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Parachute Band – Technicolor
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ALASTAIR VANCE – go to Live to Worship
Synopsis: Let me start by saying I LOVE THIS ALBUM! This is what a good worship album should sound like. There is a real good mix of tracks from high energy to intimate worship and styles that will suit many worshipers – young and old. The band sounds like a cross between Hillsong United and Starfield.
I have not heard any previous Parachute Band songs, so I cannot compare this to other albums but there is a lot of top class tunes on here. If you liked the Jonathan Lee album we reviewed a couple of weeks back there’s a good chance you will dig this one also, or vice versa.
The backing vocals in Everlasting were unexpected (think Lion King), but very well done. I’m not sure it’s one every church could pull off though!
Bottom Line: 4.5 out of 5
I was tempted to give this album 5 out of 5, but we’re still early days on the joint and I don’t want to be handing out top marks to everyone!
Must Have Songs: Oh, where to start?! Grace is my favourite track on the album – it is such a good song, followed by In Liberty (Hallelujah), Living Rain and Take Over. For me there is not really a bad song on this record. Seriously.
Church Songs: Every song on this album is usable in the right setting. Come to the River is an excellent service starter, while Shout it Out and No Eye Has Seen would be fantastic for a youth event. Living Rain, Take Over, Come Before, Grace, In Liberty are all great worship songs and should suit most contemporary congregations.
CONNER BYRD – stick around here
Synopsis: This was my first “official” introduction to the Parachute Band, everything I’d heard in the past was not enough to grab my attention to digest a CD of theirs. Apparently the band’s gone through an entire lineup change and it sounds as if they are going after the youth groups. Their sound is tremendously full utilizing soaring modern delay-erific guitars, driving bass, synth/pads, and…well that’s the problem. The sound is great and full and recognizable like so are many of their contemporaries: the ever popular Hillsong United or Starfield. And therein lies the problem, while full sounding and great tone, I’m just curious if there’s enough to keep me interested. There’s such a resemblance to some of my already favorite bands that I worry that works against them. I’ve enjoyed settling into this CD but I wonder for how long?
Bottom Line: Great sound with some singable songs for youth groups however it may sound too much like your youth groups already favorite songs to be a worthwhile addition. Fantastic mix of soaring guitars and driven keyboards, lead vocal that will either interest you or drive you away, but a lack of background vocals. 3.5 out of 5.
Must have: I want to do Come Before! I love the Modest Mouse-ish Come to the River, the “delay-erific” tones on Take Over and then a tie between Grace and Everlasting.
Church Songs: The keys of these songs could be problematic but sound easy enough to drop. I’d say the most singable would be Your Word, Living Rain, and Come Before.
JOEL KLAMPERT – go to Klampert.com
Synopsis: I had heard about parachute band for many years, but for some reason I never picked up their CD’s until this one. This band is tight. They have a clean sound with some very cool 80’s sounding keys mixed with modern guitar driven worship. The production on this album is great although at times I think the lead vocals were a little too far behind in the mix.
I have listened to this CD many many times and actually did it in multiple locations and I’ll tell you why in the Bottom Line. Over all I think this CD deserves more in the worship community than it is getting. I just don’t hear in the worship community any buzz over this band, but maybe that needs to change.
Bottom Line: My first listen was in my car. Sadly I don’t remember the first or second listen in the car. Nothing stuck out. Sometimes however you need to focus on music an let it sink in. So realizing this I moved over to the i-pod. I figured I would give it one last go. I am glad I did. Alastair sent me messages that he was loving this CD and I just didn’t get it, but honestly this one took a few listens to get it.
Do I like every song on this CD. I can’t say that I do. There however some huge stand outs that make this CD something you need to check out.
“Living Rain” is a brilliant song and I could see using that one in the future. I think while thier fast stuff is fun thier strength is in their slower worship music. It is really powerful. The lead singer has a very different voice which is refreshing. That isn’t more apparent than on the track “Come Before”. Wow, what an anointed time of worship sitting hearing that one.
HA HA….It’s kind of funny because I am sitting here listening for the 5th time and it’s like I’ve never heard these songs, but so glad I am.
If I could make a suggestion for the next CD for these guys is to do a live one because you can hear the heart behind this and I would love to hear that outside of the studio version. Great stuff. “No Eye Has Seen” was a huge surprise. Reminded me of MATW meets REM. It was out of the box and I loved it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Must Haves: Grace, Come Before, Everlasting
In Church: Well you could pretty much do every song on this CD in one church or another. There are a few I’m not a fan of, but I will be looking at trying a few of these. Like….Grace, Come Before, Come to the River, Living Rain. I think those would be fantastic to do in Church. nice mix too. Two slow and two fast.
