Reviews Archives

Oceans Above - Oceans Above

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Oceans Above Album: Oceans Above Label: Sparrow Records Release Date: April 24, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettesson Tracklist: 1. Beautiful One 2. O Praise Him (All This for a King) 3. Gazing 4. Rain Down 5. Filled with Your Glory 6. Blessed Be Your Name 7. God of Wonders 8. In Christ Alone 9. Love Break Me 10. Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful 11. Everything about You 12. Forever 13. We Fall Down 14. You and I 15. Jesus’ Blood “Holy faith! Why didn’t I hear about this thing before?”… Continued →

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II (Fire and Water)

By Wilhelm in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Thrice Album: The Alchemy Index: Vols I & II (Fire and Water) Label: Vagrant Records Release Date: October 16, 2007 Review By: Wilhelm Tracklist: Fire EP 1. Firebreather 2. The Messenger 3. Backdraft 4. The Arsonist 5. Burn the Fleet 6. The Flame Deluge Water EP 1. Digital Sea 2. Open Water 3. Lost Continent 4. Night Diving 5. The Whaler 6. Kings Upon the Main The newest release from Thrice, The Alchemy Index Vols. 1&2: Fire and Water, is a beautiful work of musicianship and artistic flare that most any music enthusiast could appreciate. … Continued →

Mahteo - The NuWave Republic

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Mahteo Album: The NuWave Republic Label: Scotoma Artist Co-op Release Date: August 14, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Lucky 2. Montreal 3. To Manifest like Breath 4. Ahi Te Encontrare 5. New Love The fact that the 80s are still trying to live on is, in my opinion, a rather confusing thing. At times it can be entirely thrilling, and at others it can be downright horrifying. Take the example of 80s cartoon shows being turned into modern movies. You’ve got TMNT, Transformers, The Incredible Hulk, and so forth.… Continued →

The Glorious Unseen- "Tonight the Stars Speak"

By Cory in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: The Glorious Unseen Album: Tonight the Stars Speak Record Label: Tooth and Nail Records/ BEC Recordings Release Date: October 23, 2007 Reviewed by: Cory Track List 1. Hear Our Prayers 2. Forever Holy 3. Meet Us Here 4. Tonight the Stars Speak 5. Wrapped Up in You 6. Oh Praise Him 7. Where Your Glory Dwells 8. Embracing the Call 9. Burn in Me 10. Close to Your Heart I’ve probably waited for this album release for a good year and a half now. Ever since The Glorious Unseen was first introduced to us at IVM, I’ve been stoked for an album to come out.… Continued →

Long Live Logos - Mundus Vulti Decipi...

By The Headless Horseman in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Long Live Logos Album: Mundus Vulti Decipi… Label: Pacific Records Buy: IVM Store 1. Walk 2. The Darkness When I Close My Eyes (The Light When I Open Them) 3. Come On, Come On 4. Dark World 5. You Never Say What I Want To Hear 6. Hey Jesus 7. Grace 8. The Science of Blushing 9. Enough Said 10. All I Need “The word “logos” in Greek has an extraordinary range of meanings — the heart of which is both “meaning” and “reckoning”. Hence, it may refer to a “word” or a “thought” or a spoken phrase or an idea or that which conveys something which, to the hearer, is meaningful and, thus, can move them.… Continued →

Palaris - The Pros and Cons of Redemption

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Palaris Album: The Pros and Cons of Redemption Label: Blue Duck Records Release Date: August 21, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Long Walk Home 2. Thinking to Listen 3. Sandboxes and Sailboats 4. Iscariot 5. Masquerade 6. Ghost 7. Blindness for Belief 8. Time to Kiss the Ground 9. To Cameron, from Taylor 10. Life as a Game Palaris are, at this stage in their career, one of those bands that I could see as an opening act and absolutely love. It’s happened to all of us with any number of bands, and while I only have this CD to go by, I am convinced that Palaris would be the same, had I seen them live.… Continued →

Falling Up- "Captiva"

By Nate IVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Falling Up Album Title: Captiva Label: Tooth and Nail Records Release Date: 10/02/07 Review by: Nate 1. A Guide To Marine Life 2. Hotel Aquarium 3. Goodnight Gravity 4. Captiva 5. Helicopters 6. Maps 7. How They Made Cameras 8. Good Morning Planetarium 9. Murexa 10. Drago or The Dragons 11. Arc To Archtilles 12. The Dark Side Of Indoor Track Meets Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Summary: Here is a short and sweet review of what I think is one of the catchiest CD of the year.… Continued →

