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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Clemency

Clemency
You've Got the Fire

Street Date: February 10, 2015
Style: Pop / Alternative


Flying below the radar under the moniker of Clemency, brothers Jason and Paul Watkins have been making music for several years, but it is with You've Got the Fire that the duo is primed for a breakthrough. This warm and inviting six song EP tells a loose love story over a fresh blend of pop and alternative rock. The Watkins brothers know how to craft a dynamic and memorable song while simultaneously displaying tremendous musical skill. Sadly, their songwriting on this EP does not reflect the maturity of their music as the lyrics are damaged by weak rhyming and a lack of depth.

The album opens up with "Color Hit the Canvas," a cheerful song with bouncy keys, intricate guitar work, and sturdy drums. The overall metaphor of colored paint hitting a blank canvas when his love-at-first-sight walks in the room seems a bit childish, but regardless, it is a fun and memorable opening song. The road-trip ready "Runaways" has a steady beat and spunky baseline as the guy in the story shares his desire to run away and start a new life with his girl. "When I'm With You the Fireworks Go Off" takes a slightly softer approach, but it is no less catchy than its more energetic predecessors.

From there, the acoustic driven "We Have Love" slows things down even more. Its deficiency of lyrical substance and dreary sound make this feel a bit like a filler track. "Let Love Show You the Way" picks the energy back up one more time and is one of two songs that is not exclusively about "falling in love." The closing track, "Heaven in the World We Know," erroneously equates being in love with being in heaven and is barely saved with a lyric in the bridge that alludes to a more accurate biblical perspective that romantic love is meant to point to God. Musically, it is a beautiful soft ballad that utilizes a delicate acoustic guitar, brushed drum stick, and Lion King sounding "Mmm-Ahh" chants.

Even with the drawbacks of weak songwriting and a filler track, You've Got The Fire showcases a band with a lot of talent and potential. If you're looking for a cute collection of love songs, this will surely fit the bill (check out Copperlily as well if you want some depth). If you are on the fence about this EP, try their previous project, My Heart Meets is the Eastern Horizon, which is currently being offered for free on Noisetrade.com.

- Review date: 1/15/15, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 6 tracks: 22 minutes, 10 seconds
. Street Date: February 10, 2015
. Buy It: iTunes
. Download It: AmazonMP3

  1. Color Hit the Canvas (2:42)
  2. Runaways (3:54)
  3. When I'm With You the Fireworks Go Off (3:54)
  4. We Have Love (4:04)
  5. Let Love Show You the Way (3:49)
  6. Heaven in the World We Know (3:50)

 

 

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
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The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
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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)
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SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
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SINGLES
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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]
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Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
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DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
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Chad Cory America [DREAM]
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SINGLES
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