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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Jon Wymore, 'Beacon'
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Jon Wymore
Beacon

Street Date: March 3, 2024
Style: Rock
Website: JonWymore.Bandcamp.com
Buy It: Bandcamp



Hailing from Midland, Texas, Jon Wymore aims to harken back to the late '80s/early '90s era of Christian rock, mixing chunky guitars with smooth synths. His latest album, Beacon, uses this style to tell a compelling tale of doubt and faith using the metaphor of being lost at sea. "Storm" opens the album on a darker note, wrestling with doubts of God's goodness, though glimpses of light poke through in the chorus. "Rescue" further softens the darkness by looking in hope to heavenly help. These two tracks are the most "'80s" of the bunch, letting the synths shine while featuring good guitar work. "Haven" and "Fear" are two shorter, quieter tracks that serve to transition the album thematically and musically. On the other side, the music embraces a more modern sound akin to early 2000s rock (think TAIT or early Jeremy Camp). It also fully embraces the hope of coming salvation in "Miracle" and the title track. "Arriving" is a standout instrumental break, and the album closes out with Wymore finally in safe harbor with "Shores" (featuring a welcome guest spot by The City and the Sea). All in all, Beacon is a competent album that picks a metaphor and sticks with it from start to finish. That's a hard thing to accomplish, and Wymore's achievement shouldn't be overlooked. While there's nothing offensive about the album's composition or execution, the metaphor of being adrift at sea and needing safe harbor in Jesus is one that's been used before to varying degrees. There's a reason for that, of course, given its power and relatability. Wymore does his best to give a fresh take, but the songs on an individual basis don't do much to stand out lyrically from any other songs cut from a similar cloth. That doesn't make the album bad, it just makes it less memorable. Still, the potential is clear and Jon Wymore's Beacon may serve to draw in some new fans for his future releases.

- Review date: 7/17/24, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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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]
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]
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]
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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