Soul-Junk - 1959

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Soul-Junk Album: 1959 Label: Quiver Society Release Date: April 15, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Psalm 1 2. Psalm 2 …you get the idea… 22. Psalm 22 23. Psalm 23 By a show of hands, who knew that Soul-Junk still existed? Apparently, this project has been around for a long time and is still going strong. Soul-Junk is arguably best known for 1956, which was released on 5 Minute Walk Records (Five Iron Frenzy, The W’s, Philmore). From that album came the song “Ill-m-I,” which Toby Mac covered on his second solo record, Diverse City.… Continued →

Emery- "I'm Only A Man"

By Nate IVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Emery Album Title: I’m Only A Man Label: Tooth and Nail Records Release Date: 10/02/07 Review by: Nate

Rock-N-Rule
The Party Song
World Away
After The Devil Beats His Wife
Can’t Stop The Killer
Story About A Man With A Bad Heart
Don’t Bore Us, Get To The Chorus
What Makes A Man A Man
The Movie Song
You Think You’re Nickel Slick (But I Got Your Penny Change)
From Crib To Coffin

Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Summary: A legacy “Tooth and Nail legacy” is what some would call Emery.… Continued →

Spoken - Spoken

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Spoken Album: Spoken Label: Tooth & Nail Records Release Date: September 25, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. History Erased 2. Close Your Eyes 3. Not Soon Forgotten 4. Trading in This Troubled Heart 5. You’re the One 6. Brought to Life 7. Love Live the Dream 8. Start the Revolution 9. The Meaning of… 10. When Hope Is All You Have 11. The Answer Screamo is, for the most part, dead. The fad has moved on, and trendy kids have gone their separate ways to pollute other genres.… Continued →

Pilgrims - The Joy of Sales Resistance

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Pilgrims Album: The Joy of Sales Resistance Label: Quiver Society Release Date: August 1, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Theme Song 2. My Love 3. Martin (Violence Oh Violence, I Don’t See You, You’re Not in My Backyard) 4. It’s Easy to Fear What’s Far Off and Ignore Injustice across the Street 5. We Have Forgotten How to Practice Love When We Don’t Feel It After doing my typical background research for a review, I wished I had been around for (or paid more attention to) the early days of Solid State.… Continued →

Finchley - Walking with Angels EP

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Finchley Album: Walking with Angels EP Label: None Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Walking with Angels 2. Prodigal 3. In the Wind 4. Struggle On Having led the rock band Supervision for a few years, Ian Finch recently decided it was time to go solo. Coming from Liverpool, this is a man in good musical company. His songs are relaxing, even at their climaxes. Acoustic and soft electric guitars are blended together for a radio-ready feel that maintains indie accessibility. Finchley’s voice smoothly brings it together, and the piano laces work well to complete the sound.… Continued →

The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: The Rocket Summer Album: Do You Feel Label: Island Records/ The Militia Group Release Date: July 17, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Break It Out 2. So Much Love 3. Do You Feel 4. Save 5. All I Have 6. High Life Scenery 7. A Song Is Not a Business Plan 8. Taken Aback 9. Colors 10. Run to You 11. Hold It Up 12. Waiting 13. So, In This Hour… These days it seems the early artists on The Militia Group are all growing up… sort of.… Continued →

August Burns Red- "Messengers"

By Nate IVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: August Burns Red Album Title: Messengers Label: Solid State Records Release Date: June 19th, 2007 Review by: Nate 1. Truth of a Liar 2. Against The Ropes 3. Back Burner 4. The Blinding Light 5. Composure 6. Vital Signs 7. The Eleventh Hour 8. The Balance 9. Black Sheep 10. An American Dream 11. Redemption Rating: Summary: Brutal? Why yes; I have some of that music for you. Just thrown on some of the newest CD from August Burns Red and you might understand the full meaning of brutal.… Continued →

As Cities Burn, "Come Now Sleep"

By Levi G in Reviews | Comments closed

Tracklist: 1. Contact 2. Empire 3. The Hoard 4. This Is It, This Is It 5. Clouds 6. New Sun 7. Tides 8. Wrong Body 9. Our World Is Grey 10. Timothy “Hearts aren’t really our guides, we are truly alone, cause God ain’t up in the sky holding together our bones.” Not what you might expect to hear from a band performing at Christian festivals and discussing God in their lyrics, but those are the very first words sung on As Cities Burn’s sophomore release on Solid State Records, “Come Now Sleep.”… Continued →

