Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review




Stavesacre
Speakeasy



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks
Street Date: 1999


"When revolution is just a word, that loses more each time it's heard, it won't mean a thing until it hurts." ("This Love")

A powerful record from start to finish, Stavesacre's Speakeasy offers a good mix of poetry, depth, and originality. Songs such as "Gold and Silver" and "This Love' powerfully explain aspects of faith and the human condition, emphasizing our weakness and God's strength. At times prone to what seem to be typical alternative sentiments, songs such as "Sundown Motel" and "St. Ericksplan" seem to contain an unhealthy amount of escapism, the only taint I have found in the album. The lyrics are at times vague, but with some digging there's a lot to be found. "Keep Waiting" and "Gold and Silver" are good examples of this, talking it seems at times of guy/girl relationships, but real power is found when you bring God's perspective into it, which I think is intended, "Under wings of Gold and Silver, sometimes we have to hide."

Musically, I've never heard a band quite like Stavesacre. Their style is somewhat softer than harder bands such as Blindside but edgier than most Christian rock, fitting into that ever nebulous "alternative" genre. Mark Salomon's vocals never scream, but they certainly yell, making for a welcomed change of pace and a balance between the emotionally exhausting screaming and unfeeling pop music that are popular today.

"You Know How it Is" is a powerful worship song full of blazing guitars and Mark Salomon's piercing vocals, "No one move! No one move! I want to keep my eyes on You! Set this place on fire!" "Freefall" is a powerful metaphor of surrender and trust in God. But of all the songs on the record, "This Love" has probably been the most meaningful to me, combining a firm challenge to the Church to wake up with a simple affirmation that: "This Love is real. It's pure. This Love endures in burning hearts... it awakens you."

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 12/17/05, written by James Metelak for Jesusfreakhideout.com



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. Record Label: Tooth and Nail
. Album length: 11 tracks
. Street Date: 1999
. Buy It: Amazon.com
  1. Minutemen
  2. Sundown Motel
  3. Keep Waiting
  4. You Know How It Is
  5. Rivers Underneath
  6. Gold and Silver
  7. Freefall (From Hand to Hand)
  8. St. Eriksplan
  9. Disquiet
  10. Fascination Street
  11. This Love

 

 

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This Friday, September 5, 2025
ALBUMS
A Life Aligned The Light That Failed To Cease (independent)
Philip Anthony A League of My Own (ALOMO) - EP (independent)
Josh Baldwin Full Grown Man, Vol. 1 - EP [Bethel]
bodie NO SKIPS [Provident]
Colony House 77 (Pt. 1) [Roon]
Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - EP [DREAM]
The Gray Havens This Is Not the End (independent)
Forrest Frank CHILD OF GOD II (BACK TO BACK) DELUXE [River House]

SINGLES
Bill B. GOD KNOW ft. TrigNO - Single [Syntax]
Mark Bishop I'm Gonna Do What I Said I'd Do - Single [Sonlite]
Brave Days Friendly Fire - Single (independent)
CalledOut Music Adore You - Single [Integrity]
Michael Carder Where Do I Go From Here - Single (independent)
Charis Music Pressing Through (feat. Hailey Trevino) - Single [NWN]
Darius Mullin & Dre Murray Cash & Burn - Single [Syntax]
Kristene DiMarco Song for My Children - Single [Bethel]
Amanda Janson Sinner to Saint - Single [Pure Mosaic]
JSP It's Not Your Fault - Single (independent)
Tae Lamar Vengeance II (feat. MotionPlus, Propaganda, and m1L) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Patrick Mayberry Everlasting Arms - Single [Provident]
No Vain Glory FLEX - Single [Syntax]
Jemimah Paine Reason - Single [Integrated Music Rights]
R.kitect Tha Deep End - Single [Syntax]
Razzie & theprodigaljoe Man Make Plans - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile My Mind is a Prison - Single [Syntax]
Carly Ann Taylor Why Should I Worry (Remind Me Version) - Single [Curb]
Jaci Velasquez, Evan Egerer ¡DALE! Praise - Single [Rixon]
NEEDTOBREATHE Momma Loves Me (feat. The Red Clay Strays) - Single [Omnivore]
Madison Watkins You Won't - Single [Provident]
Wisenheart Well-Worn Door - Single (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Shine n Me (feat. Edward Rivera) - Single [Bethel]

Next Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS
Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent)
Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG]
Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM]
Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG]
Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent)
twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb]
Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent)
Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent)
The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)


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