Customer Reviews

Mission Temple Fireworks Stand

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prime Cuts: All I Want is You, One Little Heartbeat at a Time, With You Daddy

After 2002's most disappointing "Can You Hear Me Now?," which was an over-produced album of songs with misplaced hooks, "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" features tighter songs with a looser, rowdier and more organic production courtesy of lead singer Mark Miller. Of noteworthy import is the enlistment of contemporary Christian music's Steven Curtis Chapman who wrote two tracks, and he shares the pen with Miller on three other tracks. With Miller not being reticent about his deep seeded faith in Christ and with the boys' affinity with rock oriented songs, Chapman works effortlessly with Miller producing some of this album's cap sheaf. Conversely, Mac McAnally, one of the group's most invariable songwriters (whose songwriting credits include "Café on the Corner" and "After All These Year") is clandestinely absent.

Charging out of the boondocks is the smoldering Southern gospel rock title track. Though Miller's turbocharged performance is befitting, but lyrically the song is too esoteric to garner widespread radio appeal. Telling the story of a sanguine Southern pastor who gave up a prestigious job at a big church in order to preach in small tents and as a result causing quite a spiritual stir, may be intriguing. But, somehow it's not something that most lay people (such as non-clerics) can relate to. This may explain why "Mission Temple" has prematurely sizzled off from the Billboard charts without much of a dent. Much better is the Steven Curtis Chapman's "Tarzan and Jane," a bluesy uptempo tale of mutual dependence. Like what Phil Collins did to the "Tarzan" soundtrack, "Tarzan and Jane" is replete with the pyrotechnics of a tropical forest ambience with the boast of even a monkey's holler. Keyed by some trebly guitars and some pounding percussions awash with a swirling bluesy soundscape, "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" owes a debt to Delbert McClinton and Lee Roy Parnell.

As fans of Sawyer Brown know Miller is peerless when it comes to exploring the convolutions of the heart. The wistful snivel, "With You Daddy" finds Miller reluctantly saying farewell to his dying father. Miller's understated delivery coupled by this weeper's plangent sounding keyboard is a show stopping exemplar of how superior Miller can be as a balladeer. The family is again the tableau of the Steven Curtis Chapman slowie "One Little Heartbeat at a Time." While the current single (which is also Sawyer Brown's 50th Billboard charted entry) "They Don't Understand" presents a litany of tales of forgiveness culminated with the greatest paragon of love in the Cross of Christ Jesus. Written by Gregg Hubbard and Miller himself, "All I Want is You," like their previous hit ""With This Ring," is a gorgeous love ballad that steals the stars of all romantic nights.

Other than the title cut and the pretty average blue-collar rocker ("Ole' Kentuck"), "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" find the boys consolidating their strengths to deliver one of this group's finest albums since "Café on the Corner." With such heavy weighted ballads that engage the heart and soul, this CD ought to cause some fireworks indeed!

Simply put, this is the best Sawyer Brown album in years, and well-worth the wait. The smoking gospel energy of the title track is just as irresistibly raucous and fun as their early hits like "Betty's Bein' Bad." "They Don't Understand" is meaningful, touching and heartfelt, as is "With You Daddy," reminiscent of their previous hit "The Walk." "Ladies Man" is clever and fun, and their fantastic rendition of The Georgia Satellites' "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" ought to be released as the next single. Lead singer Mark Miller has been gifted with one of the best, most soulful male country voices around, like gravel wrapped in velvet, equally able to make you cry, make you laugh, or force you to get up and dance. And their deep commitment to spreading the positive message of God's love, in a fun, non-preachy way, is as evident as always here. This fantastic album is a must for all Sawyer Brown fans.