Lórien - The Ghost in the Parlor

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Lórien Album: The Ghost in the Parlor Label: None (released independently) Release Date: Fall 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Praise the Stage and Love Only the Saved 2. You Got Me Down 3. A Dove amongst the Crows 4. Empty Words 5. Singing Isn’t Music 6. Shallow End Lórien? Is that European?… hmm, a quick Google search and, oh no. No, it’s something from J.R.R. Tolkien. Of course. Maybe this was their name’s inspiration, maybe not. Either way, hopefully this record isn’t quite as drawn-out action adventure as those films were.… Continued →

Everett - Destination EP

By The Headless Horseman in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Everett Album: Destination EP Label: Wooden Oxen 1. The Crown 2. Lay Down Your Arms 3. LaGuardia 4. The Anchor Dallas Taylor. One of the more revered names out of the class of “Recent Christian Heavy Music Frontmen.” Taylor fronted Underoath to a Solid State Records deal and one of the earliest Christian hardcore/new-wave emo records, The Changing Of Times, which paved the way for bands like Cry Of The Afflicted, Dead Poetic, and post-Dallas Taylor Underoath. After departing on somewhat uncertain terms, Taylor formed Southern rock band Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.… Continued →

I Am Not I Am - Dear God, We Must Return Fire

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: I Am Not I Am Album: Dear God, We Must Return Fire Label: Tenfold Records Release Date: April 3, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. How the North Finally Won the Civil War 2. The Real Reason the South Lost the Civil War 3. The District 4. We Want Our Ashes Spread in Jersey 5. Vocabularies When Moses talked to God through the burning bush and asked whom he should tell the Israelites had sent him, God replied, “I AM.” With that in mind, “I Am Not I Am” is a poetic form of humility: “I Am Not Yahweh.”… Continued →

Amen. The Animal - Pray Now Destroyer

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Aritst: Amen. The Animal Album: Pray Now Destroyer Label: Tenfold Records Release Date: November 21, 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Carlisle 2. The Sunrise 3. Open Sky 4. Southern Night Visions of War 5. Forget That Boy 6. The Name of the Game Is… As the CD opens with a launching scream of “Where did you go,” two thoughts come to mind. One, this band obviously likes He Is Legend (See: “The Seduction”). Two, they know how to wrap the heavy around the melodic.… Continued →

Purple Door 2007: Festival Review

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Purple Door 2007 August 17-18 Ski Roundtop, Lewisberry, PA Festival Review By Eric Pettersson The Purple Door festival this past weekend was, like every other year, unlike any other year. Beginning with Friday night, highlights included the second of the Mono Vs. Stereo New Band Showcase, The Apathy Eulogy. TAE is a five-piece acoustic band with a synth out of Baltimore, Maryland. Their fun sing-alongs (as well as keyboardist Mitch Ryan’s dance moves) have only improved from the last time I saw them. Immediately following, I ran over to the Main Stage to catch The Showdown beginning their set with “Temptation Come My Way.”… Continued →

Death Is Not Welcome Here - Freedom for the Broken

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Death Is Not Welcome Here Album: Freedom for the Broken Label: None Release Date: May 20, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Until the Last 2. Freedom for the Broken 3. Heaven Is Almost Here 4. Facing Today 5. Our Time Is Now “I am living proof that we are all in need,” croons out vocalist Stevo, with a lingering hint of a British accent. Teamed up with the rest of Death Is Not Welcome Here, soaring dual harmonized vocals lead this quartet into better written and more cohesive material, and less generic lyrics, but certainly keeping the same great message.… Continued →

Fixed til Tuesday (I Am Terrified) - Aww Son EP

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Fixed til Tuesday (now known as I Am Terrified) Album: Aww Son Label: None (Independently Released) Release Date: 2006 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Hul Kogan’s Seven Second Apocalypse 2. O’ How Constant 3. May Kills the Calendar 4. Red Basket Club 5. And Souls Sing These are the moments that I love writing for Indie Vision Music. Sometimes a CD will be sent my way, and I can scarcely think of a thing to say about, let alone a reason to listen to more than the first three tracks before taking it out of my player and throwing it into the woods, hoping to forget its memory forever (yes, there have been albums that have made me want to do this).… Continued →

The Send- "Cosmos"

By Nate IVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: The Send Album Title: Cosmos Label: Tooth and Nail Records Release Date: 7/31/07 Review by: Nate

Need
Fairweather
An Epiphany
Blocking The Sun
Begin
The Fall
Drown
Santiam
The Science Of The Sky
Dawn And Dusk
Say
Fire Colors
In Repose

Rating: Summary: Not too long ago, Joseph Kisselburgh left his first band that led him to “Christian music fame.” He said goodbye to Falling Up and hello to The Send. His new project is something close to heart, seeing how he has been wanting to do this for a while.… Continued →

