Customer Reviews

Freaked! A Gotee Tribute To dcTalk's Jesus Freak

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

 

 

Tribute albums: you either love `um or hate `um. I'm one of the prior. For me, a good cover means the performing artist takes a good piece of music and adds their own personal touches to it while respecting the original. A bad cover would be someone either playing it safe and doing it exactly like the original (thus showing no creativity), or ripping the song to pieces, throwing out the good, and then gluing it back together (showing they have no respect for the original.)

This particular album is a tribute to another album, Jesus Freak by dc Talk, one of the best rock albums of the 90s (period.) The thing about Jesus Freak is that the songs were wonderfully well written and produced, giving them a stay factor in a lot of people's minds as well as play lists.

Its a tough act to follow, so when I heard that Gotee was producing a tribute album, I knew they were going to have to make it REALLY good in order to please dcT fans. Now, when you have a tribute album, you're going to get a mixed bag. Thankfully, when picking up this album off the shelf and shoving it in there, I found that it was mostly not just good, but great.

Sticking true to the original track order of the original album was my first tip-off. There's even a hilarious nod to the phone message at the end of So Help Me God, thanks to Relient K.

But enough about the history here, let's look at the actual covers, shall we?

<l>
<li>1. So Help Me God - Showdown
I've never heard of Showdown before, but I must say they take this opening song and tear through it like nobody's business. The crunched up guitars and harder hitting vocals actually improve this song. I just can't stop listening to it!
<li>2. Colored People - Ayiesha Woods, John Reuben, The Gotee Brothers
While the urban sound does well for this song, this particular cover suffers from too many cooks. Or perhaps not enough John Reuben. Still mentionable, as its definitely not a low point on this record.
<li>3. Jesus Freak - 4th Avenue Jones
Ah, the smash hit title track. Here, keeping true to the original wins out over originality. Sure, the lead is song by a female (she does quite well, too), and the rap is a little staggered with unusual breathing points (didn't anyone tell this guy how to breathe while rapping?) A good effort, but this version stays way close to the original to be the highlight the original was.
<li>4. What If I Stumble? - Sarah Kelly
This is the first real low point of the album. This song practically gets slaughtered up until the end, when it starts to pick up and attempt to redeem itself. While I don't usually mind Sarah Kelly or her music, this effort just put me off.
<li>5. Day By Day - House of Heroes
Okay, this is an absolutely splendid song. The original was great, but House of Heroes really outdid themselves here. Emphasizing the rock guitars and beat, these guys take a good song and make it awesome.
<li>6. Mr. Tobin
<li>7. Between You and Me - Relient K
At first, I didn't know what to think of this one, as the original was my personal favorite, and Relient K put such a different spin on it that it threw me the first time through. But it really grows on you, as Relient K somehow manages to emphases the sorrow of hurting another and the need to ask for forgiveness. This is what a great cover should be.
<li>8. Like It, Love It, Need It - Fighting Instinct
Like House of Heroes before them, Fighting Instinct focuses on the rock aspect of this song, edging out the hip-hop bridge in favor of a fast paced rock out. A perfect fit for this one.
<li>9. Jesus Freak (Reprise) - John Reuben and the Gotee Choir
Not one of my favorites, but Gotee gets points for including it.
<li>10. In The Light - Storyside:B
Wonderful, simply wonderful. This cover sounds close to the original, but adds some high-pitched guitar picking, some good background harmonies, and rocks a little harder. I almost expected Charlie Peacock to show up at the end of this one.
<li>11. What Have We Become? - Liquid
Much like Colored People, the urban influence is greatly apparent here, but this time pulled off quiet well by Liquid. The addition of piano and strings really adds to this song, as do the creepy choir during the chorus and tight harmonies. Well worth mentioning.
<li>12. Mind's Eye - Family Force 5
Don't get me wrong, I love Family Force 5 and their style, and I'm sure there's some out there that will enjoy this screaming version of Mind's Eye, but for me it was an average attempt.
<li>13. The Gotee Brother's Interlude
<li>14. Between You and Me - Paul Wright, Ayiesha Woods
For those who weren't too keen on Relient K's version, we get treated to another! This version is much closer to the original in style, with Ayiesha's smooth vocals finding a much worthier home alongside the ever-pleasant Paul Wright. Definitely a highlight.
<li>15. Jesus Freak - Chasing Victory
The second major low point on this otherwise wonderful album. While the first version on the album was okay, this cover finds itself suffering from multiple personalities. The music is much rocker and crunchier which isn't too bad, neither is the slithery singing during the first parts of the verses, or the rocking chorus. It's how the raps end up being screamed (or roared, as it were) that really kill this one. Sad that such a good album would end with this.

