Portable Sounds by Toby Mac
A Review of the New Release From the Front Man of DC Talk
A brief review of the new CD, Portable Sounds, from Toby Mac. Toby's music is a fixture for many Christian college students but is this new release worth buying?
For those who love Toby Mac, the new release, Portable Sounds, will be another treasure for your collection. In fact, you had better make a copy of it so you don’t wear it out! For those who are new to the front guy for DC Talk, this CD will make you want to crank up the volume on whatever system you use to hear it. If you like music at all, (ok, so if you like classical or jazz, maybe not) you will find a track or a “joint” as Toby’s son, Tru Dog, calls them, that you will enjoy. Most of these songs will find their way onto your ipod if you know what that means. Overall, this CD is a fun, energetic, non-stop party for your ears and your soul.
There are several tracks on Portable Sounds that were obviously created to get a lot of airplay on contemporary adult Christian radio stations. The first song from the CD released was “Made to Love”. The influence of Jamaican music can be felt in the beat and the sound of the song. The lyrics remind us that we were created by God to love and be loved by Him. “I’m For You” is another track that sounds like it was made for the radio. The song has catchy rhythms that are not so “edgy” as to drive away parents who find this track on their kids’ computer. The message delivered is the need for the family of God to be there for each other and to be an encourager of other believers. “All In” is a song with a simple, yet much needed message: total commitment to Jesus. The hook in the chorus will have you singing this song over and over in your head.
In addition to the island groove that can be detected in “Made to Love”, the CD contains a couple of other island feeling songs. “One World” is the first track on the CD and features a reggae beat that will have you hooked from the first measure. “No Ordinary Love” continues the theme of the islands in the music. This upbeat tune with another great hook will have you moving wherever you listen to it, (even if you are a Baptist!). Fans will definitely want Toby to do this one live on tour!
“Face of the Earth” has an old school DC Talk vibe about it. The words remind us to stay in touch with our friends and be willing to “push into” their lives when necessary to keep them on the right track. “Feeling So Fly” has a R&B sound and urban lyrics. All that’s missing from this one to be a hit on pop radio is a Carlos Santana guitar track. It’s a great feeling song with a great message about the effects of God’s love for us. “Suddenly” sounds like a mix of the old Beatles tunes and modern pop sounds. Anyone who has gone through trials and suddenly found themselves on the other side will identify with the message immediately.
“Ignition” might be the title cut from the soundtrack of the Transporter 3 movie, since it sounds a lot like the cut Toby had for Transporter 2. The rocker comes out and the drums move the track along with a driving force that will get your pulse up. The words are a request for the Lord to renew the faith that often lies dormant in many of us. The title of the CD is found in the lyrics of the song, “Boomin”. This is the typical Toby Mac track that makes you want to turn up your Ipod and go for a long run or hit the gym. The lyrics are strong as well. You’ll want to boom this one from your car, or your portable sound system!
There are several “surprise tracks” on the CD. These are little ditties or funny things that got recorded in the process of making the tracks for the CD. Some of them will make you laugh and keeps you feeling like you are at a friend’s house as you listen to the CD. Don’t miss the Mandisa Opera Trip or Tru Dog’s track!
The final track on the CD features Kirk Franklin and Mandisa. “Lose My Soul” is a great ending to a great CD. The message is to keep it real whatever we are doing. The use of the line, “America has no more stars, now we have idols” is ironic given the fact that Mandisa was a contestant on the show. The three artists have produced a song that will get a lot of air play and remind people in America that prosperity has its place and that place is in back of the desire to maintain our love for God regardless of whether we are famous or ordinary. This track is worth the price of the CD, even if you are not a fan of the style of Christian music that Toby Mac brings to the church.
