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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: Amazon Music

  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, October 22, 2025
SINGLES
Phil Wickham Fear Has No Power - Single [Fair Trade]

This Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
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gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Latter Day Exploits Within Consumed (Expanded Edition) [Charon Collective]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Jamie Macdonald You Can't Take My Song - Single [Capitol CMG]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]

Next Friday, October 31, 2025
ALBUMS
Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
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SINGLES
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
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John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
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