Review

Once upon a time, there was a rock band that gave up on being the next big thing in the Christian Alternative marketplace. They turned their backs on the typically ambiguous nature of most modern rock lyrics and decided to record some of the most refreshingly stark, outspoken and celebratory rock worship CD's ever recorded, during a time when no one else was really sure what 'Gen X Worship' was supposed to sound like. This is not that band. Well, in a way, yes, this is that band. This band shares a name with that band. They're both named Sonic Flood. But, along the road from those humble beginnings to this sophomore release, they've undergone a complete change of band members and jumped over to a new record label and distributor.

Without getting bogged down in exactly how this transformation actually occurred, let's just focus on the merits of Sonic Flood's 'Resonate'. It's always difficult for any band to live up to the first impression created on their debut recording. You know what they say about first impressions? Well, it's true. People will always judge the rest of your music based on how it compares to the first CD. They call it the 'sophomore slump' and this new version of Sonic Flood must face the additional scrutiny of those who will judge the entire band as compared to the first lineup.

Where do we begin? How about the beginning? Like the first recording, the music jumps out at you, grabs your attention, surprises you with its silent moments and rocks you upside the head when you least expect it. 'Resonate' doesn't blaze any trails or set any standards, but that's only because the first Cd did all that a few years ago. What this album does do is further refine the Sonic Flood sound into the new millenium.

Avoiding any formulaic attempts to impersonate their predecessors, the new Sonic Flood kicks off their disc with 'Lord Of The Dance', a tune that infuses an electronica- inspired keyboard with a hooky guitar and melds the musical alloy into a virtual symbiosis of rhythm and rock that takes Kevin Prosch's song to places you never dreamed it could go. In fact, this is really where the band shines. Taking a fistful of familiar songs like 'I Lift My Eyes Up', 'Fuel', and 'Holy And Anointed One' and impeccably blending them into songs that could play on Modern Rock Radio is something that not many bands can pull off with any credibility. Sonic Flood does.

But, this isn't just a cover band. Sonic Flood also unveil five original songs on 'Resonate' that showcase the band's talent as well as their indisputable love of worship. 'In Your Hands' is one of the band's best pop-alternative songs here. With lyrics like, 'Sometimes my prayers seem so empty/ And your voice seems so far away/ But in my pain I see you're molding me/ You are potter, I'm the clay/ In your hands, for every storm there's a reason/ In your hands, there's a time for every season/ Though my tears may fall/ You hold me close/ And love me through it all' this band declares its dependence upon Christ without sounding pedestrian or trite.

Certainly, fans of Sonic Flood will have already snatched up this second studio release long before my review hits the 'Net, but for those of us who are simply looking for fresh new worship songs to inspire an ongoing relationship of praise with our creator, 'Resonate' more than fits the bill.

Review by Keith Giles