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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Too Big To Fail

Matthew McMahon
Too Big To Fail EP

Street Date: August 24, 2010
Style: Southern Rock
Buy It: Amazon.com


A singer/songwriter from Washington, D.C., Matthew McMahon takes his love for Jesus and his interest in politics and incorporates them into the songs on his latest EP, Too Big To Fail. Strangely, for the part of the country he's from, the EP is a southern rock-flavored offering with a little bit of pop rock and a hint of gospel. It's not so strange, though, if you know that he spent a good half decade in Nashville where he worked on his music skills. The first track, "Too Big To Fail," is a southern rock song through and through, with upbeat drums, organs and lively piano. His voice fits in with the sound pretty well, while simultaneously sounding slightly out of place. The song takes a stab at satire, mocking the government's poor decisions as of late (particularly all the bail out proceedings). It's not the most cleverly-written satire, but it's a noble attempt. The title track is definitely outshined by the following song, "Purified." It's a song longing for God's purification and freedom, having potential to work its way into the Christian radio world and keeping up with some of the other artists there, provided that McMahon can clean up the sound just a little and keep working on his vocals. There are some high notes in "Purified" that he has a bit of trouble hitting. "The Mills of God" follows, contemplating the hardships in life, leading to "Sick of the World," where McMahon lets out his feelings about not just the hardships, but also the sinners that we all are, set to a very slowly-played acoustic guitar. He points out the world's flaws ("We live in a culture that plays us for fools, where madmen go nuclear and kids shoot up schools"), but makes sure to not let himself off the hook ("my members won't do what they should"). My only problem with this song is that the slowness of it almost makes the chorus feel a bit too repetitive. Otherwise, it's a shining moment on Too Big To Fail. Finally, McMahon finishes with a song inspired by a Dave Ramsey quote in which Ramsey says (in reference to newlyweds): "The preacher said, 'And now you are one.' He did not pronounce you a joint venture." It's a love song for McMahon's wife called "Let's Get Ahead of Ourselves," asking her to be one with him and, in a sense, be done with waiting for the future.

McMahon has a pretty good sound, and a lot of potential to be a star on radio. He may a way to go in order to get there, mainly with production and vocal quality, but some more work and another album should put him up there with some of the bigger names in contemporary Christian music.

- Review date: 11/15/10, written by Scott Fryberger 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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