Genre: Pop/Rock, Worship
Members: Lamont Hiebert (vocals, guitar), Tommy Lee (bass), Austin Morrison (drums), Jake Carey (lead guitar)
For fans of: Coldplay, Counting Crows, Travis, Train
Label: INO Records

 1 of 5

"to live without risk is to risk not living"—Brennan Manning

What does the term "risk" bring to your mind? Perhaps it's a synonym for taking a chance or going out on a limb. Maybe it's the refusal to be contained within a comfort zone. Quite possibly, it's the realization that a decision or action may yield damage, loss, or even complete failure. When it comes to musical territories, the "risk" factor encompasses all of the above terrain, though between a band's freshman and sophomore recordings that element reaches its zenith.

Enter melodic rockers Ten Shekel Shirt, whose worship-driven 2001 national debut Much spawned the number one single "Ocean" and the top ten charter "Meet With Me". Following radio hits, a 2002 Dove nomination and boatloads of critical acclaim you might think that a band would rest on the safety of their laurels, basking in the "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" mentality. Ten Shekel Shirt's sophomore release, the appropriately titled Risk, makes it clear that they haven't.

Not afraid to chart a different course or venture outside of previous boundaries, The Shirts have taken to exploring new lyrical and musical landscapes, while staying true to what matters most. "The band's goal in making music has always been to create a place where people feel the safety and freedom to meet with God," says singer/songwriter Lamont Hiebert. "So often we think that meeting with God has to happen in worship, but it can happen while reflecting on a loved one, spending time with good friends or reaching out to those in need. That's what this record is about." From the opening chorus, "I'm allowed to live to make the Maker smile, I vow to give the best years of my life", listening to Risk you quickly find yourself challenged, inspired and a little less comfortable with your … comfort.

next page... |  1 of 5

				Try 3 Issues of Christianity Today Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.

FREE Newsletter Sign up now for the Christian Music Today weekly newsletter:    RSS Feed   RSS Help