Miracle

Third Day | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: PROVIDENT
• ASIN: B009B1EONI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (105 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #365 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #8 in Music > Christian > Pop & Contemporary
  • #21 in Music > Pop > Adult Contemporary
  • #24 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Indie Rock

Editorial Reviews

There comes a time in every artist's career where they need to re-imagine, re-invigorate, and dream it all over again. For Third Day, that time was in the fall of 2011. Their touring was never better, their album Move was successful, the fans were super-engaged, yet they felt it was time to shake things up. As they prepared to write and record their next album, Miracle, the band hired legendary producer Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, The Fray, Train) to help them forge a new sound. From the opening track, "Hit Me Like A Bomb", it is clear that Third Day means business when they say they want to bring something new to the table.

Musically, there are sounds that have never been on a Third Day album including layered guitars, layered harmonies, and sing-a-long gang vocals. Music styles range from pulsating rock to acoustic pop-rock, yet the classic Third Day sound everyone loves is still there but refreshed and rejuvenated. Lyrically, the themes are relevant for our culture today. Songs about pressing on in difficult times (Your Love Is Like A River, I Need A Miracle), praying for change (Hit Me Like A Bomb, Believe In Something), and hope for better times (The Victory, Take Me Back).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Update to previous review...this album is good y'all! November 9, 2012

By Daniel T. Hughes

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am writing this review as an update to an earlier review i posted for this album. I still feel like it only deserves 4 out of 5 stars, but after a few more listens, this album is solid. Is it a new sound for Third Day? Yes and no. I feel it is different but not that far off from Third Day's trademark sound. More synthesizers and a pop sound on some tracks like For the Rest of My Life, but good. Best Christian album? That depends on the listener and how many times you listen to this album. The christian message is in there yet it takes a few listens to get the overall gist of their message in the music. Hit Me Like a Bomb, Time's Running out on Me, and I Want to Believe in you aren't right out christian songs lyrically but you can get it. Summation.... good album musically speaking yet weaker Christian outlook, some odd songs but overall a great listen. If Time, Wire and Revelation are what you deem to be their best works, get this album. However, if Move, Wherever You Are and Third Day are your best albums...I might wait out on this one. It is a Christian album for sure, yet I just wished the lyrics would have been more up front and center about Jesus and His Grace to us. If you have their other albums...you know they're a christian group that's been around for 20 years! They seem to have a pattern of album styles....mainstream, more gospel/christian oriented, back to mainstream well you get the point. Morning Has Broken the last track on this album is almost worth the asking price however and I Need a Miracle and Your love is Like a river are good as well. If you love Third Day and have been a long time fan...get this album. If not, please, i encourage you, to check out their other albums first..it will help you to understand this group, one of Christian Music's greatest bands ever!!! :)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Third Day [Miracle] November 6, 2012

By Kevin Davis TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Third Day had me at "Love Song," the standout song from their debut album in 1996. I was seeking Christianity at the time and had just discovered my favorite band Jars Of Clay and couldn't get enough of Christian music, also including Audio Adrenaline and Newsboys. The 1990's were key in the development and influence on the Christian music scene and Third Day pioneered Christian Southern Rock. There comes a time in every artist's career where they need to re-imagine, re-invigorate, and dream it all over again. For Third Day, that time was in the fall of 2011. Their touring was never better, their album Move was successful, the fans were super-engaged, yet they felt it was time to shake things up. As they prepared to write and record their next album, Miracle, the band hired legendary producer Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, The Fray, Train) to help them forge a new sound. From the opening track, "Hit Me Like A Bomb," it is clear that Third Day means business when they say they want to bring something new to the table.

Even though Wherever You Are, Revelation and Move featured hit songs "Cry Out To Jesus," "Call My Name," "Revelation," "Trust In Jesus" and "Children of God," I've missed that complete album experience I experienced with Time. "Hit Me Like A Bomb" and "Kicking And Screaming" start it off with great personal songs about praying for change and Mac Powell's vocals have never sounded better. The next set of songs are about pressing on in difficult times, "Your Love Is Like A River" and hit song "I Need A Miracle," a likely Song of the Year nominee. For me, the other standout songs which make this a complete album are the next group of songs, which are about praying for hope for better times, "For The Rest of Your Life" and "The Victory." Those songs are great examples of how this album is more diverse and original sounding than I've heard in a long time from this legendary band. Those looking for more vertical and prayerful songs can find them in "You Are My Everything," "I Want To Believe In You" and "Forever Yours."Those worshipful and personal songs are among the best songs on the album.

"I Need A Miracle" is my favorite song on the album. One of my favorite aspects of Third Day's music is how they tend to have very spiritual lyrics. This song declares boldly what it means to be a follower of Jesus and is a thesis statement of faith--"And in your hour of desperation, Know you're not the only one, praying Lord above, I need a miracle." God wants to hear from us, and this song compels me to pray more fervently to my Savior. I resonate with the message and as a Christian who does understand the power of prayer, what people need to take away from this song is that we aren't in control of circumstances under our human ability. The power of God can transcend our human understanding and power. We serve a God who is much bigger than our struggles. I get goose bumps when I listen to this amazing song and sing along at the top of my lungs. Closing songs "Time's Running Out On Me" and "Morning Has Broken" close the album as strong as it starts with more declarations of faith and the importance of relying on Jesus for all of our strength.

CLOSING THOUGHTS (Staff Review, NewReleaseTuesday.com)
Miracle is the Third Day album I've been waiting for since Time. I am amazed by this Third Day album. I'm so glad they went back to their roots. I became a "Gomer" with the southern gospel-rock and passion of songs like "Thief," "Love Song" and "Forever." If you are a long-time fan of Third Day, be very excited about Miracle. Here's your chance to learn what has made Third Day the premier rock band in all of Christian music. Every song is on this album is a guaranteed hit, especially "Hit Me Like A Bomb," "Kicking And Screaming," "For The Rest of Your Life," "The Victory" and one of my selections for Song of the Year,"I Need A Miracle." The music is catchy, every song rocks, and in my opinion this is the best overall album of Third Day's distinguished career.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars What's really missing? The "Southern" Rock. December 25, 2012

By M&M

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I find it interesting that all of the reviews are focusing on how "rock" the album is (and on whether it's Christian "enough"). I also find it interesting that the same reviewers claim to have been fans of the band for years. Those who are original fans know that one of the key distinctions of Third Day has always been its southern roots, and I find that to be the missing element on this album. In fact, the southern element has been disappearing for some time. I say this as a proud owner of Third Day's Southern Tracks, which I consider one of the best blends of their southern rock music with Mac's soulful voice.

That said, I don't find Miracle to be unpleasant or disappointing for any reason other than I want something else from Third Day. The album has a couple of interesting songs, and the ones that I thought I wouldn't like grew on me as the song played on. All in all, it's a pleasant album that will be played fairly regularly in my household even if it doesn't rank amongst my favorites.

As for whether it's Christian enough, I'm unclear why artists are expected to use Jesus' name like a club in all of their songs. Their songs repeatedly mention the Lord, and the last time I checked, Jesus was Lord.