Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review




The Normals
Coming To Life



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 55 minutes, 42 seconds
Street Date: June 20, 2000


Sometimes a new artist comes out who releases a debut that isn't new, isn't extraordinary, and doesn't stand out. Other times they can release a debut that's spectacular and amazing. The Normals did the former. However, when the new artist's sophomore project rolls around, it's commonly a step down or a disappointing continuation of their first effort. Amazingly and thankfully, The Normals broke the mold.

For someone who was strongly unimpressed with their self-titled 1998 debut CD, I was pleasantly shocked by their sophomore musical portrait Coming to Life. The album is being advertised as an album you can read like a book. And it's true. The lyrics are honest, poetic, and are complimented by the melodic and moody music. Lead vocalist, Andrew Osenga appears to have had a complete shift in musical direction. His emotional, sometimes strained-sounding vocals feel more at home with the melodic and passionate music better displayed on Coming to Life. Ironically, The Normals have done just that-- come to life. Forget the 3-piece boys who brought you the first album. The Normals have been reinvented as a 5-piece group of men with much talent to offer.

The only problem that seems to exist on Coming to Life is it suffers mildly from a feeling of "sameness." Each song stands apart as it's own musical story, but the album continues with one song after another having the same exact feel-- 12 times. The album begins with the mildly upbeat "Every Moment" and "The Best I Can," before immediately slowing down for much of the rest of the album. Although Andrew really pushes his vocals on this project, to the point of pain, he doesn't really vary the sounds it can produce.

Album highlights are easily the first two previously mentioned tracks, "Don't Hold Back," "These Times, and the catchy, upbeat "Two Wrongs and a Right." The Normals have started anew and have created a highly artistic and fantastic sophomore album. If you were a fan of their debut record, or had no tolerance for it like myself, be sure to check out Coming to Life. It'll surprise you-- in a good way.

- Review date: 6/26/00, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Forefront Records
. Album length: 12 tracks, 55 minutes and 42 seconds
. Street Date: June 20, 2000
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Every Moment
  2. The Best I Can
  3. Black Dress
  4. We Are the Beggars At the Foot of God's Door
  5. Hillary
  6. Don't Hold Back (Full On)
  7. No Alibis
  8. These Times
  9. Two Wrongs and a Right
  10. Coming to Life
  11. Heaven Heals
  12. The Survivor
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images