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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Dale Larson
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Dale Larson
The King in the Cage

Street Date: October 1, 2021
Style: Rock
Official Site: Instagram
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3



Scripture songs have grown in popularity over the past decade, with some groups making that their speciality. Most of the time, they're singing the Bible verbatim, and backing it with a folk or piano driven track. Dale Larson, making his music debut with The King in the Cage, shakes up the formula. His focus is on the book of Ecclesiastes, but he doesn't sing it line by line. There are moments when he does pull whole verses out and put them to music, but most of the time, he pulls out the thought behind the passage and even adds some New Testament understanding (like on "Ecclesiastes 12," where he points out God making all things new, including us). But Larson also shakes things up musically, opting for a heavy rock approach to the words of the Preacher. Sometimes it feels like Swedish metal with the use of strings and synth (think Narnia); sometimes it feels like pop rock, and other times (especially when the acoustic guitar makes a rare appearance), it sends one back to the days of '90s rock bands doing a soft ballad (some of Bride's material comes to mind). Giving Ecclesiastes a rock feel actually works as the angst that often associates itself with the genre lends some personality to the wrestlings of the Preacher. In fact, the music is the strongest point of the album, using subtle touches of variety in each song and all the instruments being mixed well. Larson's voice is the weakest part, musically. There are moments where his range feels stretched or he could use some stronger backing vocals to flesh out his voice. And while Scripture songs tend to feel somewhat awkward in their phrasing and rhythm lyrically, it still comes off jarring and The King in the Cage suffers from that pitfall of the medium. Still, it is worth applauding Dale Larson on completing this epic project. If you know the book well (I'm a fan, personally), you can listen along and know which chapter you're in and gain a new perspective based on how Larson interprets it. The album has its weaknesses, but fans of Scripture songs who are looking for something with a little more musical meat to it should find The King in the Cage satisfying.

- Review date: 11/4/21, 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]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
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]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
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]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
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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