And so ends this review with four out of fives stars. dcTalk would be proud of these guys. Don't let the low points keep you away from this one, it's a worthy album!

This CD is a great tribute to one of the best bands of my generation. The renditions these Gotee artists did is an awesome way to show the great things that DC Talk did. I bought the CD just today and I can't stop listening to it. I feel like I am 14 again listening to Jesus Freak all over again. If you want an awesome experience buy this CD and listen to the words of the songs.

This album is a major disappointment for me.

Admittedly, I am a big dc Talk fan and I consider their album, 'Jesus Freak', to be among the best albums in Christian music and rock history. So, needless to say, I was hoping for something that would be a worthy tribute to that masterpiece album. This is not it, to say the least.

There are a few good songs on it. I think Relient K did a very interesting version of 'Between You and Me'. Others that are done quite well are the following: 'Day By Day' by House of Heroes, 'Like It, Love It, Need It' by Fighting Instinct, and 'In The Light' by Storyside B.

Several of the others were average. Although I really like Sarah Kelly's music, I don't think that even her version of 'What If I Stumble' is done well.

There are a couple of songs on here that are really poor. The track of 'Mind's Eye' and the second cut of 'Jesus Freak' are very substandard.

I'm sure that these artists meant well in performing this tribute, but it is not up to par. Some things are just so good that they should be left alone. Jesus Freak is one of those.

I would definitely not recommend this album. If one is interested in checking out a few of the better songs, I would recommend getting them on I Tunes or another digital music service. The song by Relient K would be worth getting that way.

Rewind back to 1995. Where were you? More importantly, where were you when DC Talk's Jesus Freak was all over Christian radio? Personally, I was in 6th grade and Christian music was as close to God as I could muster at the time. Its been over a decade and my how things have changed, but the lyrics still take you back. This is a great tribute album simply for the fact that you'll remember the first time around. Yes, the nostalgic fan will get the most out of this one. If you remember how cutting edge controversial the track "Jesus Freak" was back in '95 you can appreciate the radical spin Chasing Victory places on their rendition. Rounding out the tribute and nearly covering the rest of the musical spectrum are the tracks by Liquid and Sarah Kelly. Fans with a narrow tolerance for musical sound won't enjoy this Gotee tribute to DC Talk as more open minded listeners. If nostalgia is your thing you're safe with this purchase.

...but Chasing Victory's version of Jesus Freak murder this effort. It actually the only thing that keeps this review from being 5 stars. The song- no, that album was fine until they started screaming. Instead of rapping or at least an intrumental or something else.

But yeah. You could always take the cd out before it gets to that song and enjoy it. Because it's worth it.

Before the release of this album I was looking forward to it, as I am a fan of many of these artists who make up the compilation. After sampling every song, I have to say that I'm disappointed. Most of the songs sounded uninspired, and left me wishing I was hearing the original DC Talk version. The exception was 4th Avenue Jones' rendition of "Jesus Freak", that one sounded pretty good. In my opinion, Gotee Records missed the mark with this one, though I love most of their artists. I do recommend most of them, but doing their own stuff. 4th Avenue Jones, Paul Wright, Sarah Kelly, Relient K, John Reuben, and Fighting Instinct are all excellent. But I would advise steering clear of this cd.