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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review



The Nova Ray
Venison Beach

Album length: 7 tracks
Street Date: May 6, 2008


In the grand tradition of Five Iron Frenzy, the Supertones, and any other defunct Christian ska act you can think of, comes The Nova Ray. Comprised of seven Belmont University students, these unsigned rookies are making a splash in the Nashville, Tennessee scene, and for good reason: Their debut EP Venison Beach is a sentimental blast-from-the-past, with enough relevance to keep everyone entertained. This one is hard not to dig on.

Of course, fans of the aforementioned ska legends could cry foul upon hearing The Nova Ray’s brand of ska/rock. However, while the similarities are hard to miss and the comparisons are inevitable, Venison Beach has enough youth and energy to keep most ultra-fans quiet. And while The Nova Ray is very obviously influenced by the late greats of Christian ska, it is almost as though they are helping usher in a new generation of the style altogether.

It’s a fun listen from start to finish, but it is also a remarkably mature debut effort. Musically, these guys are clean and quick, and the production quality is top notch. Lyrically, the songs never really stray from the surface, but they are all well-written and never come off as corny or cliché.

Venison Beach is here just in time for the summer. Turn it up with the windows rolled down. It sounds good upon first listen, and it grows on you even more with time. Keep an eye on these guys in the coming months and years. The Nova Ray is a ska band to get excited about.

- Review date: 5/25/08, written by Josh Taylor of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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. Record Label: None
. Album length: 7 tracks
. Street Date: May 6, 2008
. Buy It: iTunes Music Store

  1. Fading Into Grey
  2. The Show
  3. Little Man
  4. Stay
  5. The Flood
  6. S.I.D.
  7. Don't Worry, Be Happy

 

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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