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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

John Ball

John Ball
John Ball

Album length: 6 tracks: 22 minutes, 50 seconds
Style: Indie / Americana
Street Date: May 21, 2013
Official Site: JohnBallMusic.com


Americana: a forgotten art. It's the music of the heartland with rich vocals and well-layered instruments. Occasionally, there are artists that come out of the wild blue yonder with a sound that truly seems inspired by an amalgam of genres. In the case of John Ball (who played bass for a time in the band I Am Terrified), it is most definitely so with his self-titled EP.

The album opens with the energetic yet subtle, "When I Kept Silent." Its pop-folk infused music is accompanied well with John's bluesy vocals. It's a great way to start an album and really sets the tone for the entire project. "Your Faithfulness" has an almost whimsical feeling to it with a melody that is reminiscent of Eisley or Death Cab for Cutie. The lyrical content is rich with biblical thought as it really leans on the truth of Christ extending grace to humanity. While this is not unexplored lyrical territory in the CCM industry, it is so rarely composed with such excellent music.

"Woe to Me" introduces a more somber sound, and it is well done at the very least. The beautiful arrangement of soft strings with acoustic guitar and raw vocals give the song a heartfelt strength. John uses healthy layering of instrumentation very well and makes the theme shine: the Lord seeing us amidst our sin and saving us. "On My Own" continues with his soft side and he also does it well, this time with almost a hint of influence from Bon Iver. "Torn from the Root," takes off with another round of energy but with very introspective lyrics as John looks more to how God has changed him entirely. The EP concludes with the folky-blues imbued "Temptation." It flows almost as a story of being released from the temptations of life. It's an excellent way to bring the project to a close, as it is filled with well-executed instrumentation and smooth vocals.

Overall, John Ball has done an amazing job as an indie solo artist, and honestly sounds more like a well-seasoned one. Many people don't begin their music career so well. If he continues down this road of excellence, we may yet see him again - and again and again. Well done, John Ball - we look forward to hearing more from you!

- Review date: 12/8/13, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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. Record Label: None
. Album length: 6 tracks: 22 minutes, 50 seconds
. Street Date: May 21, 2013
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. When I Kept Silent (3:39)
  2. Your Faithfulness (3:49)
  3. Woe to Me (4:45)
  4. On My Own (3:26)
  5. Torn from the Root (3:10)
  6. Temptation (4:01)

 

 

 

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This Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Various Artists Songs We've Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven't), Vol. 14 [JFH Music]

This Friday, August 15, 2025
ALBUMS
Mark Bishop Grandkids - EP [Sonlite]
The CCC Collective Brooklyn Culture (independent)
Equippers Worship Awe [DREAM Worship]
The Final Witness Beneath The Altar [Rottweiler]
Grammatrain Flying Collector's Edition CD [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition CD [Girder]
Katy Nichole Honest Conversations [Centricity]
REFVGE REFVGE 1 [Syntax]
Relentless Pursuit Apocalypsis (independent)
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
ANTHNY no stages - Single [Provident]
Johan Åsgärde Coming Home - Single [Gotee]
Dave Barnes Everything But Mine - Single (independent)
Chris Caro Pain Pt. 3 - Single [Syntax]
Jeff Deyo There is a Fire - Single [NWN]
Drenae Dead Seed - Single [Syntax]
F'rael Pardon My Grace - Single [Syntax]
Jeremy and Adrienne Camp Worthy Of It All / I Exalt Thee (Jeremy and Adrienne Camp Version) - Single [Sparrow]
Linc Worship I Know - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm All God - Single [Curb]
Jeannie Ortega Little Girl is Gone - Single [Syntax]
outr.cty Testin' Your Luck (ft. Selah the Corner & Dre Murray) - Single [Syntax]
Matt Redman Let Me See Jesus / Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (feat. Charity Gayle) - Single [Integrity]
Rhymes in Harmony Beautiful Name - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, & Elevation Worship So So Good (Live) - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
Grammatrain Flying Vinyl [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition Vinyl [Girder]
Newsboys Going Public Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 22, 2025
ALBUMS
Lecrae Reconstruction [Reach]
Lizzie Morgan Not My Will [Provident]
Josiah Queen MT. ZION [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Dust and Grace Hallelujah - Single [MTS]
Good Weather Forecast Today (feat. Elijah Thomas) - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Invitation - Single [DREAM Worship]
V1 Worship Been So Faithful - Single [DREAM Worship]



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