the reverent "No Limit," sitting alongside both introspective and celebratory moments alike, this collection of songs hangs together very well as a musical statement and is a welcome addition to the ole' jukebox, car stereo or kitchen radio near you.

That's not bad for "pop" music.

- Review date: 2/4/21, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



For much of 2020, Centricity Music pop duo Apollo LTD has been teasing listeners with new music from their sophomore album, Nothing is Ordinary. Everything is Beautiful. Although fans have heard an EP's worth of new songs, the full-length release offers 8 previously unheard new tracks (including a short "Intro"), that builds on the anthemic sound they've woven with their 2020 singles. Those songs fit in nicely with the rest of the record and aren't the only standout tracks here, either. "Just What I Needed" is about as 80s as a pop song can get without having actually been forged in that decade (and it's a delicious pop tune, no less), evoking a distinct Starship vibe, while the impossibly funky "Sunday Morning Feeling" is a soulful song to get you up on your feet no matter what day of the week you listen to it. "Heart Believes" tackles spiritual doubt head-on, while "Soldier On" is an anthem of persistence; both tracks carry more of the militant march feel that for KING & COUNTRY often goes for. When all is said and done, Nothing is Ordinary. Everything is Beautiful. isn't just a solid pop album, but a catchy, encouraging, and fresh 14-song journey that may be one of the best things 2021 has to offer musically. - Review date: 2/3/21, John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

. Record Label: Centricity Music
. Album length: 14 tracks: 44 minutes, 37 seconds
. Street Date: February 5, 2021
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Intro (0:51)
  2. Tears To Diamonds (2:53)
  3. Rulers (3:21)
  4. Patient (3:35)
  5. NOW! (2:59)
  6. Good Day (feat. Social Club Misfits) (2:45)
  7. You (3:46)
  8. Soldier On (3:03)
  9. Just What I Needed (3:14)
  10. Sunday Morning Feeling (feat. Ryan Stevenson) (3:43)
  11. Better (3:41)
  12. Heart Believes (3:36)
  13. No Limit (3:49)
  14. Rising (3:28)
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
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



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