After a mediocre release with Oxygen:Inhale, Thousand Foot Krutch is back with the "sequel," Exhale, this time with more rock (11 out of 12 tracks to be exact). TFK have always been masters of crafting catchy rock hooks and lyrics you can't help but sing along to. The band delivers both in abundance here, but overall, this album lacks the lyrical poignancy and emotional impact to make this a memorable record.
TFK already put their best foot forward with their singles "Born Again," "Running With Giants" and "Give Up The Ghost." Tucked away towards the end of the album, "Born Again" is the strongest of these three with crunchy guitar riffs, a bouncy drum beat, singable lyrics and a great message proclaiming the power of God's saving grace. "Give Up The Ghost" features a ridiculously catchy chorus about his past sins being "out-haunted" by the Holy Spirit. The anthem, "Running With Giants," is the most arena-ready track on the album as Trevor boldly declares a sense gratitude for God's constant and transforming presence in his life. Trevor's vocal prowess is on full display throughout these songs as he flawlessly transitions between singing, shouting, talking, and quasi-rapping, proving he's come a long way since the band's first release 19 years ago.
Contrasting these highlights are a few weaker tracks, like "Push" and "Can't Stop This." "Push," which really needs a better name, has the same structure as their previous hit single, "War Of Change," but the execution and lyrics are not nearly as good. Even "Untraveled Road" from Oxygen:Inhale, which follows a similar formula, is pulled off with greater skill. The fist-pumping anthems "Can't Stop This" and "A Different Kind of Dynamite" are relatively fun, but have little substance. To be fair, the amount of things set on fire is limited to one line in "Incomplete," but there are still dozens of bombs and explosion metaphors. Apparently, Trevor inhales fire and exhales explosions.
"The River" is a mid-tempo rocker with a southern edge. It's hard not to disassociate "The River" from the plethora of other river themed songs when the lyrics used here don't bring anything new to the table: "take me down to the river / wash me in the water / take me to the bottom." It's especially difficult because Decyfer Down did a similar song better in 2013. "Honest" is the only ballad on the album, so there is inherently a lot of emphasis on it, and even more so for being the closer. While it is a solid track, it doesn't hold up well under the weight as it is not up to par with "This Is A Call" or "So Far Gone."
Exhale is far from a letdown, but it could certainly afford to take more risks. Part of the problem lies in having 11 rock songs in a row. There are a few unique moments on the album that help break it up from sounding the same (such as the fast and furious rapping on "Adrenaline" and the screechy guitar on "Off The Rails"), but when compared to the musical mastery of songs like "Welcome to the Masquerade," or the fun rhymes on "Phenomenon," these new tunes just don't stand out as much. Though Exhale is not the band's best release, it is step up from Oxygen:Inhale and TFK fans would be remiss to pass up on this rock fest.
- Preview Review date: 5/1/16, Review date: 6/7/16, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com
Ryan Stevenson and Country Superstar Deana Carter Team for New Song, "Rich" Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:55:00 EST |
11th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards Announce More Talent and Events Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:45:00 EST |
Travis Tritt Invites Fans to the "Country Chapel" with DVD from Gaither Music Group Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:30:00 EST |
Darius Mullin Drops First Solo-Release Since 2020 Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:20:00 EST |
Jekalyn Carr Honors Gospel Legends with Legacy Album Cover Photoshoot Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:20:00 EST |
Mandisa Passes Away at Age 47 Fri, 19 Apr 2024 17:30:00 EST |
Eddy Puyol Keeps Music on Mission with "Nothing Changed But My Stage Name" Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:50:00 EST |
DAD TIRED FOUNDER JERRAD LOPES EXPANDS POPULAR MINISTRY WITH DEBUT CHILDREN’S TITLE Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:07:46 +0000 |
“Anything Goes” by Andrew Kerhoulas of Brother K Thu, 04 Apr 2024 02:54:00 +0000 |
Demi-Leigh Tebow to release debut book this August Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:20:38 +0000 |