Culture
Review

Move

Christianity Today October 19, 2010

Style: Southern-influenced modern rock; compare to DecembeRadio, Black Crowes, Needtobreathe

Move

Move

SONY MUSIC CANADA ENTERTAINMENT INC.

October 19, 2010

Move

Move

SONY MUSIC CANADA ENTERTAINMENT INC.

October 19, 2010

Top tracks: “Lift Up Your Face,” “Follow Me There,” “I’ll Be Your Miracle”

When Third Day released its self-titled debut fifteen years ago, the Atlanta-based band had no idea the initial indie spark created by its stellar southern rock would flame into a wildfire of success, immortally blistering their career into Christian music annals.

Now, after landing dozens of Dove Awards, four Grammies, an American Music Award, and multiple platinum and gold radio hits, the pioneering rockers revisit their southern heritage, revealing an album that could easily be a sister project to 1999’s irresistible Time CD.

Magically marrying deep soul with melodic rock throughout the entire twelve-track list, “Lift Up Your Face” kicks off the CD featuring a fiery collaboration with music’s legendary Blind Boys of Alabama and a hearty charge (“Lift up your face / Salvation is calling your name“) to look heavenward for lasting hope. “Follow Me There” continues the upward decree via a gospel Americana tone a la Mavis Staple—complete with a black gospel-inspired background chorus.

“Make Your Move” uses a distorted vocal bridge and grungy half-time chorus groove to depict evangelism from a non-believer’s perspective: “You got love and I got time / Won’t you make a move before I change my mind / I want to believe it’s true / I’m listening close,” while “What Have You Got to Lose” presents the opposite plea: “Sin and shame, guilt and pain, pride and your conceit / Here and now lay them down at the Savior’s feet.”

With a charismatic dobro leading the way, “Surrender” issues another believer’s appeal in a Lynyrd Skynyrd-type acoustic rock context. And “I’ll Be Your Miracle” utilizes a slow-rolling banjo and country-and-western-styled pedal steel to create a Jayhawks-Darius Rucker hybrid, making it easy to understand why country music superstar Keith Urban cut one of the band’s popular catalog songs (“Call My Name”) in 2009.

“Children of God” and “Trust in Jesus” are sure-fire church hits with Mac Powell’s authoritative baritone purring anthemic, testimony-type praise choruses perfect for radio.

Though it may be too soon to call Third Day a legend, Move is yet another attractive release in an illustrious discography certain to be celebrated for years to come.

Copyright © 2010 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Our Latest

News

Meet the Evangelical Expats Staying in Lebanon

Shout to the Lord in a Foreign Language

Worshiping God with words we don’t understand may seem strange. But I consider it a spiritual practice.

Jesus Is Still Right About Persecution

Nine truths believers need to understand to pray well for the suffering body of Christ.

The Bulletin

Electioneering

The Bulletin discusses the final presidential campaign push, churches in the age of screens, and the UN’s work in Gaza.

News

Argentina Moves to Officially Celebrate Its Evangelicals

Leaders are grateful for the government recognition but hope for further progress.

All Saints Die

Our yearly reminder for Christians neither to run from nor to leap toward death, but to learn the art of dying well.

 

 

 

 

The Antidote to Election Anxiety

My community is the kind you see in articles hyping the threat of political violence. Reality is more mundane—and hopeful.

News

Steven Curtis Chapman Joins Country Music Royalty

The Christian music star is the first in the industry to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube