Brightwork is a group of four guys who got together in early 2009 and have been relentlessly playing shows and recording albums ever since. 2010 saw their first official EP, and now they're back a year later with their follow up EP, Loving Rescue. The five songs show a talent for their respective instruments, but they also give off the feeling of "playing it safe." Brightwork's sound is somewhat of a hybrid of Jars of Clay, Nevertheless and MercyMe. While those aren't bad choices of bands to emulate (if you must), they're bands with sounds that people love. So to sound like them is, in a sense, playing it safe. It's rather disheartening; even more so when the band's bio states that they have "a fresh and refined repertoire." Some of the songs also suffer sonically; I think they could've sounded a lot better had they thrown in a bit more guitar to take away from some of the emptiness of the songs. Outside of the music portion, their lyrics aren't the most well-written, but I really do appreciate and respect the message that they portray. They're either worshipping God ("Hope Unchanging") or sending out encouragement to the broken-hearted and hurting ("Yesterdays"). It's hard to start a band with its own identity these days, but it's well worth the fight if you can do it. Brightwork is still a new band, and despite the missteps taken on Loving Rescue, there's a lot of potential in these guys, and they should have a pretty bright future.
- Review date: 12/20/11, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com
This Tuesday, June 17
SINGLES Alex Henry Foster Springtime - Single [Hopeful Tragedy] NEEDTOBREATHE Last Drink - Single [UMG]
This Friday, June 19
ALBUMS GVTH DVDDY GVDV [Velvet Blue Music]
SINGLES AAH (All About Him) That's My God - Single (independent) AustinThaNoble Issa Vibe - Single [Syntax] CalledOut Music Everything and More - Single [Integrity] Chris Caro Far From Home - Single [Syntax] Dex the nerd who loves Jesus Lost Files 3000 - Single [Syntax] DOE To You (feat. Joe L Barnes) - Single [Provident/Sony] eddieM Be Still - Single [Syntax] Emery Numbers - Single (independent) Josh Grove Hope - Single (independent) Jericko Come and Get it - Single [Syntax] Kaboose Like That - Single [Polished Arrow Music] KNGDM REVIVAL Psalm 91 - Single [Dream] Kris Kristofferson, Tanya Tucker, Dennis Quaid On My Way to Heaven - Single [Gaither] Tasha Cobbs Leonard Final Say - Single [Motown Gospel / TeeLee] Living Again Cynical and Jaded - Single (independent) Tenielle Neda Who Do They Say I Am? - Single (independent) The Protest Cloudwalker - Single (independent) Raining Locusts Maligned Into Deformity - Single [Charon Collective] Kierra Sheard Shine - Single [Karew] Terrian Mad Big World - Single [Gotee] Tyraels Ascension No End In Sight - Single (independent) Bethany Wohrle Seen Too Much - Single [Bethel] Nathan Woodard You Are Holy - Single [North Chapel Records]
Next Tuesday, June 23
ALBUMS PFR Disappear (Remastered) (independent)
Next Friday, June 26
ALBUMS Andy Mineo & Wordsplayed Magic & Bird 2 (independent) Clark Beckham Acoustic Worship Sessions [NCS] Dragons & Astronauts Broken Parables (independent) floodlit MiDaSu (independent) Gracie Miss Misfortunately [Tooth & Nail] Tiffany Hudson When You're In The Room [Elevation] Switchfoot FOREVER NOW [By Design/BMG] TobyMac Heaven On My Mind – Guest List Edition [Capitol CMG] Tomb Slayer Radiance: Modern Hymns for Kids [Tomb Slayer] Tree63 VOYAGE (independent)
SINGLES Death Protocol Illusion Of Faith - Single [Rottweiler] Hillside Recording in the room - Single (independent) Cameron Payne Time - Single (independent) GLADDEN & Kurtis Hoppie Round & Round - Single (independent) John Reuben 1-2-Barbecue (w/ Mike Tompkins) - Single (independent) Trey Simon & Mountain People Worship Brother Jo - Single (independent) Phil Wickham x Pat Barrett Praise The Lord Forever - Single [Fair Trade]