Artist Info:Discography Album length: 10 tracks Street Date: May 9, 2006
If you are unfamiliar with this Washington-based four-piece rock outfit, Hyperstatic Union
is the first band to release music under Third Day's Consuming Fire Productions. Third Day front
man Mac Powell produced the album, which gave many people, including myself, a good feeling about
this debut release, even before any music was heard. However, even after several attempts, I still
find it impossible to get through the album in one sitting. There is not one particular thing that does
not work, it is the combination of it all: the music, the under-polished production, and the
lyrical quality.
It cannot be denied that HSU definitely has a different musical sound, in fact they have
several. With "Chariot," the band creates what easily could be the next single from Sugar Ray,
while on "Overhead," which is currently enjoying some success on radio (#13), HSU goes for the
harder rock sound, with the coarse vocal track taking the backseat to roaring guitar riffs.
Things even get a little funky with "Can't Leave It Alone," whilst HSU ventures even further on
their cross-genre trek, pulling their own MercyMe power-ballad with "Free Me." None of these songs
are textbook poor musically; they just do not fit together to form a well-crafted debut album.
The only consistent problem I have with Lifegiver is with the lyrics - not the message
represented by the lyrics, but rather the lyrics themselves. Take the chorus of "Chariot" for
example: "I'm waiting, watching, and I'm wondering / Will You carry us / Right past the lightning
and the thundering / In Your chariot" Their music strives to be so different from everyone
else, yet they do not have the lyrical power to really make their music one of a kind, which
acts almost like a handicap.
For every truly great Christian band that calls it quits, you have ten more fighting to take
their place. While Hyperstatic Union is by no means an untalented band, Lifegiver is not
the solid debut a band needs to establish their ground in the industry. HSU does not mind being
different, and they deserve commendation for fearlessly delivering such a unique album like
this, but after all of the hype and PR push over this debut fades away, one has to wonder if there
would be enough reason to not lose track of the band.
- Review date: 5/8/06, written by Andrew Shaw
Record Label:RKT Album length: 10 tracks
Street Date: May 9, 2006
Buy It:JfH Music Store
Record Label: 
