 Telecast
Quiet Revolution (BEC Recordings)
Released April 2008
reviewed by Russ Breimeier
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Sounds like … modern worship with a decidedly Brit pop bent, influenced by Coldplay, Travis, and Delirious, with similarities to All Star United, Jeremy Camp, and By the Tree
At a glance … the worshipful sound on Telecast's Quiet Revolution is pleasant but uninteresting, lacking the artistry and passion exhibited by similar bands like Leeland and Delirious
Because Josh White and his band Telecast never made much of a splash, and their official web site is temporarily down, I mistakenly assumed they were finished. Turns out White was simply immersed in the very work that sparked Telecast, continuing to serve as a worship pastor after relocating to Solid Rock Christian Fellowship near Portland, Oregon. With an all-new lineup (aside from White), the band's third recording was inspired by a desire to slow down and rediscover the "beautiful simplicity in a relationship with Jesus."
Beautiful simplicity pretty well sums up Quiet Revolution. Telecast has always shown an affinity for melodic Brit pop a la Coldplay and Travis. It continues here with a light worshipful pop/rock sound that relies as heavily on piano and bells as it does shimmering guitars. And you'll find some depth in "The Message," taking its cue from 1 John 1:6-9 with words about transforming sinful hearts by following Jesus' example: "If we're walking in the light as he's in the light/Then the blood of Christ removes the night from our heart/Then this fellowship of love begins/When the blood of Christ removes the sin we can start to see him."
Unfortunately, not enough songs are profound enough to match the arty style. A title like "Impossible Possibility" suggests deep theological insight into the divine, but it's ultimately a basic song of spiritual surrender: "I'm driven to my knees/Lord I'm begging you, please/Fulfill in me this life that only you can live through me." There's not much mystery to "Beautiful Mystery" either, which only touches on our love of an unseen God after simplistic and clichéd worship phrasing: "I will praise you with all of my heart, soul, and strength/And I need you more and more each day/Lord I love you/The foot of the cross I will stay/Your blood it covers me."
Much as I want to appreciate Quiet Revolution, the album fails to stand up to the creativity of comparable bands and artists. The songs aren't as intricate and personable as Delirious, or as passionate and potent as Leeland, or as fun as All Star United. And though much of the album is congregational friendly, the songs aren't as memorable as Matt Redman or Tim Hughes.
Quiet Revolution is not bad, but just okay. The closing minute of "Infinite Worth" illustrates Telecast's dilemma. It's ambitious for piling on trumpet, keyboard choirs, and even some mandolin for a glorious sound, but all of that is built on a dull piano loop that sounds like a practice exercise. The problem with intentional simplicity is that it treads a fine line between beauty and boredom.
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Telecast
Quiet Revolution (BEC Recordings)
Released April 2008
reviewed by Russ Breimeier
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