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

JFH Music Review




Red Umbrella
Wishing For Boardwalk



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 48 minutes and 19 seconds
Street Date: April 25, 2006


Take The Afters, U2, the Killers, and Downhere, put them in a blender, and out will come 7 Spin's new Canadian band, Red Umbrella. The band's debut album, Wishing for Boardwalk, is thirteen tracks of melodic rock that is spiritual without being cliché.

The album begins with the mid-tempo, "Storm Warning." It is here listeners are first exposed to the band's use of imagery that runs throughout the album to express spiritual content. The album's second song, "Straight Jacket," turns up the volume and shows the band knows how to rock while "Already Won," reminds believers that the spiritual battle they face has already been conquered. The song is catchy without ever being too trite. Other subjects the album addresses are selfishness in "What About Me," having a changed life in "Run," and grace in "Saving Grace." The band chooses to be more indirect and poetic when expressing their faith in songwriting, a move that could help them catch the attention of secular markets. However, with lyrics like, "I wish life wasn't pain and I could learn to pray, oh Lord please teach me how," in the album's title track, "Wishing for Boardwalk," it is obvious where the band places its hope.

I must confess when I first listened to Wishing for Boardwalk, I did not know what to make of it. The vocals take some getting used to, and there is a retro feel to the album. However, it's an album that improves with each repeated listen. Red Umbrella is different from many Christian rock bands out today. Although some of the band's influences are obvious, they possess a distinct, consistent sound throughout the album without the record being boring. Red Umbrella is not afraid to be unique, and that is a trait many bands in Christian music could benefit from acquiring.

- Review date: 4/24/06, written by Laura Nunnery




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 


. Record Label: 7 Spin
. Album length: 13 tracks: 48 minutes and 19 seconds
. Street Date: April 25, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Storm Warning
  2. Straight Jacket
  3. Already Won
  4. Home
  5. What About Me
  6. Run
  7. Trade Your Dreams
  8. Elevator
  9. Wishing for Boardwalk
  10. Slide
  11. Broken Hearts
  12. Saving Grace
  13. Tonight
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Wednesday, October 8, 2025
SINGLES
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)

This Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
Citizens m us eum [Anotherland Records]
Jesus Culture Send The Fire: Live From London [Capitol CMG]
Tasha Layton Life in Me [BEC]
Myles Maestro Dead End Road - EP [Syntax]
Make Sure Starry May Morning (independent)
SNT. VINCENT Final Greetings [Syntax]
Razzie Digital Psalms - EP [Syntax]
Josh Wright LEAD (Deluxe) (independent)

SINGLES
Holly Brand One Thing He Wouldn't Do - Single [Integrity]
Chosen Road Daddy Was a Navy Man - Single [Thoroughbred]
Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Jeff Knox Deja Vu - Single [Syntax]
Kelo Memory Lane - Single [Syntax]
MAYIA Pass Me Not - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Like You - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Decipher - Single [Syntax]
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]

Next Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images