Culture
Review

The Upside of Down

Christianity Today August 21, 2012

Style: Contemplative pop; compare to John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Shawn McDonald

The Upside Of Down

The Upside Of Down

Word Entertainment

August 21, 2012

The Upside Of Down

The Upside Of Down

Word Entertainment

August 21, 2012

Top tracks: “Amen,” “This Side of Heaven,” “1989,” “Let the Music Play”

Written in the wake of a hospital stay following a skateboarding accident, August’s sophomore album has a naturally contemplative tone. Though some of the songs wrestle with cabin fever and brokenness, much of the material has a humble or positive upswing. Musically, it’s warm, casual, and occasionally soulful, on par with many of today’s top 40 troubadours. Though a few lyrical clichés and average arrangements disrupt the flow, August still hits several toe-tapping strides as he expresses spiritual certainty.

Copyright © 2012 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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