Customer Reviews

Beyond What I See [Audio CD] According to John

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've owned this album for about five years, and I love it more every time I give it a listen. To reduce it to its singles is to greatly undervalue this album.

Songs such as "Heaven Forbid" (stronger, I'd argue, than the more popular "Song of Jabez") create a rally cry for those who feel that for whatever reason they're missing life - both the here-and-now moment and a deeper relationship with the God who created it. This message is complemented by lyrically deep and whimsical "Matter at Hand": "It's the matter at hand/It's a matter of truth/What's the matter with me/Is what's the matter with you/It's a matter of fact/It's a matter of sin/We need a savior."

A third or so of the album lies in the backdrop of the pure love. Songs such as "Cloud Nine" and "Worth The Wait" address the struggle and reward of consecrating sex for an oh-so-joyous marriage. And "She's In Love" - in a songwriting twist - narrates the marvelous catch 22 of finding a Godly wife: She's giving her heart to her husband, but God's already stolen the whole thing. ("What a beautiful smile/A radiant girl/Fell in love first time I saw her/She stays on my mind/And I'd give anything/To know everything about her/There's light in her eyes/And I know it's all for him/She carries on and on/Like he was her best friend.")

But don't think this album is oozing sap. This band won't let you get through their record without making it clear that they know how to play the guitar. Opener "God Thing" sets the stage with the flash-and-dash testimonial in the same vein as hits such as "Remedy" and from A2J's self-titled debut album, and "More Alive" provides an anthemic release after the ballad prayer "Song of Jabez". But the guitars get grittier and the lead work takes on several layers of effects-coated blues on "Confession," a candid and articulate prayer of repentance. The guitars on "Perfect World" battle through a caked-on dirtiness that sets listeners up for the knockout punch from the untitled bonus track (I'll call it "Bother Me"), which is guaranteed to leave every musician listener driven to lock the band in a studio with an effects-heavy Marshall stack - and absolutely no acoustic guitars.

What you'll find in an According to John album is a genuineness and rawness of lyrics acting in concert with well-orchestrated, unadulterated rock, a combination so rare in modern music - let alone in the "Christian" music industry. Do yourself a favor: Get your hands on "Beyond What I See".

I searched everywhere trying to find this cd. The cd was in perfect condition and arrived speedily! I am very pleased and would do this again.

Claire in PA

according to john are an amazing bands whith great tracks. the lyrics are awsome and music superb. this is an great album glorifying God a must for all christians who like modern music

I bought this CD because I really like the track: "Song Of Jabez". When I got the CD and listened to the other songs I was disappointed and honestly found that I didn't like any of the other songs. But for the price ($3), it was worth getting the one song I did want.