Customer Reviews

Divine Invitation

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rising from one of the largest college services in the nation, at The Flood in San Diego, comes Something Like Silas - a band that does worship music in a different way. The Flood and Something Like Silas are symbiotic - they were both born at the same time and are inexorably linked; all five members of Silas are a deeply involved in The Flood and play there at least two thirds of the weekends of the year. Services at The Flood are what is known as "emerging worship" - a post-modern style that emphasizes interaction and artistic expression in the midst of the worship and teaching. "We want to change the way people look at worship bands," says Eric Owyoung, the band's lead singer.

DIVINE INVITATION, then, is the perfect vehicle for Owyoung's stated mission. Though worshipful through and through, the record does not typify what we now understand to be modern worship, with the corporate, sing-a-long style choruses and easy to remember lyrics. DIVINE INVITATION is, in some ways, the anti-modern-worship worship album. It is moody, brooding, environmental, alternative, and impassioned. Musical influences, which flavor rather than dominate the production, range from The Violet Burning to Sixpence None the Richer to Radiohead and U2.

"Creation's Call" opens the album. A song based on Luke 19 - creation singing the praises of God - it is backed by searing, echoing guitars and moody production that create an ambience that sets the perfect backdrop for the expansive lyric. "Words That You Say" would perfectly open any worship service: "Speak in this close communion / though this hour seems timeless still / I wait for Your words that bid me come."

The title track starts out being carried by soft, prayerful keyboards. The production builds, slowly adding more layers, more vocals, a guitar, and then layers of guitars and percussion, until the chorus is carried by a haunting, crying voice that perfectly expresses the longing of the chorus for the embrace of God.

"When I Search," an all-out rocker, is another moment where Silas turns the stereotypes of contemporary Christian music on their ear, talking not about what we know as Christians but rather the process, and the discovery that "when I search for you every day / I found how whole you make me." The band's cover of "Better Is One Day" is excellent and truly gives this now too-often recorded song new life, though in the midst of so much originality from the band this one seems a bit out of place.

Color me impressed. This is, hands down, one of the best albums of the past year. The more I listen to it the more impressed I become. Something Like Silas breaks the mold of what worship music can and should sound like; beyond that, DIVINE INVITATION is simply a fantastic alt-rock record. San Diego already lays claim to two great national bands - P.O.D. and Switchfoot. The count is now up to three.

Man, if Something like Silas would have come out a couple of years earlier then Eric Owyoung's vocals could have been called unique and sound like no other's. Well his vocals are still very unique but he sounds a lot like David Crowder which is a good thing. This band is so hard to categorize because their lyrics can be considered worship lyrics but then when you get to the style of singing and music you could possibly talk about emo or atmospheric rock in the same vein as Coldplay or Radiohead. Well anyways let us go beyond categorizing them. Owyoung's vocals are very passionate and very honest and his vocals epitomize beautiful for masculine vocals. Then he has the angelic vocals of his wife, Melina backing him up. The cd starts off on a strong note with the song "Creation's Call". It slowly builds from quiet verses to a heavenly chorus with pulsating vocals. There is actually a noisy guitar solo in this song so that takes this band away from the worship genre. Then the second song "Words that you say" is a emotional ballad to God. Another song that sticks out in my mind is "In the burning" which is a very, very, passionate song about God's passion. Again it starts off with a quiet first verse and then it builds up slowly into the chorus and then it gets more edgy on the second verse. Finally it builds into a powerful ending. Eric Owyoung's vocals are tense and beautiful at the same time. And the production is really well done by Steve Hindalong who has produced one of my favorite bands, Cool Hand Luke so you know Something like Silas has got to be something special for Hindalong to produce them. If you like worship music then check these guys out but then if you like some nice atmospheric rock then also check these guys out. God bless.

SLS has a sound all their own. The fact that this cd was produced by two members of the greatest Christian alternative band of all time, "The Choir", only adds to the depth of their music. Simply put, there is not a single bad song on here. "When I Search" and "Creation's Call" are two incredible rockers. "Weight of the World" is a short (less than two minutes) but intimate song (just wish it'd been longer). "In the Burning" is one of my favorites, with incredible minor chords that make this a dark yet rocking one. The last two songs "Better is One Day" and "I Fall" flow seamlessly into one another. While "Better" has been done to death, SLS gives it a unique sound, and "I Fall" will grab you and haunt you for the rest of the day.

