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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Tightwire

Adam Sams
Tightwire

Style: Indie / Folk Rock
Album length: 10 tracks
Street Date: October 22, 2013
Buy It: iTunes

Occasionally, there are musical artists who actually produce art. While that might sound confusing, the truth is that many artists produce albums to generate income or, to say the least, keep their label happy. The beauty of independent artists is that they tend to make music because of the joy that good music produces. Nevertheless, some of these individuals don't have the funding or knowhow to produce what many, and even themselves, might consider to be "good, quality art." However, indie artist Adam Sams without a doubt created a masterful work of art with his full-length debut album, Tightwire.

The album opens with the introspective "Progress." The music is reminiscent of artists such as Bon Iver or Iron and Wine, with a slightly cleaner sound. His voice has a very smooth yet poignant sound and is complemented with perfect harmonies. As Adam sings, "Let their be progress in my bones, progress and not just maintenance," it resonates with encouragement and hope with a dash of conviction. This same tone is kept throughout the album with songs like, "Well Run Dry," "Put Your Title Down," and "Gripping the Reigns."

For those seeking a softer side, the tenderness of Adam's voice is flawless on songs like, "Hold Me Together" and "Wondering and Waiting." The music complements the vocals magnificently without a hint of it feeling overpowering. "Billboard Trends" features a more aggressive sound while giving a gentlemanly backhand to commercialism and entitlement.

From start to finish, Adam Sams gives listeners what they want and need: entrancing songs with a well-structured flow from track to track. There is honestly not a single glaringly obvious flaw with the album. It is a rare occurrence that an album can be so perfectly done; he has given listeners not just something new to listen to but a breath of fresh, artful air. His lyrics are deep without over-reaching, his music is simple and beautiful, and his voice is enthralling. This is without question some of the best music that has come out as of late. If more well-known artists made music of this caliber, the CCM scene might actually have something to offer besides the repetitious recordings that rule the radio. Bravo, Mr. Sams; your art is inspiring, insightful, and most definitely entertaining.

- Review date: 6/15/14, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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. Record Label: None
. Album length: 10 tracks
. Street Date: October 22, 2013
. Buy It: iTunes

  1. Progress (4:55)
  2. Hold Me Together (4:17)
  3. Well Run Dry (3:15)
  4. Watercourse (3:14)
  5. Put Your Title Down (3:55)
  6. Billboard Trends (4:15)
  7. Gripping the Reins (3:41)
  8. Wondering and Waiting (4:51)
  9. Tightwire (4:31)
  10. Wizened Frame (4:09)

 

 

 

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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]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
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]
Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

SINGLES
Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]


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