Customer Reviews

The Light Meets The Dark

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the two years since its national label debut with Over And Underneath, Tenth Avenue North has become a radio fixture with back to back hit songs "Love Is Here" and "By Your Side" and back to back Dove Awards for New Artist of the year and Song of the year. Tenth Avenue North's anticipated sophomore project, The Light Meets the Dark, is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. It appears that the success of the band has allowed them to creatively express themselves and for me that has really paid off with an improved second album. The album's themes are brokenness, healing and mercy. Once again the songs are poignant and powerful, and in recording the new tunes, the band brings a more seasoned level of musicianship and intensity, reminding me of Robbie Seay Band, Coldplay and Seabird lyrically and musically.

The first single "Healing Begins" encapsulates the theme of the new album. It's where the title of the record comes from. It's basically about confession -- confessing your sins to one another that you might be healed, which is a scary thing to do. You can believe in God and love God, but confessing the things that you keep secret and hold on to -- that keep you tied to your past and weigh you down --confessing those things is not easy. The opening four tracks, all released as singles already, are all among the best songs I've heard on any album in the past few years. "Strong Enough To Save" and "You Are More" kept me hooked lyrically as Mike's vocals are very engaging and I was able to relate to every theme. "The Truth Is Who You Are" really grabbed me musically as the guitar part at the end of the song reminds me of "Fix You" by Coldplay, one of my all-time favorite songs. "Empty My Hands" is a gorgeous ballad and the closing track "Oh My Dear" is a story-song written from Mike to his wife about her confession to him.

Lead singer Mike Donehey describes The Light Meets the Dark this way: "We wanted it to be a collision between our hearts and God's truth. Sparks will fly. His grace collides with the dark inside of us. His blood can cover us and I'm trying to call people out and say `Look, please do not hide your darkness. Expose that to the light.' I know that's the scariest thought, but it's where freedom and healing start to take place. It's where it all starts to happen."

CLOSING THOUGHTS
The Light Meets the Dark is a great second album from a band that continues to improve. It will be hard to not rank this album in my top 10 albums of 2010. For me the stand-out songs are "Healing Begins," "Strong Enough To Save," "You Are More," "The Truth Is Who You Are" and "Empty My Hands." With one listen to The Light Meets The Dark it is obvious Mike Donehey, Jeff Owen and Jason Jamison are taking a bold step forward on their musical journey.

Overall, this is an incredible album, and Tenth Avenue North definitely improved musically and continued their message, furthering the gospel through their music. "Over and Underneath" was more musically cliche, and probably more "catchy", but Tenth Avenue North really takes a risk with more creative music on this album. The strings and piano on "The Light Meets the Dark" are phenomenal, giving a more emotional feel. "Healing Begins" has a bit of a strange intro, but it is a powerful song with the main message of the album - dropping your walls and confessing to others in order for the light to meet the dark. "Strong Enough to Save" is my favorite song on the album so far. It is extremely catchy and has very empowering lyrics. "You are More" will, without a doubt, be their next radio hit! The lyrics remind me of Jonny Diaz's "More Beautiful You". "The Truth is Who You Are" is incredibly deep, and along with "Empty My Hands", is probably the deepest, most emotional song on the album. "All the Pretty Things" is the perfect song for an American society obsessed with "things". "Any Other Way" reveals a great Christian paradox, that the only way to truly love is with "hurt" and "pain". Once again, Tenth Avenue North displays their awesome maturity and knowledge of Biblical principles. "On and On" is a beautiful piano ballad, moving into the heartbreaking "Hearts Safe (Any Other Way)". The chorus cries out "Why?" repeatedly, asking God why a brother or close friend who grew up in church can no longer see God the way the band does. However, it is a hopeful prayer for God to open his eyes. "House of Mirrors" follows and exhibits an awesome metaphor. Perhaps my favorite line on the album is "But a house made of a mirrors never helps you see any clearer. It's yourself you can't see past." Musically, it reminds me of the softer side of Switchfoot, Mike's favorite band. The final song is a beautiful love song, "Oh My Dear", giving a personal example of the message in "Healing Begins". However, I think it could be lyrically better, and it doesn't pack the final punch that "Hallelujah" did on "Over and Underneath".

Upon first listen, this album may not be as catchy as "Over and Underneath", but the musical depth and lyrical prowess improves, as TAN incorporates more strings, and oddities such as hand claps to further the creativity of the album. The scary thing is that Tenth Avenue North will continue to improve on every album they make. They're going to be around CCM for a long, long time! And I couldn't be happier about that! God is truly using them!

After meeting with these guys twice -- talking with them and praying with them -- I'm totally sold on their hearts for ministry! Their songs reflect their genuine desire to bring freedom into the lives of all who hear these soothing tones and creative guitar work. I bought this new CD at their first release party in Seattle only a few days ago and have listened to it several times already. The depth of the message of each song reflects the depth of character in the lives of each of these band members. They all encourage us to bring our brokenness to our Savior who has done it all already for us -- we can rest in His eternal love for us and let the healing begin in our lives.