Fairweather Fan - The Ghost of Honesty

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Fairweather Fan Album: The Ghost of Honesty Label: Wounded Records Release Date: April 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Better Way to Make Mistakes 2. I Can Carry You 3. Dress Rehearsal 4. Of Life 5. What I Wouldn’t Give 6. Second Chance Summer 7. Watch Out for Strangers 8. Meaning of Haste 9. Unpleasant Forecast 10. The Ghost of Honesty In all honesty, the first few listens of this disc were not impressive. Another young band with semi-decent melodies and a desire to be catchy.… Continued →

Mxpx "Secret Weapon"

By Brandon J. in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Mxpx Album: “Secret Weapon” Label: Tooth & Nail Records Release Date: 7-17-07 Reviewing any Mxpx record is always a difficult task for me. You see they’ve become an American staple, a band of longetivity and band I’ve been listening to since High School. Each album that releases and passes is a favorite of mine (well minus Before and Everything After which was a critical letdown) and an album that withstands the abuse my cd player inflicts upon it. This new one, “Secret Weapon” is no exception.… Continued →

Dizmas - Tension

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Dizmas Album: Tension Label: Credential Recordings Release Date: May 22, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Jealousy Hurts 2. Shake It Off 3. Play It Safe 4. If You Love Someone 5. See Daylight 6. Dance 7. This Is a Warning 8. The Voice Is Ghostly 9. Nothing at All 10. October 11. Until You Rescued Me 12. Sun Starting off with the same intensity, passion, and melodic ingenuity as their debut, On a Search in America, Dizmas tried a new approach for their second punch.… Continued →

Jeff Deyo - Unveil

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Jeff Deyo Album: Unveil Label: Indelible Creative Group Release Date: May 22, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Glory Rain Down 2. So in Awe 3. I’ll Forever Love Your Name 4. Unveil 5. Glory 6. Falling Down Like Rain 7. More in Love 8. Love of God 9. Nothing on Earth 10. You Are God 11. Fall on Me The other day I had a conversation in the car while listening to this album, when my friend commented that it must be hard to review a “worship CD,” because there’s this whole other category of things to look for.… Continued →

Everyday Sunday - Wake Up! Wake Up!

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Everyday Sunday Album: Wake Up! Wake Up! Label: Inpop Records Release Date: May 22, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Let’s Go Back 2. Wake Up! Wake Up! 3. Take Me Out 4. Find Me Tonight 5. Apathy for Apologies 6. I’ll Get over It (Miss Elaineous) 7. What We’re Here For 8. Now You’re Gone 9. Tell Me You’ll Be There 10. From Me to You Joining the Flicker Records roster in 2002, Everyday Sunday released the instant hit, Stand Up. Videos for “Lose It Again” and “Wait” could be seen frequently on Christian rock video programs such as TVU, and the buzz was flying.… Continued →

Building 429 - Iris to Iris

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Building 429 Album: Iris to Iris Label: Word Records Release Date: May 1, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Power of Your Name 2. Majesty 3. Singing over Me 4. You Carried Me 5. Amazed 6. Incredible 7. Waiting to Shine 8. Taken 9. New Season 10. Constant 11. Grace That Is Greater Iris: it’s the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil. So to say “Iris to iris” is like getting even closer than just “eye to eye.” And that’s what Building 429 has focused their third and latest release on: seeing eye to eye with God in a closer way.… Continued →

Project 86- "Rival Factions"

By Nate IVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Project 86 Album Title: Rival Factions Label: Tooth and Nail Release Date: 6/19/07 Review by: Nate

1. Evil (A Chorus Of Resistance) 2. Put Your Lips To The TV 3. The Forces Of Radio Have Dropped A Viper Into The Rhythm Section 4. Molotov 5. Slaves To Liberty 6. Pull Me Closer, Violent Dancer 7. Illuminate 8. The Sanctuary Hum 9. Caveman Jam 10. Normandy

Summary of me: First of all, this is my first review on IVM so please bear with my opinions. I have been listening to Christian music for years and years… and it means crap when it comes to review.… Continued →

Reviews

October 31, 2007

October 30, 2007

October 29, 2007

October 24, 2007

October 19, 2007

October 17, 2007

October 16, 2007

September 26, 2007

September 24, 2007

September 19, 2007

September 13, 2007

September 12, 2007

September 11, 2007

September 4, 2007

September 2, 2007

August 27, 2007

August 20, 2007

August 10, 2007

August 8, 2007

August 6, 2007

August 2, 2007

July 25, 2007

July 23, 2007

July 8, 2007

June 27, 2007

June 24, 2007

June 18, 2007