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

JFH Music Review


Sidewalk Prophets, These Simple Truths
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Sidewalk Prophets
These Simple Truths



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes, 47 seconds
Street Date: August 25, 2009


Sidewalk Prophets are the latest addition to Word/Fervent Records, releasing their full-length debut album called These Simple Truths. But though they may be new to the label, they certainly have had plenty of time (and experience) garnering a good-sized fanbase. They've toured all over the United States and other countries for the past five years, and have shared the stage with the likes of Jeremy Camp, Stellar Kart and even Audio Adrenaline. Pretty impressive stagemates for a relatively unknown group of musicians. So they must be writing some pretty good tunes, right?

Throughout most of These Simple Truths, the music sticks to the script of the AC radio sound. And like fellow new artists pop/rockers, Mikeschair, Sidewalk Prophets show from the get-go that they can make decent upbeat pop songs as well as ballads. The first song of the album, "Just Might Change Your Life," is your typical starting song, sounding like a more watered-down version of Mae. "Show Me How To Love" follows, where they introduce a pop/country sound as well, much like popular act Montgomery Gentry. The first ballad shows up in "You Can Have Me," still holding on to the pop/country sound, but not enough to label Sidewalk Prophets as a country band. The song is about the singer giving all of himself to God and His love ("When did love become unmoving? When did love become unconsuming? Forgetting what the world has told me, Father of love, You can have me"). A song of encouragement to a distant friend comes in the Jeremy Camp-ish "The Words I Would Say," another ballad, where the lyrics bring about the meaning of the album's title. Afterwards, the Celtic-sounding "Moving All The While" sounds like you could find it in a hymnal.

In "For What It's Worth," they sing humbly about following Jesus completely and giving up everything. Another country-style ballad is next, "You Love Me Anyway," followed by "All Things New," which focuses on God's restoration. Things pick up with the album's shortest track, "You Will Never Leave Me," which says "You may lead me to the desert, where I'm empty and afraid, wandering this nothingness, thirsting for the rain, I will not give in to fear, cause Lord I know You're here, You will never leave me," atop music slightly resembling pop/rock acts like The Afters. "Give It All Away" follows, and leads into "Lay Down My Life," which sings from the perspective of both man and God, both of whom talk about laying down their lives for each other, a beautiful reminder of what He did for us when He took the cross. And it's really comforting to hear the lyrics in the bridge where he speaks from God's perspective telling His child to give him all his doubts and fears, knowing that He really will.

It's safe to say that Sidewalks Prophets have an album on their hands that will be fairly popular on AC radio. Just about every song has "hit song" potential. These Simple Truths is happy, encouraging and, overall, not too shabby. At times, the lyrics lack in songwriting quality, but definitely not in substance. A good recommendation for fans of any of the aforementioned bands, or Christian hit radio in general.

- Review date: 8/22/09, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Word Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes, 47 seconds
. Street Date: August 25, 2009
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Just Might Change Your Life (3:12)
  2. Show Me How To Love (3:38)
  3. You Can Have Me (3:49)
  4. The Words I Would Say (3:19)
  5. Moving All The While (3:45)
  6. For What It's Worth (3:39)
  7. You Love Me Anyway (4:21)
  8. All Things New (3:51)
  9. You Will Never Leave Me (2:47)
  10. Give It All Away (4:07)
  11. Lay Down My Life (4:26)
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

 

 

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]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
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]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
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]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
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