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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

The Sunrise, Have We Not Heard

The Sunrise
Have We Not Heard

Street Date: May 22, 2012
Style: Folk / Jesus Music
Official Site: TheSunriseMusic.com
Buy It: Amazon.com

From the colorful cover art to the throwback sounds contained inside, there is no mistaking that Cleveland, Ohio's The Sunrise is quite the nostalgia trip for the 1970's Jesus Music Movement, and that's exactly how James and Rebecca Mileti want it to be. Hearkening back to the earliest days of CCM as we know it -- The Resurrection Band, Larry Norman, and Christian hippies -- The Sunrise's sophomore release We Have Not Heard makes for a charming throwback in its best moments. Retro sounds are mainstream in a big way, but rather than make a 70's influenced indie album, everything about The Sunrise is styled to mirror the classic chilled out hippie folk sound, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Some assistance from guitar legend Phil Keaggy and Crosby Stills Nash and Young drummer Joe Vitale add a nice touch as well as some classic rock cred to this record. And despite some less than stellar recording and production values, James' and Rebecca's vocals are true to the spirit of the era, blending nicely with the nostalgic sound.

Depending how you look at it, the songwriting itself is either the biggest detriment to the record or another crucial element of this Jesus Music tribute. The forthright evangelical songwriting all too often relies on Christian cliches and sounds a lot like it exists to make a point, rather than simply be part of the song's craft. While such unironic faith-sharing is somewhat refreshing against more "watered down" lyricism, some extra attention to nuance and craft could benefit these songs and lift them out of the realm of novelty. Still, as far as the genre goes, The Sunrise might be just the right thing for listeners yearning for some 70s nostalgia.

- Review date: 9/10/13, written by Jen Rose of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
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Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
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SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
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Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
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]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
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Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
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Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
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]
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Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
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SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
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Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

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



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