Customer Reviews

Different Kind of Free

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ever since their debut release, "ZOEgirl", in 2000, I've been a true fan of ZOEgirl. Their sound has certainly changed and matured over the last three years, and through every change, ZOEgirl just gets better and better!
With their latest release, "Different Kind of FREE", they've really taken it "up a notch" with their music. Compared to their debut release, they're current sound is nothing but excellent!

Many people have favorites, but for me, this album is nothing but favorites! I can't choose a song that I appreciate more than the other! Alisa, Kristin, and Chrissy are certainly great songwriters, and they're GREAT as a group. Most singers/groups drive themselves into the music industry because they want to be famous, and their lucky they sound good, but ZOEgirl.... gosh, this group KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
The songs that struck me immediately was "Inside Out", "Wait", "She", and the title track. Really, all the songs are great, but these three were the first to strike me as favorites. :)
Here's some more information on the album's tracks:

"Beautiful Name" - 2.5/5.0
The first track on the album. 'Beautiful Name' talks about living for God, 'for the sake of His Beautiful Name', as the song says. :) It's got a pint of rock, if you appreciate rock, but overall, this song is pretty good.

"You Get Me" - 4.0/5.0
Written by Chrissy, this song is ZOEgirl's current single! 'You Get Me' is definitely a treasure to add to the album. It's about feeling alone, but finally understanding that God is the Only One who understands you. One of my personal favorites. (Yes, and for you rock fans, this song has some rock in it as well!)

"Inside Out" - 5.0/5.0
The third song on the album - definitely a great song! I still don't know why they included the high pitched voice at the beginning, singing "Ask me, ask me", but it does get your attention. lol The song's about rearranging yourself from the 'inside out'. Very well put together.

"Love Me For Me" - 4.0/5.0
A sweet song that Kristin wrote, 'Love Me For Me' is a nice addition to "Different Kind of Free". Sort of a story, a drama. Nice melody.

"Unbroken" - 3.0/5.0
The fifth song on the CD. Starting off with some great guitar, this song is all about being 'unbroken'. Not really a favorite, but still a nice song. :)

"Wait" - 5.0/5.0
This is a great song! It's about not fighting back - waiting for God to take care of it. I love the chorus in this song. The girls sing it really well. =)

"Feel Alright" - 2.5/5.0
Not really a favorite of mine, but still a nice song, 'Feel Alright' talks about today's culture. From people "selling antiques like they are new ideas", to "celebrities and supersitions", and doing "whatever it takes to get some recognition".

"She" - 4.5/5.0
"She" tells a story about a girl who made some bad decisons with a boy and everybody neglects her. It's a really hauntng song - but well written. I like it.

"Contagious" - 2.0/5.0
A very upbeat song, but not a favorite. I don't know why, but I just don't like this song. I don't like how they mixed it. It feels like it's missing something. But it's still okay.

"Different Kind of FREE" - 4.0/5.0
Aw, the title track! I love this song! It's got a great melody and great lyrics. I think this song is a GREAT addition to the album. :)

"Life to Me" - 4.0/5.0
A slow, but well-written song. With the melody, it's sort of a "twin" to 'She'. Very sweet. You gotta love the slow songs, as well as the upbeat songs! ;)

Overall, I rate this album 5.0/5.0! Perfect gift idea, or for yourself! I listen to this in the car, and it really motivates me to be thankful and not take life for granted. It also puts me in a good mood. :)
This CD is too good to miss. ZOEgirl has definitely earned my respect with their music. :o)

"Different Kind Of Free", The latest album by the Popular Christian vocal trio Zoegirl shows the group stepping into a new musical direction. Unlike the dance-oriented pop that dominated their first two albums, "Different Kind Of Free" is full of fresh musical ideas that lean towards guitar-domintated pop/rock. Upon listening to the album's opening cut, "Beautiful Name", you can be sure to be ready for the unexpected.
Tracks such as the new single "You get Me", "Inside Out" and "Unbroken" are full of memorable hooks and uplifitng lyrics which boast similarities to Rebecca St.James. "Feel alright" has a slight Sheryl Crow vibe to it and is a fun upbeat number. The album's closing track, "Life To Me" is a beautiful praise song with a haunting melody and lyrics of pure adoration. This track even features a nod to The Beatles' "A Day In The Life" with its closing sustained piano chord.
All in all, Zoegirl's latest finds these three young ladies breaking new ground with full zeal. Musically, vocally and lyrically, Zoegirl's combined talents are in full force here. If "Different Kind of Free" is any indication, Zoegirl may well be on their way to becoming the female DCTalk.
This is a great album. Highly recommended!!!

