Customer Reviews

The Lean Years Tradition

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...I can safely say there's not a better person on the planet... and he writes some darn good music too! This is a very intriguing album that has a lot of character. It's definitely a good listen. My favorite on the disc is "Weathervanes," which, to me, is a perfectly crafted song.

Buy it! Give it a listen! You'll like it.

Model Engine is the band that evolved out of Black Eyed Sceva, a California based Christian Alternative Band. The music on This album is strongly guitar based, and as a guitar player myself, I find the style to be unique and refreshing. You probably will not find any top 40 hits in here, but what you will find is thoughtful lyrics such as "I've been sparring with my ghosts, they've been ducking all my blows, and the apparitions I've been missin' got all dressed up in your clothes." from "Walking Wounded". The music is always appropriately matched with the lyrical content, giving the album a strong emotional feel. Halcyon days is a prime example. When the song speaks of disconcerting problems the beat consists of one measure of 4/4 time followed by one measure of 3/4 time, When the song speaks of Halcyon days (calm days) the song evens out into a consistent 4/4 time.

You don't have to be a musician to appreciate this album. Overall a very good effort.

The Lean Years Tradition is one of the CDs I keep coming back to. I don't think a week goes by that I don't listen to it. More than any other album, I think, this one really connects with me in the head -- intellectually, emotionally, spiritually. The only one to come close is 5 Year, 50,000 Miles Davis by Black-Eyed Sceva (Model Engine with a different drummer), and they've made great strides since then musically. For the best in current Christian music, look nowhere else.

this as close to perfect as it gets. perfect music. perfect moods. perfect lyrics. its the best album of its kind (that would be thoughtful alternitive pop) and the only flaw is the mention of a 'god-shaped hole' in walking wounded, which is the albums only even kinda forgettable song. the rest are BRILLIANT. take scarred but smarter - a thinking song if there ever was one... 'me and sherine bridges the gap between the one you think can live with and the one you know you cant live without, its not thaty i feel good its that i can still feel, thats good, and thats all, for now, im just too scarred' those are lines i wish i could write. other standouts are anonmous f (the most subltley 'dirty' song you'll ever hear - its about lust and pornography), reeperbahn, halcyon days, suture, and hang you upside down... well.. its pretty much ALL good. buy it. please.

These are the greatest songs ever to be collected on one record!! Intelligent lyrics, witty and direct. The lyrics to "Anonymous F" (the F stands for...you know) are pretty much ingenious considering when this album was released, every Christian store carried it. If they had any idea what the song was about, they'd have pulled it in a minute. This Cd is just an outstanding collection of honest stories dealing with consequence and pain. And the music is some of the best progressive rock you'll ever hear. BUY THIS CD!!! Get it anyway you can.