Review

David Crowder Band has written and recorded an absolute gem. "A Collision" takes so many chances on so many levels; musically, lyrically and worshipfully, and is a clear winner all around.

The record company blurb says this album "seamlessly weaves together various styles" and it couldn't be truer. In all, 20 tracks with music, and one track featuring an incredibly bad interview. You get alternative, anthem, retro 60s pop, mood and, gratefully, old-timey bluegrass! I'm not kidding, when you get to "I Saw the Light" you're gonna flip, it's so good.

The CD is broken up into four parts, and, at first, it kind of reminded me of a concept album, circa early 70's. Having said that, I'm not exactly sure what the concept is... but just like anything I don't understand, I have to figure that the meaning is clear, I just need to look at it some more.

Musically, like I say, this album touches on a lot of styles. But lyrically, I think 'stream of consciousness', Kevin Prosch 'rhyming with the rhythm' type of writing. If you were to just check out the lyrics, without any music, you'd be hard pressed to hear a song emerge. And yet, when the music is combined with the words, it flows as well as any perfect word rhyme. I see this album as a fabulous personal worship album, or a 'driving in the car, volume that goes to eleven' type of album. There will be one or two songs that will find their way into corporate worship services, but it's really not a congregational album.

That is, except "I Saw the Light". This sonic delight actually begins about halfway through the preceding song, "Be Lifted or Hope Rising". That song has got this low thumping bass, mournful vocals and distorted guitars for a few minutes. And then it fades into a banjo and fiddle hoedown. In the tradition of "O Brother Where Art Thou", it's the old timey music. As that song fades away, you need to turn the volume WAY up, otherwise you'll miss the spoken word intro to "I Saw the Light". You're just going to want to move to Tennessee, back up in the hills, and listen to this stuff ever' day and twice on Sundays!

Nevertheless, the strength of this album does not reside in novelty (and I'm NOT saying that bluegrass is novelty, just that you can't view this as a fun little album that makes you go "yeehaw"). In the end, an artist will be judged by how well they are able to take what dwells inside them and communicate it to others. Has the band done it? I'll say this... you'll enjoy this album immediately, but it will take some work on your part to understand it. You'll need to read the liner notes; you'll probably want to do some research on-line. I find Crowder to be very eloquent and thoughtful (especially with the written word) and willing to give clues to what he's feeling. Look for them.

More about the songs: "Come and Listen" is a simple, calm bidding to hear what Jesus has done, arguably the most effective evangelism on the planet. "Here Is Our King" is as majestic as the title implies. "Wholly Yours" continues and cleverly cries to our Holy God that we want to be wholly His. One of my favorite songs is "Foreverandever etc..." This is a blast off kind of song, and lift off is incredible. All these songs come in Part A of the album.

Another of my favorite songs is "You Are My Joy". "And He set me on fire, and I am burning alive. With his breath in my lungs I am coming undone. And I cannot hold it in and remain composed. Love's taken over me and so I propose the letting myself go. I am letting myself go". "You are my joy, You are my joy, You are my joy... I need to catch my breath. I need to."

That's a great example of the kind of lyricism you'll find here. It is descriptive, yet without music behind it, only half the message. The song absolutely soars and must be heard to be understood.

A classic moment on the recording is an interview that precedes the last song. I don't know for sure, but I've got to think this is an object lesson in how NOT to be prepared for an interview (on the interviewers part). I think you'll find it quite entertaining.

The David Crowder Band now has five (or six) albums, and this one is, to me, by far, the strongest in terms of concept and musicianship. Enjoy!

Review by: John Ausmus