[img_assist|nid=2610|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=180]Recently yet another “jaded” thought about new music, whether from a seasoned band or a new artist, ran through my head. That explains in part why I haven’t paid as much attention to the timing of upcoming releases. In the past I had been more mindful of new albums and always kept a lot of dates in my head. So when I received the pre-release for Third Day’s next album Move arrived just as I was about to leave for another summer music festival, I thought, “I shouldn’t have to read the information to remember the October 19, 2010 street date!”
My next consideration was that of skepticism. I stared at the song titles and wondered what this accomplished band would put forth. Though Third Day will always have a special place in my always expanding list of favorite bands, their music lost the top position after all of those Offerings discs. The first song, “Lift Up Your Face”, featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama, was close to ripping my face off. Ok, perhaps that is a wee bit exaggerated. Mac Powell’s voice flows from soft to loud, and from low to high while the energy of the guitars brought excitement to the lyrics. The first radio single, perhaps you have already caught this one on the radio. As for me, it was the repeat song.
The bouncy somewhat jazzy feeling of “Make Your Move” gave me a reason to listen for more. “Children of God” was the first song that I thought, “radio single”. After all, doesn’t every album need some sort of worship song to be placed on radio? A more mellow song with catchy repetitive lyrics, complete with a children’s chorus at its close. The hand-clapping infused “Surrender” came next and quickly I noted the tune was reminiscent of Time, Third Day’s third release, and probably my favorite. “Trust in Jesus” is another worship song, one which I could see as part of a live set list.
“Follow Me There” carries out the southern rock roots that first brought me to this band over ten years ago. It was at this point of the album that I began to notice the movement intertwined in the lyrical content. The title alone summons the listener to action. The movement continues with “Gone”, another song with music bringing to mind the Time era.
The pace slows down with “What Have We Got To Lose” while encouraging the listener to let go and make a change in life. “Hopes and dreams and all the things you have ever made/Don’t mean much if in the end you have lost your way.” “I’ll Be Your Miracle” asserts the hope that can be found in unhappy circumstances. The ‘movement’ rolls on with “Everywhere You Go”, a song about the desire to follow God.
“Sound of Your Voice” is another slow song that may have great lyrics, but I am afraid this will be my skip song. The lyrics of the final track “Don’t Give Up Hope” encourage the listener to remember, “There is always something better around the corner” despite a life that seems out of control. The movement theme comes in with “Don’t look back, keep on moving, A milder song musically, yet building to a definite Third Day gutsy ending.
Also releasing on October 19th is The Essential Christmas Collection, a new project featuring holiday songs from Third Day, Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Rebecca St. James, Brandon Heath, Tenth Avenue North, Building 429 and Matt Maher along with newcomers, Revive, Kerrie Roberts and Anthem Lights. The collection includes stunning versions of Christmas classics as well as two original tunes---Heath’s poignant “The Night Before Christmas” and Smith’s original “All is Well.” Some songs, such as Third Day’s “Angels We Have Heard on High” and Michael W. Smith’s original “All is Well” may be familiar to you. Not to worry, though, as new renditions of timeless Christmas classics abound in this 12-song collection.