Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Danny Hallis

Danny Hallis
Rogue - EP

Street Date: April 22, 2016
Style: Pop / Rock
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes


Songwriting is no easy art and each songwriter is intrinsically unique, as are all artists. Granted, some contemporary writers are as gifted as a paint-by-numbers set, mimicking the success of others and pretending they had something to do with it. The watermark of a good songwriter is their ability to communicate emotions, convictions and beliefs in an unconventional yet relatable manner. That's what makes indie artist Danny Hallis' latest release, Rogue, such a treat.

The album opens with the acoustic driven title track and clearly paints the picture of the reliance on God rather than self. Musically, the song has a driving quality but is tempered with lighter vocals. Lyrically, the introspectiveness of the artist is on display as Hallis sings, "I wrote my crimes in permanent ink, and in my head I'd run like I was haunted in a dream. I searched for an artist who'd make beauty from a fall." Continuing down the acoustic route is "Breathing." If the opener was a song of realizing the reliance we need to have upon the Lord, this track is one of thankfulness.

Switching gears slightly is the somewhat synth-led, "Heart & Head." The song seems to walk a line of disconnecting and reconnecting, trying to reconcile reality and falsehood. Lyrically, the song feels a little vague, but that might be the point. "Awake" brings back some solidity with some confidence in who he is. The music is upbeat and hopeful with words that reflect that same sentiment.

Concluding the album is the somewhat Irish-folk inspired "Whole." It's a perfect ending with well accented instrumentation. The overwhelming theme of dependence on God is clearly stated as Hallis sings, "I've got my hands raised in surrender, apart from you I'd lost control. When I'm with you I am free, when I'm in your arms, that's where I'm whole." It's a fantastic way to wrap up a completely thoughtful album.

Overall, Danny Hallis is a good artist on the path to make a name for himself. The only thing that may hold up some listeners is that the songs don't seem to differ too much from each other. However, it is a cohesive album with music that is easy to listen to with artistically expressive lyrics. Plus, admirers of mid-to-late 90's vocalists may find a welcome treat with Hallis' softer tone. Without a doubt, this a very well-written, well-produced and well-executed album - a solid pop release with strong lyrics. Well done, Danny Hallis; we look forward to hearing from you again.

- Review date: 4/13/16, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 5 tracks: 19 minutes, 34 seconds
. Street Date: April 22, 2016
. Buy It: iTunes

  1. Rogue
  2. Breathing
  3. Heart & Head
  4. Awake
  5. Whole

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

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

Search JFH



This Tuesday, May 20, 2025
SINGLES
Pacaso Ramirez, Darius Mullin Kingdom Business - Single (independent)

BOOKS
Shai Linne Penelope Judd [B&H]
Tauren Wells Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus’s Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life [Zondervan]

This Friday, May 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Big Daddy Weave Let It Begin [Curb]
ELEVATION RHYTHM Victory Lap [Elevation]
Signum Regis The Eyes of Power (Remixed & Remastered 2025) [Beyond the Storm]
Sower I WANT TO SEE CLEARLY (independent)

SINGLES
Colony House Telephone Pole - Single [Roon]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - Single [DREAM]
Jericko Follow the Leader - Single [Syntax]
NXTMIKE smackdown + all I need - Single [Syntax]
J. Solo This Feeling (ft. Joseph SD & HIS Hypeman Stract) - Single [Syntax]
V1 Worship Fool for You - Single [DREAM Worship]
Corey Wise Leper - Single [Syntax]

VINYL
Anberlin Nevertake Vinyl [Equal Vision]

Next Friday, May 30, 2025
Bongo Chico Bongo Chico (independent)
Morgan Cryar Fuel on the Fire (Remastered Collector's Edition) [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (CD) [BEC]
Newsboys Worldwide Revival (Deluxe) [Capitol CMG]
Slow Salvation Gemini [Velvet Blue]
Wolves At The Gate Wasteland [Solid State]

SINGLES
Lora Kelley Will You Hold My Arms Up? - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus + Thalia Tu Amor - Single [Provident]
Stars Go Dim G.I.R.L. (God In Real Life) - Single [Curb]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images