In fact, Healing Begins was an excellent choice for their first single release with a powerful message behind its gentle melody. The band also played Strong Enough to Save, You are More, and Oh My Dear at their concert last week, leading us to speculate which one of these could be their next release. I love the power behind both the chorus and the message of Strong Enough to Save. You are More in my opinion will be their challenger for the next Song of the Year Dove Award -- it's so encouraging and lifts us out of the rut we fall into -- it's not about what we've done, but what has been done for us. How can anyone listen to that song and not feel the joy rising in their hearts, bringing a smile to any downcast face? Although Oh My Dear is Mike's favorite song that he's ever written and a beautiful one at that, it may be too long for a radio release, much like my favorite song of theirs from their last CD -- Times. Empty My Hands will also be another candidate for the radio, but then again an argument could be made for just about every song on this CD to become an individual hit.

Overall, these guys aren't going to blow you away like Skillet or send you dancing down the street with your boombox like Toby Mac. Their music is not crazy fun like Hawk Nelson, although Tenth Avenue North's webisodes on Youtube are very funny -- but their messages on The Light Meets the Dark are truly life-changing. The music on this CD from Mike, Jeff, Jason and Ruben is calming, refreshing, and empowering -- much like a sweet ocean breeze on a warm summer day, sitting on a porch looking out over the islands, contemplating the journey ahead that God has in store for you. I can't say enough about how committed these guys are to helping you realize that you've already been set free from the burdens of life if you've chosen to follow Christ. Every one of these songs in my book is a guaranteed winner! Enjoy!!!

these songs are amazing. expose real life issues and revelation with great musical talent!! encouraging and uplifting as we depend on Him to lead us through.

I have listened to this cd over and over. The first time I heard the title song, I had to pull over to the side of the road. The lyrics are so real and inspirational. I have bought three copies fo this cd to give as gifts. Every song touches my heart. I espically like when they sing about the wall we build up is just glass. I would recommend this to all age groups.

It's Tenth Avenue North, so of course it's a great, very inspirational and uplifting album. I would say that it's better than their first, but that's just my opinion.

Most of us will agree that Tenth Avenue North is extraordinary, bringing fresh music to the industry. However, the music is more than refreshing. Christians can relate to the lyrics because we all have been there. We have had those mountaintop experiences, and we've had those valleys. We also have questioned our worth in Christ and tried to earn our salvation, but yet have come to the realization that in Christ, we don't need to work. Jesus accepts as who we are. And that's beautiful.

"Light Meets the Dark" album sounds different from "Over and Underneath." If you are looking for an album that will reflect Tenth Avenue North's first album, don't buy it. You'll be disappointed, but I would question why would you want the same types of songs? If the songs are the same, then there is nothing new being brought to the table. "Over and Underneath" was about seeing Christ in such an intimate way that...why would we not run to Him? He holds our hearts and He's by our sides through the good and bad. What kind of love is that? It's indescribable so He moves us, and we accept Him.

But in this album, we see the great and rough times of the Christian walk. Whoever thought being a Christian was the easiest thing in the world is wrong. The songs on this album paint the perfect picture of walking the narrow road. We're still tempted by the world "All the Pretty Things," and we know how freeing it is to lay down that wall and confess "Healing Begins." We have friends or are that friend who stays up late to walk through a dark time with another "Oh My Dear."

Tenth Avenue North's sophomore album is a little slower. Honestly, it took me awhile to actually play through the whole CD without skipping songs here and there. But now I have listened through the whole album and was thoroughly surprised...the tempo may be slow, but the lyrics are thought-provoking. They challenge you. They make you examine your walk with Christ.

You know Jesus is working through them. Just read their journals. As they write music, they are still learning about Jesus and their walks with Him. Their honesty is refreshing.

Please purchase. Don't expect the same lyrics from their first album...expect growth.

I first heard the Tenth Avenue North on the radio while I was driving in San Francisco and I immediately realized that it was a great band. I bought the cd a couple of days later and confirmed my impression. This is an excellent album by a great band. The songs are very nice and the band outstanding.
I highly recommend it.

It is hard to believe that T A N would have a CD as enjoyable as their last but they have managed to pull it off. In The song "The light meets the dark", christians can relate to that area inside of ourselves that God meets us to effect change. It is a miracle that is difficult to describe but this group of godly musicians have done an incredible job. Every song is a treat and the use of a string section in some of the music gives it a rich quality that I personally love.It's no wonder that their popularity is growing at an exponential rate.

I dont have to say much, this band is ridiculously good and the message they bring is amazing. I have all 6 (yes, even before they hit it big!) CD's...and Mike and the band never seem to dissappoint when releasing a new CD. If you listen to Christian music, this band is for you.