Being the huge fan of Sawyer Brown that I am, I would not be able to rate anything they produce with anything other than 5 stars. However, I do have valid reasons for my rating. All of there music ranges from light to deep and fun to inspirational and moving. I love everything about Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. I saw SB perform the songs on this CD and now when I hear them I can the band performing it. It's amazing. Two of my favorites are "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" and "Ole Kentuck". I think like most fans, "They Don't Understand" is an alltime favorite. To think about the meaning of it creates overwhelming emotions that I'm not quite used to. Sometimes I'm not a very nice person. I get frustrated and irritated and that causes me to do and say things that at are usually cruel and very unnecessary. I don't ever hear the song on my local country station so the first time I heard it was when I purchased the CD. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried when I first heard it. It really brings you back to reality. I'm one of those people that yells at drivers and criticizes others on the way they handle situations. I don't have that right, and NOW I know it. Before, I wouldn't think twice about it. I was wronged and that was that. Now, I catch myself and immediately regret what I said. So, I guess that's progress. I've still got a long way to go, but I've made a start. So the truth be told, this CD has made me a better person.....it's changed my life. For that, I thank God and Sawyer Brown.

I absolutely love this album. I am a huge Sawyer Brown fan and this album is totally AWESOME, my favorite song is "With You Daddy" but I love all of them, this song just reminds me of my Dad, I lost him almost 5 yrs ago and I never knew him when I was growing up, we were just getting to know each other and our time was cut short from a car accident, so that's why "With You Daddy" is my favorite song. I absolutely love "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" even before I got the album I recorded the song off of GAC when they did a special performance. I hope they come out with a new album soon too. Anyone who likes Sawyer Brown should have this album and listen to some of the words to their songs because some of the songs really hit you hard and make you think about things. So get this album it is truly a MUST HAVE. thanks SBFC

This is one of Sawyer Brown's best yet. They just keep getting better with each and every Album that they release. The song on this CD that touches me the most is "With You Daddy". I get chills everytime I hear it. "They Don't Understand" get me too. The Boys sing about things that make you want to stop and smell the roses and take time to listen to others and help people without asking for something in return, things just aren't what they may look like. The upbeat title song "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" makes me want to jump up and sing out loud and do a little dance! I just can't say enough about this CD. This CD is fun, but still has the serious part, just like with any other Sawyer Brown CD I can listen over and over and never get tired of what I am listening to. So Wheather you are a Sawyer Brown fan or just a country music fan, this CD is a must for you collection. SBFC

I have waited for three long years for this CD, as I paid for it on Tuesday morning, I could hardly stand the excitement of the new CD finally being in my hands. I raced to my car threw it into the CD player and cranked it up!! I can't even begin to describe the happiness I felt listening to each and every song. The wait was worth it!!!! These guys are not only the hardest working band in country music, but truly one of the greatest!!! I have followed them through the years since Star Search and they just get better with time. A true Sawyer Brown fan will love this CD and those who don't believe, need to listen, they have a message and a sound that is truly remarkable and totally unforgettable!!! The Boys are Back and does it ever sound good!!!!!

Mission Temple Fireworks Stand, the new CD from Sawyer Brown, is a fine collection of new music from the veteran group. It features several up-tempo country rock songs, including Mission Temple, Tarzan and Jane, and a blistering remake of Keep Your Hands to Yourself. Another key song is the heart-renching ballad They Don't Understand.

I think this is their best CD since Six Days on the Road. There isn't really a weak song, and the band sounds very tight throughout. I'll be playing this one a lot.

SAWYER BROWN ARE AS GREAT AS THEY EVER WERE. I WOULD RECOMEND THIS CD TO ANYONE!

I like all of the songs but 'Mission Temple Fireworks Stand', 'Tarzan and Jane' and Sawyer Brown's cover of 'Keep our hands to yourself' are really the best in this collection. I think Sawyer Brown is the best thing that every came from 'Star Search' (for you young one's, Star Search was a talent show a long long time ago in a place known as the United States of America :P )

This is got to be one of Sawyer Brown's best cds ever. The upbeat song Mission Temple Fireworks Stand is a favorite at my house. My 2 yr old daughter loves to dance to that song. I really like They Don't Understand myself. I think it has a lot of meaning in today's world. How many of us actually take the time to get to know our neighbors? In today's hurried up life I don't think many of us do. I know this song has affected how I treat others now and also has made me stop and look around and try to learn more about the people I come in contact with. I also like the remake of Keep Your Hands To Yourself. I like it way more than the orginal.
I definetely recommend buying this album!!!!
SBFC