ZOE means to live a life to the fullest for God in Greek, and ZOEgirl is definately worthy of putting ZOE in their name! Ever since their debut release, they were very Godly!

Here are my thoughts on the tracks!

Beautiful Name: (10/10)- This song is so amazing! It is a perfect 50/50 mix of Pop and Rock. I not only love the tune, but the lyrics are AMAZING! This is their "I want to tell the world and shout it loud" song (sort of like I Believe and Even If). They sing, "and for my faith I'll live and die." This is by far my favorite!

You Get Me: (10/10)- When I heard that ZOEgirl was changing their style, I was a little iffy, but then I heard this song on the website... All of my doubts were erased! I love dance pop, but I think I like their new sound better! This song is very good and I think that the music video is really awesome, too! This song is sung to God, thanking him for understanding us!

Inside Out (7/10)- This isn't my favorite musically, but I like the message... This song speaks about how outward appearance doesn't matter! I was sort of confused, though, because the song begins with either Kristin or Chrissy (I couldn't figure it out) singing "Ask me, ask me" in a really high voice...

Love Me for Me (9/10)- I'm not usually a fan of slower songs, and if i thought about this song musically, I couldn't tell you why I like it so much... I just do! Sort of like Apple Jacks, haha! This song has a great message about how God loves you for who you are, not who you wish you could be!

Unbroken (8/10)- Good ballad, but again, I am not a slow song kind of guy! This song speaks about God's abillity to heal the wounds left by our world!

Wait (10/10)- Don't wait one second to listen to this song! The infectious piano part, makes me love this one a TON! I have to admit, I listen to the music of this song so much, that I don't know the message yet... Sorry!

Feel Alright (8/10)- This song is cool, but it sounds a little odd... It is their happy song! This song will cheer you up!

She (6/10)- My least favorite musically, but the message is great. The story is about a girl who makes a mistake and now the world is condemning her. "That's how it goes when we throw stones!"

Contagious (8/10)- This song is pretty cool, but it's not my favorite... Although, like everyone that I have talked to says this was their favorite! "Singin' na na na na na na na na..."

Different Kind of Free (10/10)- This song has the most creative sound I have EVER heard! This song explains the freedom we feel as christians! Great pick for a title track!

Life to Me (9/10)- Wow this song is amazing! It is like full out worship! I bought the song book for this CD and am currently in the process of learning this song!

Well that is the CD! Should you buy the CD? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Words cannot describe how amazing this album is. I've been a fan of ZOEgirl since 2000 when they released their first album. I loved their dance pop beats and harmonies. In 2001, I saw and heard their growth and maturity as songwriters, musicians, vocalists, and most importantly, as friends, with their follow-up, Life, which blew the debut out of the water with harder beats and lyrics dealing with tougher issues. On the Mix Of Life album, we saw songs being given fresh new twists. Their first single ever, I Believe, went from a dancey pop tune to a rock track. That was a glimpse of things to come with Different Kind Of Free, the group's third studio release. The girls have continued to grow as artists, musicians, and vocalists, and it shows. They traded the slick, glossy dance pop for a more edgy rock vibe in the vein of artists like Pink and Michelle Branch.

The album starts off with Beautiful Name. It's a complete rocker. You Get Me, the album's first single, follows, which is still quite rock, but has a little more pop planted into it. A great choice for a first single. Inside Out, Love Me For Me, and are a little poppier than Beautiful Name and You Get Me, but the guitar still really helps the songs. Wait is a great track that sounds like it could have been an outtake from Life....like maybe it was a little too edgy. It fits on this album quite well, even though it stands out. The R&B beat with the piano beat is great. Musically, Feel Alright reminds me a bit of what you'd get if you mixed Pink's Get The Party Started with some rock guitars in the background. They're not in the forefront this time, but they're there. Following Feel Alright is She, a good slower track. Very much in the pop/rock vein of Michelle Branch. After She is the track Contagious, which is just that. It's contagious. A manic dance song with a great beat. After Contagious is the album's true gem, the title track. Different Kind Of Free effectively blends guitar-driven rock with hip-hop/R&B. Closing this amazing album is the beautiful ballad Life To Me. The guitar is still present here, but it's in acoustic form. A perfect close to this incredible album.

