Album length: 10 tracks: 35 minutes, 31 seconds Street Date: August 13, 2002
Every once in awhile, you just have to wonder why a compilation record is released. In this case the
excuse is to encourage 8-12 year old boys who are into the whole "2:52" thing. That's fine, but you could
put a little effort into it, can't you? Sure you want to encourage kiddies to buy tobyMac's really sweet
debut album Momentum, but by putting one of his songs among dusty and aged tunes won't help a whole
lot.
2:52 gets off to a decent start with toby's rocking "Get This Party Started" but is followed
up by Skillet's "Invincible" from their 2000 release of the same name. The song is excellent example of Skillet's
industrial rock sound, but I guess the producers forgot that the band released their newer album Alien Youth
last Fall... "Live Out Loud" from the Benjamin Gate follows, a paced yet driving anthem calling Christians
to wear their Faith on their sleeves. Although an excellent song, this song is also dated being that Contact,
their newest release hit shelves last month. A newer treat would have been a stronger addition here.
The record begins going down hill at a rapid pace as ForeFront begins to dust off some old records to include
some songs here. "Super Good Feeling" from Bleach's 1998 ForeFront release Static just seems a little
out dated being four years old now and with having two other albums since. Wouldn't their new single
"We Are Tomorrow" from their debut Tooth & Nail release be more fitting for teens? Duh. Audio Adrenaline's
worshipful "Hands and Feet" from their 1999 release Underdog is next in line, again feeling
a little aged when they've released a hits album and a new album since this song. One of the three most baffling
featured songs includes the late Seven Day Jesus' 1997 hit "Butterfly" from their self-titled sophomore release.
Seven Day has been long gone for years and the members have been in other bands since. The weak "Gratitude" by
Pax217 from their 2000 debut record precedes the title track, "Soulbait," from the early 1997 release by Code
of Ethics. As if that isn't enough to baffle you, the wizards behind the production of this record
reached back six projects to Five Iron Frenzy's debut album Upbeats and Beatdowns from 1996 just for
their song "Cool Enough For You." Are you trying to tell me they haven't had a more relevant song in six years?
To close out this completely odd compilation of old and new songs, the album ends with "2:52" by
The 2:52 Crew, a group of musicians as ambiguous as the reason for this project. Surprisingly
enough, 90's rock fans who just might somehow accidentally hear this record will recognize the vocals behind
the title track as none other than Guardian's former lead vocalist Jamie Rowe. The pop saturated rock tune
is probably great for the younger Jump5 crowd as intended but isn't for the older audiences.
Ultimately, the songs themselves aren't bad (with the exception of maybe one or two), but the order
is simply something you might just hear on an mp3 list on your computer instead of this schizophrenic release.
I say give this away free or charge $1.99 (if that), but I really don't even see the point of this record.
If there really is a need for the title cut, then just release a single with a Bible cover or something, not a full release.
Skip this one folks, unless you're really feeling nostalgic, but then I just suggest pulling out your
old records and listening to the whole thing.
- Review date: 8/17/02, written by J.D.
Record Label:ForeFront Records Album length: 10 tracks, 35 minutes and 31 seconds.
Street Date: August 13, 2002
Record Label: 
