Big Surprise

The Elms | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B00005ICLK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,608 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something Old, Something New, and Words that are True, May 24, 2001

By 

"b3price" (Bluefield, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Surprise (Audio CD)

The first full release by The Elms is a great blend of classic pop and rock influences with fresh new energy and powerful lyrics. Owen Thomas, front man and songwriter, mixes catchy melodies and thoughtful observations in tunes that proclaim the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Using diverse musical styles and influences, The Big Surprise brings a welcome familiarity with a fresh sound that leaves you humming melodies while you ponder the words you find yourself singing. The guitar work is simple but strong and Owen's vocals are clear and powerful.

The songs "Lifeboat" and "Hey, Hey" are great radio tunes that will receive plenty of airplay on Christian radio stations, but the other eight songs on this album have a lot to offer. "The Buzzing Won't Stop" speaks to the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit while "Real Men Cry" reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ. While the music shows the maturity of a seasoned band, the members are all in their early twenties, and they will only get better.

I don't buy an album without at least five or six strong songs, and I have already purchased The Big Surprise--without disappointment. This is a band to watch and an album to own!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock On!, May 22, 2002

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Big Surprise (Audio CD)

The Church is engaged in a mortal war, but instead of going on the offensive we have retreated into our protective ghettoes. Here, we have become lazy, unproductive, and mediocre. The majority of Christian bands and singers sing songs that sound the same, lack musical depth, have no imagination (God forbid we use that gift), and as a result mean very little even in the enternal realm. This has become the norm and nowadays most people associate bad music with Christianity. Fortunately, there are some bands and artists that not only use their musical gifts to sing ABOUT God, but are using them FOR God as well.

The Elms are such a band. THE BIG SURPRISE is their first major album and it is a blast to listen to it. The band has a style that is clearly influenced by classic American and British rock (The Beatles, Herman's Hermits, Buddy Holly), but with a spiritual edge. The group sings about the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the trials and temptations of life; but never in a preachy, sing-songy way. The music is REAL and so are the lyrics. This is music that could be played on "secular" radio without causing much of a stir. This is worship in it's best form.

Some of my favorite songs include:

"Hey, Hey"

"Lifeboat"

"You're Glowing"

"Real Men Cry"

We sang "Lifeboat" at a churchcamp I worked at as a worship song and it rocked! It was one of the most memorable songs we sang all summer. Not many people have heard of The Elms, but they are a band worth taking time to check out. Great album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Big Surprise!!!, June 18, 2003

By 

Alan Attebery (Arlington, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Surprise (Audio CD)

I had never heard of The Elms before I happen to see their video on WOW 2002 Videos. I quickly became addicted to their catchy video/tune "Hey, Hey" and couldn't help but watch it over and over again. Eventually I looked them up on the Internet, and quickly went out and bought both of their albums.

"Big Surprise" is the first major release by an up-and-coming rock group who should one day blow the tops off of the charts. In addition to the Beatles throwback song mentioned in the above paragraph, the group does well with the ballads "Here's My Hand" and the title track "The Big Surprise." "A Minute To Ourselves" has a great rock sound, and "Real Men Cry" will show you that the groups heart is firmly planted in the Lord.

If you have never heard of this group before, do yourself a favor and listen to some of the songs available for preview. You'll be clammoring for your own copy after that.