I'm already looking forward to the next album from ZOEgirl. They have proven to me that they are true artists, and they have shown that they want to continue to grow and mature as artists and as friends, as well as experiment with new sounds. This album, musically, is very different from Life, but at the same time, very close. A good record from an amazing Christian group.

I bought this CD for my 10 year old sister's birthday. She is normally into all that Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Raven, type of thing. Now, as her older brother, I didnt want her to be influenced by music that didnt have a positive, Godly meaning, so I went out on a limb, didnt know if she would like it or not--but it has become her favorite CD.

ZOE GIRL is her favorite band now, and she even has her friends listening to it.

I would recommend this for anyone, and especially for anyone to just give away as a gift to someone you know and love. The music is a 10 or higher on a scale of 1-10, and beats Britney Spears anyday.

ZOE GIRL is a "Different Kind of Hip" and you can be rest assured that there isnt any of that "Rated R" stuff in their lyrics, concerts or dress code. A Different Kind of Hip, is a Better Kind of Hip.

This is a great album mixed with pop and christian beats and vocals. I would recommend this cd to anyone who is looking for music a bit poppier than Rebecca St. James, yet softer than Jump5's.
1)Beautiful name- Great song. This is about not being afraid to stand up for what you believe in. In this case their love for Jesus Christ. I rate it 4/5
2) You Get Me- The truth about this song is the only person who understands you is God. He and Only He should be the love of your life forever! It is amazing and the vocals really get you in the mood to just sit down and pray for God's uncondtional love. Definite 5/5
3) Inside Out- Such an amazing song with great and upbeat vocals. My favorite song on their album. This songs message is even if you are insecure about how you look or feel and always wonder about what other people think about you, there is no doubt God only cares about what you have inside and how much love you have to give others. 5/5
4) Love Me for Me- This song is about even though people can be foolish at times and a bit crazy, God will always love you for who you are and who you will always be. My fave vocals are "Spotlight glaring down silence from the crowd, the circus is just beginning I tremble looking around and I would hate to fall and hit the ground". Such a great song. 5/5
5) Unbroken- Slow ballad about broken hearts and sad moments. Very emotional. 4/5
6)Wait- Wait is about all the pain you get from people who you do not like or get along with, or just being betrayed. It is also about how someone will realease ones pain. This is very emotional and touched my heart from the chorus. 5/5!
7) Feel Alright- Sort of pop, not much Christian vocals. There is still a good message and that is to just live life happy and always make sure 'the sun is shining' and will brighten your days till the end.
8) She- What can I say? I thought the song was about abortion but it isnt. The message is quite similar to teenage girls. It is about waiting to have sex. If you do not wait and just do it because you think you love someone or something to do, you are wrong. The girl in the song did and made a mistake. She is young and got pregnant by a guy who did not care about her. All he wanted was to just get her in bed. It is hard to rate this song because the message is so universal that it is kind of hard to rate this song, but I like it the most on the album!!
9) Contagious- This song is about catching God's contagious love and never letting go or trying to get rid of it. 4/5
10) Different Kind of Free- Their single, which is also quite universal. I love it and the message. You can get material things or love from someone you see everyday, like family, but it is never the same like God's love. He can see through you and wants to help you and give you his "Free" love/ 5/5!! BEST EVER
11) Life to Me- I do not really listen to it?
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SECRET SITE!- If you have internet you can access many bonus and secret features you will NOT find anywhere else. There are two exclusive songs. One called, "Are You Sure About That?" I really like the vibes and lyrics. It is quite poppy but the lyrics show gospel sides, too. The other secret song is called "I'll Try". It is really nice and a great message about trying to understand things in life and God's ways. Other features are lyrics to a few songs that are the real ones... handwritten!! Lastly, there are pics never before seen and really great videos! Please check this cd out and go buy it!!!


OVERALL, GREAT VOCALS, MESSAGE, AND BEAT. GO OUT AND BUY IT BECAUSE IF YOU DO NOT YOU WILL REGRET IT!!! 5/5!!!!!!!!!

