Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Xd Out

Xd Out
Better Day

Street Date: June 12, 2017
Style: Grunge / Rock
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3
Buy It: CD Baby



There's a been a recent resurgence of grunge rock, which is both exciting and terrifying. It straddles those extremes because, just like the explosion of EDM or Brit-pop, there are those who standout and others who get lost in the mix completely. Regarding indie band Xd Out, their latest album Better Day resides within that tension for better or worse. The album opens with the worshipful ballad, "We Love You Lord." The song is clearly a declaration of love for the Lord, and quite a long one at that, topping out at 6 minutes, 57 seconds. "Just One Way" introduces the more rock sound, along with tracks like "Break Me," "Free" and "Deeper." So, if you're looking for something harder, it may be best to skip to the second track. Songs like "The Source" and "Worthy" have those dark yet appealing sounds with hints of industrial elements that made early Skillet albums so enjoyable. Lyrically, they point directly to God, making for introspective and thoughtful songs. If you were a fan of mid-90's to early 2000's rock, you may really enjoy the direction of Xd Out as they may find their peers amongst artists from that timeframe. Sadly, what the album suffers from is hit-and-miss production quality. The drums feel overly compressed and it often leaves the tracks feeling muddy and fuzzy. The redeeming value in this album is that Xd Out's musicianship is impressive, but because of the lackluster production, it gets lost. Overall, this is a decent record showcasing a solid group that could easily open at any Christian Rock festival. If you're in the market for some classic sounding grunge-esque rock from someone new, these guys are worth checking out.

- Review date: 6/23/17, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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


 

 

 

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 Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images