If you are a fan of "The Choir", "Prayer Chain", "The Violet Burning", or similar Christian alt bands, this is what you've been waiting for. Eric Owyoung's vocals are honest, and his wife Malina's backing vocal "touches" make this one a definite keeper. This band is great! Oh, and if you ever get the chance to see these guys in person, get there.

Highest recommendation.

...which is a VERY good thing, since "Divine Invitation" effortlessly invites the listener to experience God-worship in a refreshingly whole new way. And that's always a good thing.

Worship albums have to be the most oversaturated CCM ("contemporary Christian music") product out there, and thus, many of those projects are very hit-or-miss by nature: either you like it (or most of it) or you wish you never bought it. "Divine Invitation" is most certainly the former, PLUS a whole lot more. This is one of those rare "comes-once-in-a-very-long-time" albums that, I can truly say with all my heart, will treasure for as long as I will listen to music. Period.

Each of the 11 tracks (including an earnestly unique rendition of "Better Is One Day") is laid out with a lush, epic soundscape of the U2 and Coldplay kind. This quality of sound and music is, to me, extremely rare and unprecedented in a "worship" album.

Lyrically, it's honest, searing, heartfelt stuff that doesn't "talk down" to believers. That's another thing that stood out for me.

There's really no particular standout song that defines the album...especially since they're ALL standouts to me.

Truly, just like a previous reviewer said, "Divine Invitation" is more than just "worship"...you just gotta hear it and
e-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e it for yourself. If you, for some freakish reason, don't like it, just sell me your copy.

If you're tired of the same old rehashed and repackaged sound that's being mega-mass-produced in today's bookstores and Christian music section of Wal-Mart....and LONG to "sing to the Lord a n-e-w song", THIS is it. Bonus points for having three Asian band members (including the lead vocals/guitar guy)!

man. intimate. meaningful. powerful. all for the Glory of God

awesome tune too.

It is very unusual when a band puts together a grouping of songs that display both passion and talent on each track. With "Divine Invitation," Something Like Silas has done just that. With wonderful, creative songwriting, heavenly subtleties (from the background vocals and soft piano runs, to cascades of perfectly placed guitar sections) and solid production, the disk is a surprisingly great rock album. From the opening moments of "Creation's Call," to the soft, hidden piano bringing the twelve track symphony to its end, "Divine Invitation" doesn't let up. Highlights include the longing of "Spirit Waltz," the deep emotion of "In the Burning," and the absolutely perfect ending to the well-known "Better Is One Day."

The few shortcomings in the album spring from a lack of creativity. While the band's talent is evident, there is a very real sense that Something Like Silas did not want to take too many risks. It is completely understandable, for a band that found its first label in Sparrow, that they want to play it safe. But it would have been nice to hear some off-kilter changes, or perhaps strip some songs down so that we get a look inside who they really are.

However, Something Like Silas has created a perfect stepping stone for their next release, and in doing so have created one of the best albums of 2004; Christian or otherwise.

Something like Silas provides powerful soul searching music that has inspired me, enabling me to find peace and myself when I was in the depths of dispare- through God and their powerful music.
What you hear on this CD only touches the surface of their abilities to inspire and revive our souls through Christ our Lord. They have many more songs, just waiting to be released. I feel One day Something Like Silas will be viewed to be a classic group.

Shipped to me within time frame givin good price definetly would buy from this seller again.

this is such a great CD !
both the music and the lyrics are truly wonderful.
i am surprised these songs did not become more 'mainstream' on popular christian radio. i would strongly recommend this CD.

This is a great CD for anyone who likes alternative praise music like David Crowder. They preach good messages but there kind of praise is different from the Hillsong United stuff that people sing at church which is neither good nor bad. I especially like the first song Creation's Call and the sixth song When I search. Also it is about time they had a Christian Band with Asian People in it.