This is ZOEgirl's best CD yet. Here is why:
**beautiful name**
An ok song, but not one of the best. It really sets the stage for the rest of the songs on the CD. Worth listning to.
**you get me**
One of the best on this CD, you get me has a strong beat and great lyrics and vocals. One of the best.
**inside out**
Another song with a strong beat, this is a good song, with really cool sounds.
**love for me**
This is one of my favorite songs on the CD. Good vocals and lyrics sith a strong beat. One of the slower songs.
**unbroken**
An ok song, but a slow song. Good lyrics, but not the best vocals.
**wait**
Another one of my favorite songs, very fast, and with a cool sound that you can really notise when you are listning with headphones.
**feel alright**
A fun song, kind of a 'wake up and enjoy life' kind of song. Very catchy, it will be with you hours later.
**she**
Not one of the best songs, and you can't hear much unless you have the volume turned way up. Worth listning to once and a while.
**contagious**
If feel alright didn't get stuck in your head, this one will. A very fun, fast song, one of my favorites.
**different kind of free**
Lots of good sounds, with a rap sonund. A good title song, if you don't mind the rap part toward the end.
**life to me**
A slow song, with some interesting instrumental parts. Good vocals too.

Overall, a great CD! If you like the other ZOEgirl titles, you will love this one. There is something for everyone in it.

I LOVE this CD!! The songs are great and the lyrics are very good. A must have!

I've been familiar with Zoegirl since their debut album, although I didn't get my first Zoegirl album until their remix album, Mix Of Life (which I've reviewed here at Amazon). While I'd considered them a pop dance group--which is why I bought the remix album, because I wanted some good dance remixes--on the Mix Of Life album was one rock remix, the song "I Believe." Though I am more hungry for good Christian dance music--even pop dance--I was impressed with the sound of that song.

It seems that song pointed the direction to this subsequent album, where the pop dance sound is replaced by a pop rock sound. While I figured I would like the album, I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. In fact, it ended up being one of my top three albums of 2005.

The opening and closing tracks on the album have a bit of a darker sound than their typical tunes do, something that I think helped make this album appeal to me. But my favorite two songs on the album are elated power pop tunes with a very bright sound: "You Get Me" and "Feel Alright." A central line in "Feel Alright" for me is "the sun is shining," and this is a song a play on a beautiful sunny day, particularly in spring, because of its jubilant energy.

As for "You Get Me," it's not only the powerful sunny energy I like in the tune, I like the words especially, of the fact that I am created by God, and therefore he "gets" me, unlike others who may not understand me. This realization of God's intimate knowledge of me, with his care and love, ultimately brings about worship: "I hear You call me by name, and I reach for You; there is nothing I'd rather do than just worship You."

I also used "Inside Out" a lot in my personal worship. Though I didn't use the song for its intended message, I used lines from it that fit my life: "Lately it's so amazing what You're doing to me, rearranging me from the inside out." It's awesome to see God working in your life and changing you in ways you can't do by yourself.

The only song I don't care for on the album is "Contagious," but it's nothing that a good remix can't fix. As it is on this album, the wa-wa sound gives it too much of a dated 70s sound.

The album ends with a song whose chorus is: "Earth and sky and wind and sea will never match Your majesty." The end of this song is spine-tingling, with a low, dark-sounding single piano note with ethereal vocals hovering over it. Awesome. If they would do more of this, along with sounds in the vein of the opening song "Beautiful Name," as well as the title track, they could make a hauntingly beautiful album.

While there are just tastes of that element on this album, they have still taken their music in a new direction from previous albums. This is cheery, energetic pop rock that is top quality. Some of the lyrics are aimed at a young audience, but there is enough material here that's suitable for all ages that the youth-targeted lyrics shouldn't get in the way too much.

I try to limit the number of albums to which I award 5 stars to just a few per year, so this rating shows I consider this album to be extraordinary.

Zoegirl has come out with another album with some very good songs. Their sound has changed a bit from their first album. It has less of a dance sound to it. I think the music has more substance to it. The lyrics continue to be positive and have a Christian message throughout.

There are several very good songs. Two of my favorites are 'Beautiful Name' and 'You Get Me'.

This is a pleasant album overall. I recommend it for anyone wanting a gift for teenage girls. They love the sound and the lyrics are very good. This is an enjoyable album even for those of us who have teenage children.