Customer Reviews

A Collision

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow! This CD is absolutely phenomenal. It is astounding. It radiates depth with its recurrent and overlapping layers of musical and spiritual penetration to the heart of our spirit. DC*B takes it to another level. I thought that Illuminate would be hard to top, but this album blows it away in it's stretching of the boundaries of modern worship and just plain stretches the boundaries of music! This is the best CD of the year and I wonder if it can be topped by Crowder next time? We'll have to wait and see. Below see summaries of the parts:

Part A: This part is the natural progression from Illuminate and is in the safe zone. "Wholly Yours" is a beautiful worship song with a great contrast between the words "holy" and "wholly". "Foreverandever, etc" sounds somewhat like "No One Like You" and is an instant favorite (and stays in your head!).

Part B: Takes it to the next level with "A Beautiful Collision" as DC*B mixes in more layers of loops, programming, guitars, piano and other instruments to create an incredibly full sound. The lyrical depth is also amazing. Then in the middle Crowder reminds you that their band is from Texas by busting out some bluegrass and country stylings!

Part C: Is the highlight of the album. "Do Not Move" is the most amazing song I have heard. The future of modern worship is this. Amazing depth of lyrics, yet with simple words. Then "Come Awake" comes and it is so powerful! And you think it can't be topped and "You are My Joy" bursts on the scene with it's minor key start but burst into a soaring melody and chorus which really symbolizes how joy comes even in the midst of sorrow. Incredible song. Part C keeps going with an old hymn that starts with a acoustic riff that will remind many of "Heaven Came Down" and then again soars to the chorus of "Our Happy Home."

Part D: Finishes it off well. "Rescue is Coming" is another soaring ballad with crescendo at the end and fades out. The conversation track is interesting the first time but could be skipped later. Typical DC*B humor. The last song is really about their not being an ending. It seems to portray that we not only sing with their songs but our song comes from our hearts and goes on and on to our Savior!!!

This album was not made to please the "pop" mass but the creativity and intricate weaving of instrument and prose is a beautiful expression of worship to the One who created us to be creative, our God! Thanks DC*B for allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire you to create this masterpiece! (P.S. you gotta get this CD!)

I have read both of the other reveiws and agree with both that David Crowder*Band is one of the most prominent voices in Christian music and in the realm of "worship leading" he is among the top of the list when it comes to national-level artists. But this is where I will part ways with the other reviewers to this point.

I want to set the record straight... I am not a "yes man". I only say something is "good" if it really is good. If it is only "good" I am not one to say it is "great"!!!

That being said... I think Collision is FANTASTIC. Yes... it is a little "darker"... and has some more drive to it... but if you just sit and listen to it... and listen to the words... it is wierd... in a way that is so amazing. There is a Freedom in how Crowder is teaching really SOLID BIBLICAL TRUTH! There are so many different things going on... i think the 42 second interludes are places for my brain to catch up with the experience of the music. Crowder is bringing a musicallity and renewal to the stagnant "christian contemporary music" scene that is sorely needed! He, along with other leader worshippers (Tomlin, Redman, Shane & Shane, United, etc.) are bringing a "breath of fresh air" to the world of Christian Music.

I won't lie to you... it is kinda "wierd"... but if you just sit and listen... and ask... it will blow you away! Just give it a spin!

I agree with a previous review that these interludes and odd "snippets" of sound are all part of how DC*Band crafted "A Collision" as an album as a whole, rather than 10 disparate songs their producer felt was the best they could come up with in the studio. In an age where people focus on downloading songs for a buck...there is something lost in the crafting of an entire album. It's a bit akin to focusing on a whole book rather than a singled out chapter.

Given this framework to tell their story, David Crowder*Band are able to delve deeper into their material and their message than a single song could do on its own. By the same token, standout tracks like "Here is our King" or "Do Not Move" have all the much more depth, as they also reflect, through association, the other songs before and after them.

Maybe I'm getting too deep here out in left field, but I strongly feel this is David Crowder*Band's best work to date, and this band is truly one of the most innovative artists in rock today...not Christian rock, but rock music in its entirety.

We've all got to give David Crowder Band props: they hit the #2 spot on iTunes' most sold albums. That means that they whooped Green Day, Nickelback, and even Ashley Simpson. That's an amazing feat for a full-blown worship album. David Crowder Band is known for innovative, creative, and passionate worship music and this album is no different.


Musically
+ From solemn piano driven worship ballads to knee slapping bluegrass, this album offers much in the diversity department. Organic guitars and the electronic beats collide (no pun intended) to make a rich and textured album. This project is abundant in joyful energy- if you're not smiling by the end of song 10, you had better check your pulse.

