8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Chravitz., October 24, 2001
This review is from: Empty (Audio CD)
I first heard this band's music pretty much where everyone else did, on the "Extreme Days" soundtrack. Their offering ("Loss for Words") made me think of a poppier version of Matchbox 20 or a harder version of (insert Boy Band name here). When I heard their stuff on DC Talk's "Solo" album, though, they caught me. The almost-alternative-but-not-quite sound of "Alibi" was actually intriguing, and lead singer Michael (who the band's named after) showed that laying down the soul over heavy guitar hooks works pretty well, and I gave it a try. (Hey, if it works for Lenny Kravitz...) Seriously, though, this is a very good first effort from these guys, and there are quite a few gems on this CD. Yeah, they sound a lot like Lenny, but the lyrics are awesome and send good vibes and messages. The roads Mike and the boys travel down lyrically really provoke thought and inspiration. They talk about racism ("Tragedy"), temptation ("Empty"), persecution ("Spy"), perseverance ("All You Got") and other issues Christians face today, and send the messages without pushing too hard. One of the best songs on the CD is "Talk About Jesus", which is a unique sort of story about someone who has a hard time believing in the great works of God when he sees nothing but hatred and destruction around him. What makes it unique is that it's told from the non-believer's point of view. Some big talent went into putting this album together, too, with Pete Stewart (former headman of Grammatrain) lending his keyboards and huge writing talent to many of the songs, and even Michael W. Smith himself(!!) making an appearance on piano for the last track ("Unglued"). "Empty" is quite the departure from DC Talk's sound, but it's worth the trip. I hope these guys will get together for another go in the future. I recommend it.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not Empty On Talent!, February 18, 2006
This review is from: Empty (Audio CD)
This cd is awesome from start to finish! Michael has the type of voice that I believe could sing absolutely anything and everything and this cd proves it. There is real talent on this disc: Chad Chapin- killer drummer, Lonnie Chapin-solid bass, and Pete Stewart's guitar work is always enjoyable. This is a heartfelt and socially-conscious album. Check out "American Tragedy", "Spy", and "Talk About Jesus". The song "Unglued". written after the death of Michael's father, is one of the most emotional, painful, and beautiful songs I've ever heard. I've yet to be disappointed with any of the "dc" boys' solo stuff. I'm betting this disc won't leave you "Empty".
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD!, November 13, 2003
This review is from: Empty (Audio CD)
This cd is worth the money. The tempo is upbeat (hard rock - without getting out of hand with guitar solos that seem to only want to show off how fast the guitarists fingers can move) and the lyrics thoughtful. If you're a fan of dc Talk (of which Michael Tait is a member) you'll enjoy this cd. Tait's voice is strong as always. Give it a try and you won't be disappointed.
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