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John Mark McMillan
The Medicine (Integrity)
Released July 2010
John Brandon

Comments (6)

Style: Grungy worship rock; compare to The Glorious Unseen, Third Day, Marc James

Top tracks: "Reckoning Day," "Skeleton Bones," "Philadelphia"

John Mark McMillan's major label debut, originally an indie release, is a stark departure from the worship anthems of, say, Paul Baloche. Songs explore deep themes such as dead bones coming to life in Christ and the final resurrection. McMillan includes his own song "How He Loves," made famous by David Crowder Band and The Glorious Unseen. The song came about when a youth pastor friend of McMillan's told teens he would give his life if it would rouse them to a spiritual awakening; the friend died in a car accident that night. Curiously, McMillan's musical style is more like Pearl Jam than Crowder Band. Pounding drums, soaring guitar solos, and a classic-rock vocal delivery make this an eclectic, but appealing, listen.

Comments (6)

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Daryll Dorman

July 20, 2010 12:57am

This album is amazing. Should DEFINITELY be higher than 3 stars!! "Between the Cracks" is amazing. I recently bought the Phil Wickham album, and the slick production of that compared to this makes this album that much more raw. Like Pearl Jam meets Dave Matthews Band meets David Crowder Band if you ask me...

Jon Hodges

July 16, 2010 2:21am

Like some of the other comments on here, I'm really surprised this only got 3 stars - for an album as musically creative (James Duke's electric guitar work is beautifully understated and tonally glorious) and lyrically expressive (John Mark goes out of his way to say things in a new way - the same truth, just expressed differently) as John Mark's work. I struggled to see the Pearl Jam influence myself - this is more americana and southern-rock goodness to my ears, but above all else it's full of life, energy and meaning - things sadly lacking in a lot of worship music. The Medicine gets 5 stars from me - creative, inspiring and downright different.

Bill B

July 14, 2010 3:30am

Bought this album off of itunes because of a friends recommendation. I like it, but don't think it deserving of all the 5-star ratings. Actually, would give it a 3.5 star rating, myself.

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