Beginning where Collision left off, Crowder picks up the conversation at the point of provocative solution. Mindful of music’s power to initiate, influence and direct, DCB serves up ten eclectic, evocative tracks, each of them calling the listener to a deeper consideration of truth and, ultimately, action. All the while brimming over with the band’s signature sonic ingenuity, mind you.
Opening the Process
Much of the process has been made accessible to fans, through Crowder’s blog, daily YouTube videos, and the eight webcams kept running 24/7 in the Barn, the band’s own recording studio, indicative of Crowder’s commitment to fellowship and shared exploration. The album continues the same open vibe, beginning with the hushed and reverent opener “The Glory Of It All.”
Textured Worship
Crowder’s sincerity-soaked vocals ride the percolating rhythms to a gloriously textured climax of celebration. It’s more attention to texture with the synth-heavy follower, “Can You Feel It?” In the midst of throbbing, shifting rhythms and techno beats, Crowder asks if we can feel the surrounding Presence. The disc’s first single is the accessible pop track, “Everything Glorious,” first featured on one of Passion’s earlier live compilations. Classic Crowder, it blends acoustic and electric instrumentation with quirky electronic programming. Factor in the reverent but idiosyncratic lyrics, and you have another wonderful Crowder praise track, Sunday morning material.
Worship Goes Deep
“…neverending…” takes a sharp left with its exuberant punk sensibilities, and “Never Let Go,” a straightforward testimony song and my favorite track, is another shift in direction, this time to a more meditative vibe. From its quiet opening vocals and spare piano line the track moves to a slowly building crescendo of deep worship, all the more potent for the climb. “O For A Thousand Tongues” is given a slightly celtic flair, Crowder’s vocals soaring over the pristine, pulsating arrangement. Crowder fans will recognize “Rain Down” from DCB’s earlier indie release, All I Can Say, here an eclectic blend of rootsy and techno sound. The rousing “We Won’t Be Quiet” is unadulterated techno, an energetic rocker with a wildly hooky chorus soon to be prominent on Sunday mornings. Don’t miss Ted Nugent’s scorching guitar solo.
Remedy
The title track is a sonic feast exhibiting an exciting maturity from every player. Jack Parker’s keys are luminous, Mike Hogan’s violin wrenching in its beauty, and Crowder’s vocals are tightly focused; not a measure of this stunning track goes to waste. The lyrics are dead-on in assessing our spiritual condition, yet together the thick sonics resonate with hope and passion. “Remedy” would have been a great track to go out on, but the intimate “Surely We Can Change” is equally effective with its quiet, restrained power. Conveying hopeful direction through the sparkling strings, Crowder sings his solution: “Where there is pain/let us bring grace/Where there is suffering/bring serenity/for those afraid/let us be brave/Where there is misery/let us bring them relief/and sure we can change/Oh surely we can change/something.” The spiritually charged track goes out on a tight rope of taut energy, ultimately helping us to believe in the possibility, nay, the probability of change, within ourselves. Quite an accomplishment, and very nicely done.
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