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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Move

Chris Bernstorf
Move

Street Date: October 3, 2012
Style: Spoken Word
Website: Facebook
Buy It: Amazon.com

The art of spoken word was something you didn't hear too much about in Christian entertainment for a long time. In the last decade, though, we've gotten excellent artists to have offered up their talents in the field, such as Bradley Hathaway, Levi the Poet, and Propaganda. At the same time, thanks to the internet, which gives anyone, anywhere, and at anytime the power to do whatever they want, we've also gotten loads of people who have a passion for spoken word, with more failures than accomplishments. Enter Chris Bernstorf and his new album Move. I'd be hard pressed to call Bernstorf a failure by any means, but from the very beginning of Move and for its duration, he does very little to distinguish himself from acclaimed yeller Levi the Poet. From the harsh emphasizing of seemingly random words, to the intermittent quick, deep breaths, to the speech patterns, laugh-talking, and out-of-nowhere singing of lyrics; it's nearly identical to Levi's method of performing. If played in the background, you may not be able to tell the difference. It's because of this that I have a hard time listening to it without being annoyed. The words Bernstorf speaks have good intentions that reveal his authentic desire to be a great spoken word artist, but a lot of what he says feels like he may just be trying a little too hard. "O Exuberant Death" is a good example, as he says "O exuberant death, I know your secret, the truth upon which you've woven your pathetic web of farce. You sham, death, you mockery. I know you and your worthless game. You are but a moment, a miniscule speck in time. You are no eternity, no fate to fear, no cause for trepidation." I like the idea of looking at death as just a passageway into eternity instead of something to fear, but the inclusion of bigger, more profound adjectives really only aids in sounding more pretentious than eloquent. "Eschatology and Autopsies" is similar, in that the idea is good - presenting the idea that, upon death and looking at our insides, we can't be told apart from anyone else, be they a terrorist or a nun - but again, it's the words themselves that are lacking. Bernstorf goes on and on a little too long with naming all of the people that one may or may not find to be a "good" or "bad" person on the outside. This continues through all of Move; good ideas with an execution that could be stronger. This style of art is a very acquired taste, so this will appeal to a select few. If you're already a Levi the Poet fan, you may enjoy some of what Chris Bernstorf has to offer, but then again, you may (like myself) find the blatant similarities a little hard to ignore. Either way, this is available for free download from his Bandcamp page.

- Review date: 10/26/12, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

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

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

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]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

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



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