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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

The Sunrise, Have We Not Heard

The Sunrise
Have We Not Heard

Street Date: May 22, 2012
Style: Folk / Jesus Music
Official Site: TheSunriseMusic.com
Buy It: Amazon.com

From the colorful cover art to the throwback sounds contained inside, there is no mistaking that Cleveland, Ohio's The Sunrise is quite the nostalgia trip for the 1970's Jesus Music Movement, and that's exactly how James and Rebecca Mileti want it to be. Hearkening back to the earliest days of CCM as we know it -- The Resurrection Band, Larry Norman, and Christian hippies -- The Sunrise's sophomore release We Have Not Heard makes for a charming throwback in its best moments. Retro sounds are mainstream in a big way, but rather than make a 70's influenced indie album, everything about The Sunrise is styled to mirror the classic chilled out hippie folk sound, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Some assistance from guitar legend Phil Keaggy and Crosby Stills Nash and Young drummer Joe Vitale add a nice touch as well as some classic rock cred to this record. And despite some less than stellar recording and production values, James' and Rebecca's vocals are true to the spirit of the era, blending nicely with the nostalgic sound.

Depending how you look at it, the songwriting itself is either the biggest detriment to the record or another crucial element of this Jesus Music tribute. The forthright evangelical songwriting all too often relies on Christian cliches and sounds a lot like it exists to make a point, rather than simply be part of the song's craft. While such unironic faith-sharing is somewhat refreshing against more "watered down" lyricism, some extra attention to nuance and craft could benefit these songs and lift them out of the realm of novelty. Still, as far as the genre goes, The Sunrise might be just the right thing for listeners yearning for some 70s nostalgia.

- Review date: 9/10/13, written by Jen Rose of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next 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]
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]
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]


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