Listen to the new album from Charming to the Last!
Listen to the new album from Charming to the Last!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

John Ball

John Ball
By Declaration and the Death

Street Date: February 12, 2016
Style: Folk Rock


In may of 2013, Birmingham-based singer/songwriter John Ball released a stunning self-titled EP that displayed a creative depth and maturity most artists don't reach until their later years. The softly spoken folk/rock sound was simple and approachable, but with a certain charm that brought me back multiple times. Now, close to three years later, By Declaration and the Death offers an almost perfect follow-up.

The eight-track record begins with "Find it in Me." A lone piano and acoustic dominates the first half of the song before a full band of instruments carry to it a close. Crescendos often have the tendency to feel forced or unnecessary, but in "Find It In Me," it's well-done and fails to fall into those common potholes. This leads into the anthemic title track and the alt-rock "Feel It." Both have the mainstream audience insight, but to label them as such would be a disservice as there's a lot more going on here than what is met on the surface. "Feel It," for example, offers up the sincere question, "If I lose the faith, if I lose control, will you still bring me back, will you still guide me home?" Track four, "Satisfy," is a more straightforward worship song that serves as a major highlight.

But it's the final three tracks that make this album truly stand out. This final half is a row of dark, mostly acoustic numbers that set themselves apart from the songs before them. "Charcoal" is a grim, painful look at Peter's denial of Jesus. Melancholy verses give way to a desperate finale that makes the story feel frighteningly familiar. "Pull Me Out" showcases the best of John's vocals with the simple three-word chorus, and "Whistle Blows and Anchor Chains" brings the record to a close in a humble and raw fashion.

John Ball left a strong impression with his self-titled EP, but By Declaration and the Death may be even better. If you're looking for an emotionally honest album that's above the norm, John Ball's newest may be just what you're looking for.

- Review date: 3/23/16, written by Lucas Munachen of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

StudioBook: Book Recording Sessions. Find studios and artists to work with.

 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 8 tracks: 30 minutes, 35 seconds
. Street Date: February 12, 2016
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Find It in Me (5:11)
  2. By Declaration & the Death (3:12)
  3. I Feel It (3:51)
  4. Satisfy (3:44)
  5. In Between (2:31)
  6. Charcoal (5:00)
  7. Pull Me Out (3:09)
  8. Whistle Blows & Anchor Chains (3:57)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
StudioBook: Book Recording Sessions. Find studios and artists to work with.

Search JFH




This Friday, October 4, 2024
ALBUMS
Allos Strong Delusion [En Hakkore]
Altarheart Creatures Here Below (independent)
The Choir Reinterpretations EP [Galaxy21 Music]
Chad Cory America The Election Year - EP [DREAM]
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Live in Memphis [Club44]
Jordan Feliz Everything Good [Centricity]
Benjamin William Hastings Sold out, sincerely [Capitol CMG]
Lauren, Amber & Kenna A Little Bit of Heaven [Horizon]
Heath McNease Autumn Sessions (independent)
Nu Tone Mudville Diamonds [His Throne]
The Rock Music No One Knows Me Like You - EP (independent)
Sixpence None the Richer Rosemary Hill - EP [Flartiron]
Swingin Hammers To Save His Own EP (independent)
Matthew West Don't Stop Praying [Story House]

SINGLES
AWZY what is right - Single [DREAM]
Gable Price and Friends Think With Your Chest - Single [Capitol CMG]
Hopeful. Wild One - Single (independent)
Sarah Kroger The Gardener - Single [Integrity]
Lecrae Lift Me Up (feat. Beam) - Single [Reach Records]
LIFE Worship Wait On The Lord - Single [Integrity]
Light the Way I Would Prefer Not To - Single [Small Step Records]
MŌRIAH Hasta Manana - Single [F2]
Oh Jeremiah Spades (feat. The Arcadian Wild) - Single (independent)
Jeannie Ortega Love Me Love Me - Single [Syntax]
Out of Eden Lovely Day 3.0 - Single [Dare]
Paper Horses The Helpers - Single (independent)
Pocketshot Walk the Aisle (feat. Downcast Hibiscus) - Single (independent)
Rapzilla Freshmen BLEED - Single [Syntax]
Red Rocks Worship Never Gets Old - Single [Provident]
Jon Shabaglian Adonai (deliverence song) (feat. Psalmist Mission) - Single (independent)
Tekoa Though I Walk - Single (independent)
Tenielle Neda Offering of Praise (feat. John Van Deusen) - Single (independent)
Tigerwine Prototypic - Single [Tooth & Nail]
TKE3 Glory - Single (independent)
Tundra Undead - Single [Rottweiler Records]
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Stand Firm - Single [Vineyard UK]
Phil Wickham Shepherd Boy - Single [Fair Trade]
Josh Wright The Fall - Single [Wings Music]

Next Friday, October 11, 2024
ALBUMS
Decayed Existence The Beginning Of Sorrows [Rottweiler]
Down East Boys Something To Shout About [Sonlite]
lydi lynn Desert Dream - EP [Gotee]
Tamela Mann Live Breathe Fight [TillyMann]
Maverick City Music, Songhouse MAVHOUSE - EP [Tribl]
Ian Yates Kingdom [7 Core]
Darlene Zschech Testament [Integrity]

SINGLES
Sam Bowman El Dorado - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast One More Time (Kings and Queens) - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Album From Millennial Reign!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images