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JFH Music Review



Ivoryline
There Came A Lion



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 39 minutes, 54 seconds
Street Date: February 5, 2008


Tooth and Nail Records has successfully added another talented band onto their growing list of musical phenomena. Let me introduce you to Ivoryline - a Texas-based rock band driven by their spirituality and passion for honest music. Created in 2005, the members found harmony in similar music interests and tastes. Out of their collaboration, this stunning musical 5-piece was born.

Fitting amongst the likes of label-mates Dead Poetic and former label-mates Anberlin, many will find their electronic influenced rock similar, yet unique and mind blowing in its own way. There Came A Lion starts off with an ever-energetic and thought-provoking song, "Day's End," as it sings, "We should scream 'thank you' with every waking breath; and cry 'mercy, mercy' at every day's end… Our complacency won't last much longer; An urgency will sweep our sleeping hearts." It's a call to the "weak of mind" and a wakeup for the "complacent." Progressing throughout the album, "We Both Know" and "Parade" prove to be quite memorable tracks, and perfect precursors to their single, "Be Still and Breathe," that's already creating a rift in the airwaves. The song opens with lead singer Jeremy Gray's lone vocals, "Everything they said about you; everything they've known was wrong," and from there, the energy doesn't stop. The song deals with a struggle of sorts, as its meaning is vague enough for the listener to create his or her own story through it. However, the band's force and aggression is definitely shown through the song and very well depicts the emotion that fuels it.

From "Be Still and Breathe," the album builds on the momentum already gained from the previous tracks. However, "Hearts and Minds" takes the cake for turning up it up a notch in the second half of the record - both musically and lyrically. "My mind isn't quite sure what it has bargained for; but my heart is in time with the consistent beat of yours," sings Gray - a feeling quite relevant to the masses. Wrapping up the debut are "The Last Word" and "Bravery." "The Last Word" offers a noticeably slower tempo compared to the rest of the album. However, it still delivers the raw emotion and meaning that this band is going to be known for. It holds a beautiful sound which carries equally beautiful lyrics, "Can you see evidence of perfection? Look past the circumstance and find some meaning; if only this song could capture the peace you are seeing; if only this song could capture the hope we are seeking." "Bravery," on the other hand, picks up the beat one last time before closing out the album.

Ivoryline delivers both musically and lyrically. Musically, many will find their style and dynamic as a band similar to those of Anberlin. However, there are differences between the two. The force put forth by the musicians herein is phenomenal and are matched by strong vocals. Jeremy does an excellent job at delivering songs with passionate messages in an equally passionate tone. At the end of the song, it is as if you're gasping for a breath of air just to keep up with him. The lyrics featured in There Came A Lion, are ever-impressive and in-depth, but range in their spiritual content. Song like "Day's End" and "The Last Words" are evidently directed to a higher power, whereas the majority of the rest of the album is vague enough to where the words can become your own.

Ivoryline is an undeniably outstanding addition to the Tooth and Nail roster. This debut shows their passion and their drive to create music for merely the love of the art. That is an admirable quality, and, thankfully, one that is frequently seen in the bands here at JFH. At the absolute least, this debut is going to prove to be the start of an amazing musical career for the men of Ivoryline.

- Review date: 2/3/08, written by Lindsay Wiseman



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. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 39 minutes, 54 seconds
. Street Date: February 5, 2008
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Day's End
  2. We Both Know
  3. Parade
  4. All You Ever Hear
  5. Be Still and Breathe
  6. Remind Me I'm Alive
  7. Left Us Falling
  8. And The Truth Will End This
  9. Bravery
  10. Hearts and Minds
  11. The Last Words
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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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