The husky vocals of Canadian Drew Brown grab your attention immediately, but it doesn't stop there. His alt rock sound, from Avante Records, gives you a lot to take in.
The eleven tracks are solid rockers, all written and arranged by Brown, or "db," his preferred moniker. I like the way he has arranged the tracks to climb their way through the project, each one moving forward from the one before. They move progressively in terms of passion expressed, lyrics developed, and even the music seems to thicken. Mostly guitar-driven, they are for the most part worshipful rockers, descriptively worded and beautifully vocalized. Db offers some very insightful lyrics, rich with understanding and encouragement, his voice making every line a delight, thick with meaning and passion. Interestingly, several songs cover fear issues ("Fear Before the Fall" & "We Belong"), a topic that he handles skillfully and with sensitivity.
Db brings the same intelligence to "Collide," addressing the battle for control we tend to engage in. As if. The solid rock changes of quiet "We Belong" give db the opportunity to advance his reassuring message of faith, which actually is his stated intention for his music. "My focus is the power of song first. Music that moves people's hearts and their minds. If I can do that, if I can have an album filled with songs that can do that, then for me it is a success!"
Other standout tracks include throbbing rocker "Dark Hills," its emotive changes celebrating the mysteries of God. "Shine" is thick with strings and rousing lyrics. "Reach" exuberantly exults in God's pursuing love, and the encouraging "Deep Water" is another descriptive gem. My favorite is the quietly pleading "Come Back Down," lush with urgency and honesty, as db bravely lays out his desperate need for Presence. His raw vocals only accentuate his willing authenticity. The effect is deeply moving and encouraging, leading the listener's heart to the same place of genuine need. For these reasons and others, Drew Brown's "From a Whisper to a Roar" is effectual ministry, both aesthetically and spiritually.