- None


Spiritually
+ DCB never disappoints when it comes to thoughtful worship music. More than your standard 7x11 (seven words, eleven times) format, these songs reach for a deeper understanding of God and our position before Him.

- None

Highlights: Here is Our King, Foreverandever Ect., I Saw the Light, You Are My Joy

One Word: Joyful

***For more reviews like this one visit- http://www.warzoneministries.com***

I have liked DCB for a while and this album awe inspiring. There are a couple of songs that you will love on the first play. Play the entire album a couple of times and you will fall in love with the whole thing. I all fits together in a strange way even the bluegrass.

The deep lyrics are there. The interesting gutar and drum parts will draw you in.

Also if you get a chance go see DCB. I went last week and was truely in awe. Not only was it a good concert but it really was god honoring. DC is a good showman but even more he seems to really love God. He also has really unusual hair.

I saw The David Crowder Band last tour.. I had no clue about them or their music. My 13 y/o son was at the concert with me at the time and like me had no clue about the band.. We just got these free tickets in the 6th row and decided to check it out.. Both my son and I fell in love with them.. We've been rocking out to the Illuminate cd for the past year anxiously awaiting the "A Collision" cd. Finally we got it and my son took it on his church trip and I had it in my truck. When he got back we compared notes.. I would say I love this song and he would say me too and then he would turn it to a song and we would both laugh that every song was our favorite!!!.. Even the interludes.. The album wouldn't be complete without them. It is an excellent worship album and I find my heart stirring and tears fill my eyes with this powerful and "heavenly" music.

Yes! The album of the year is finally in stores. It's get everything you could want. Inspired worship songs, nonsense conversation, trippy dance loops, great production, imaginative songwriting and...yes...a hoedown with Marty Stuart! Need I say more?

As Elvis Costello says, "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." So, rather than hear me tell you how cool the album is just listen to some clips and see if your not wowed.

PS At the time of this post Amazon didn't have any samples to hear. Hopefully they'll get some up soon.

PSS So, go ahead, listen to your Kenny G. or Jim Brickman or Yanni or whoever. At least you know exactly what you'll get: MORE OF THE SAME. Untrained monkeys are more creative. Heck, the mold in the glass next to my computer is more creative.

If I had one CD to buy this year it would be this.
Five stars:*****

I spent a lot of time waiting to review this newest offering from the the David Crowder Band, because I wanted to make sure that I gave it enough time to let the hype die and the music set in.

For those who have been following Crowder's work like I have, I truly believe that you will be blown away by how much this band has truly grown. After listening to it all the way through for the first time I found myself wanting to go back and listen with the kind of intensity a student would read a great work.

The opening of the album starts with an almost "O Brother Where Art Thou" feel to it, until it immediately shifts into a clip of "the lark ascending" by Vaughn Williams. And it's from there that Crowder takes you through what is meant to be an entire thought process, instead of you're average skip to your favorite track CD.

This Album is the kind of total package that Pink Floyd's Dark side of the moon brings (one example that seems almost Floyd inspired would be the track "alarm" that intro's with a quiet alarm buzzer going off). Fine individually, but really meant to be enjoyed as a whole.

But please don't worry those of you who are fans of "Illuminate." Crowder and the boys don't drift too far with the excellent and bound for your church's praise team "Wholly Yours."
He also brings on a great collection of driving fun songs with tracks like "foreverandever Etc." and "Beautiful Collision."

Many years ago, when the band was still playing at DC/LA I emailed one the guitarists of the band and asked him what the purpose of being a Christian musician. He answered me within the day (a courtesy I'll not soon forget) with "My purpose is to aspire closer to my God and to develop the craft that He has given for His purposes."

This album is certainly a piece of brilliance and a great step for this group of artists who are in pursuit of the heart of their God.

May you think of our God and "wake up" as the band calls out and think only of our God's glory.

This is a must have.

I grew up listening to secular music like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and other classic rock artists. On the Contemporary Christian front David Crowder and Band have put together a classic album (yes album, as in you want all the interludes because it is one full set). The sum of the parts like "Dark Side of the Moon" creates something greater. Whether you are Christian or not is irrelevant, this is a classic. It is one of those CD's that stay in your player for months. Also, see the band! I saw them in 2002 with Chris Tomlin and they are infinitely better than any studio can capture.

If you are "into" Christian music, this classic should be the perfect companion to Charlie Hall's "On the Road to Beautiful" another completely amazing album.

This CD made me smile from the moment I played it. All of the songs on "A Collision" are powerful, encouraging, and inspiring. You will love this CD if you "get" what David Crowder talks about in his search to find the words to bring God the glory. I think he got them in this CD... you'll want this- it doesn't grow old.