Lifegiver

Hyper Static Union | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rocketown Records
• ASIN: B000F2CBXM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,102 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Brilliant..., July 30, 2006

By 

Sashanna (Taneyville, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lifegiver (Audio CD)

I discovered HSU while browsing through the selection at Wal-Mart. I guess I noticed the sticker on the front which had something on it from Mac Powell and I am a fan of Third Day so I got the CD. All I can say is that I am happier with it than any CD I have purchased in a long time. Why? Well...
- Firstly, the music is refreshingly new. In an age when you can describe nearly every band as sounding like Kutless, Third Day, or Relient K, HSU stands out as something distinctly different. That is because they refuse to be shoved in a box. Just when you think you have them figured out they throw in a new musical style and you are like, "Wow... wasn't expecting that..." The music ranges from rock, to funk, to R&B and everything in between. The vocals are refreshing as well; a voice that is different and has fantastic range.
- Hauntingly nostalgic. I grew up listening to Christian music from the 80's simply because I chose to. I am only 21 so the fact that WhiteHeart, WhiteCross, Stryper, and Angelica were a part of everyday life was simply b/c that's what I liked. My Dad says this album reminds him of Queen in general. At times the music is very reminiscent of Sweet Comfort Band. Song 5, Right Where You Want Me, is extremely reminiscent of 80's rock, with a fantastic guitar riff, as is the last song, Now That it's Over.
- Worshipful, Touching Lyrics. From the first song to the last, this CD is full of lyrics that will uncover facets of God's character and our shortcomings as humans that one has never seen before. And the revalation will cause you to fall on your knees. In the first song the cry is for the Lifegiver; "You gave me a joyful song to sing when I was so downhearted/ You give me life, You are the Lifegiver." In song 5 HSU reminds us of God's incredible grace, "All of my words were profane/ The only time I called Your name/ I took it in vain/ Yet You heard my cry/ Even though I lived a lie..." The last song is incredibly fun b/c it is like the classic break-up song, with all the attitude you would expect, except that it is to Satan. "I must admit I couldn't wait/ to see the look in your eyes when we said goodbye.."
Overall, and incredible, touching, refreshing CD that leaves you thirsting for more. Look for amazing things from this ground-breaking group.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, Now this is new and fresh, June 8, 2006

By 

Todd Sullivan "The Esteem of the World Isn't ... (Mount Vernon, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lifegiver (Audio CD)

I stumbled upon this album through a friend's recommendation and I was hooked from the first riff. I have not been wowed by an album and a new band in some time but HSU did just that. This bands sound is hard to pin down to one genre or influence, There is an element of grunge, an element of funk, elements of pop, reggae, Soul , R & B, rock.
They have great hooks with very funky riffs playing in the background.
"Lifegiver" sounds something musically of a Lenny Kravitz or Jamarequa album, with a splash of pop thrown in. "Praying for Sunny Days" is my favorite track on the album and has a very R& b , soul sounding tune that refreshes the soul, I promise listening to this song will lift the mood a couple notches, with one heck of a catchy riff.
"Just can't Leave it Alone " is a spunky funky song that grooves heavy .
Hyper Static is poised to be the CCM Breakout artist of the year, an absolute must!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Something New, Something Different, Very Refreshing, June 5, 2006

By 

Susan Prince (Humboldt, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lifegiver (Audio CD)

If you are looking for something new and different, or music from a rock band that isn't described with the words "sounds like Kutless", then Hyper Static Union might be the next band for you to check out.

Hyper Static Union is a rock band that infuses infectious melodies together with a dynamic, rhythmic funk that is the foundation for it's driving solid rock sound. Lead singer and main songwriter, Shawn Lewis has a smooth vocal quality with amazing range that lifts the music right off the disc, through the ear, and into the part of the brain where melodic hooks get stuck. The crisp vocal harmonies, thick guitar grooves, Stevie Wonder and Lenny Kravitz influenced funk-rock, combined with inspiring spiritual lyrics make HSU a delight to listen to.

Hyper Static Union is on the cusp of carving their own niche in the music scene with their worthy debut release, touring with favorites such as Switchfoot, Relient K, Kutless, Toby Mac, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, and Pillar, and with the momentum of a huge endorsement coming from Mac Powell of Third Day, who produced much of this disc. All these elements combine to make HSU a band to watch...the band to listen to!

"Lifegiver" lays the funk groove down to kick start the album as Lewis wails out "You gave me love Oh Lord, when I was so unlovable," "You gave me life, You are the Lifegiver...". Punctuated with Lewis' bending and scooping of notes and adding subtle growls, this song sets the tone of the CD and has the listener grooving along and wanting more.

"Praying for Sunny Days" is one of the first cuts released from the CD and this is one of those tunes with a chorus that gets stuck in your head. It leads off with an accapella solo voice singing in a steady, straight ahead pulse "The thunder echoes from the mountains to the waves" then the soft funk of drum and guitar break in steadied with a repetitive bass note. Lewis shows off his talent in the falsetto range as he croons "I'm ... praying for sunny days to return to me, seeking the warmth of the solar rays, I'm not just seeing the gray skies in front of me, praying for sunny days". This is a song that offers hope through faith even when all those around you doubt and condemn you. The melody of the chorus flits and flutters as a butterfly floating on a breeze Then the song kicks out into an all out rock song at the bridge with a renegade guitar solo that seems to say "get behind me satan!" as he pushes doubters out of the way and waits for his sunny day.

The CD is chock full of inspirational lyrics that explore spiritual themes such as freedom ("Free Me"), grace ("Child of Grace"), fighting the good fight ("Good Fight"), and Jesus carrying us home in His Chariot ("Chariot"). The music is so refreshing because it is unlike the mainstream sound clogging CCM these days. It has a sound that is very warm and welcoming and will appeal to listeners of all ages. Fans of Maroon 5 may find the musical style very similar, and fans of old soul-funk like Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Earth, Wind and Fire (minus the horns) will dig the groove. The rock sound captures influences of Lenny Kravitz and at times I compare it to the old retro sound of early 80s adult rock.

I highly recommend a listen to Hyper Static Union if only to satisfy a craving for something new, something different.