Jars of Clay has sold more than six million albums, won three GRAMMYS, headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals, and successfully launched the Blood:Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. Since the band's debut single, "Flood," astonishingly topped both the mainstream and CCM charts, Jars of Clay has built an extraordinary career based on the uncompromising integrity of its music, worldview, and humanitarianism. Now, three years later, Jars of Clay returns with an album of shimmering, state-of-the-art pop that's as sonically adventurous as it is sly and soulful: The Long Fall Back To Earth.
The September 2007 release of The Flame in All of Us looks to be that noticeable turning point for Thousand Foot Krutch, when the youthful hip-hop and alternative rock sensibilities uniquely coalesce into a more universal, sometimes pop-shaped framework to create a deeper, fuller experience for artist and listener alike. Indeed, there is a theme of unification throughout the new album beginning with its title and opening track, "The Flame in All of Us." An ambitious rocker elevated by a stop-in-your-tracks chorus featuring strings and a softer melody, it illuminates the idea that everyone was created to figure out his and her reason for being on this earth amidst all its tragedies and triumphs.
Audio Adrenaline has always been synonymous with excitement, passion and faith. From albums to videos, rock shows to mission trips, these guys have forged a path of purpose and conviction. Now as speakers, Stuart and McGinniss set out to inspire the next generation of "normals", to let go of their fear, and grab hold of their destiny.
When Gotee founder TobyMac first heard B.Reith's (born Brian Reith) music in 2006 he pulled his car over to the side of the road. "It's amazing when God truly gives someone a gift," says Toby. "Brian is just naturally gifted from God vocally and his lyrics, when they hit tape, they sort of just ease into your heart." B.Reith speaks the relevant dialect of today's culture, and has the heart to address real issues, presenting hope and shedding light into this decaying world. "My number one passion is to connect with people, to entertain them, to stir up emotion in them, and to challenge them by sharing life from a different perspective. There is something we're all yearning for. I'm just trying to help direct our attention to it, and music is the most powerful way I know how."
Frontman Ben Olin and his bandmates are here to remind us that we do not see things as we should. In fact, they want us to know that we usually see things completely wrong. And This Beautiful Republic thanks God for it. "The way we see things dictates what we believe, and how we live. We, as Christians-if we see things the way they truly are in light of sin-can only see ourselves as totally undeserving of love from God. But despite our sin, God sees us through a filter of Jesus' blood as pure, beautiful, and precious. His perception is the complete opposite of ours, and that's incredible to think about." This Beautiful Republic has put in the endless hours necessary to build a stable base through sharing the stage with everyone from Family Force 5 to Falling up to Thousand Foot Krutch to Sanctus Real.
What's the difference between FM Static and Thousand Foot Krutch? Singer-songwriter Trevor McNevan and drummer Steve Augustine lead both bands, but the former is a side project to the latter. In fact, the public has shown center-stage love for each act's efforts, from FM Static's summery punk-pop to TFK's more autumnal, metallic rock. No doubt FM Static listeners-by and large a student audience-will also be enthralled with the spot-on relatable happenings and character confessions of Dear Diary. What listeners can ultimately expect is a rocking, melodically-charged coming-of-age story that somehow combines the creative vibe of independent films like Juno and Napoleon Dynamite, a dash of High School Musical charm, and the altogether rare element of uncensored faith.
