Customer Reviews

Momentum

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First of all, let me say that I generally consider CCM to be rather obnoxious. So when I received this CD from my Mom (who had just learned that I listen to music with explicit lyrics), I assumed it was a misguided attempt to balance out my collection. However, I pride myself on having an open mind, and gave "Momentum" a spin.

Wow. I had never been a big fan of dc Talk, so I was completely blindsided. I had expected more evidence of the band's slide from their peak at "Jesus Freak". What I got instead is a mix of rap-rock which rates next to Linkin Park as opposed to Limp Bizkit, and laid-back rap in the vein of De La Soul.

For the most part, this album is awesome. The best tracks include "Get This Party Started", "What's Going Down" (the best cover of "For What It's Worth" I've ever heard), the title track, and my favorite part, the filler.

The only song that I don't really like is "Extreme Days" which sounds too much like an attempt to get the attention of secular skateboarders/rollerbladers. Other than that, this CD is extremely good. Give it a try, even if you don't like most CCM.

I was introduced to Toby Mac at Creation, a massive Christian music festival. He was the first group that really got the crowd going. I loved all of the songs and the atmosphere, and that led to my purchase of his CD.

Let me say up front that I am not the biggest hardcore fan in the world, and I certainly do not like rap. However, there is something about this CD that makes it amazing. Perhaps it is the lyrics, which are among the most meaningful that I have encountered in a CD. Maybe it is the production. Everything flows, and musical effects are placed wonderfully. All of the songs are well-placed. The opening song is perfect, and it just goes from there. There are a few humorous interludes placed, which include Fred from Toby's Macintosh and Toby's son Truett rapping.

In conclusion, buy this CD. You can't go wrong. I'm not a fan of the genre and I love it, and people who like the genre love it. It is an excellent CD.

I know what has been missing from dcTalk of late. It's Toby Mac! Okay, so he's still with the group, but this CD showcases exactly what dcTalk could have been after Jesus Freak. Don't get me wrong. I liked Supernatural, and I realize that dcTalk is the sum of several different talented artists. But dcTalk seems to be becoming more and more Kevin Max (sorry, I can't bring myself to say "K-Max" yet), and less Toby and Tait.
This CD sets all that straight. Here is the missing rap element from dcTalk. And here is a songwriter that knows how to actually, well, write. From "Irene," which I swear could be a Wyclef Jean track, from the guitar solo to the style of the song itself, to "Momentum," Toby Mac has a killer album filled with great songs. Of the three solo albums, Toby Mac wins my award for best "should've been dc" and "best use of son on an album." Buy it now, now, now I tell you. Now!!!!

Not being necessarily immersed in the Christian Rock genre, I had no idea that the fellows from DC Talk were doing a sort of break to work on solo projects. Then I heard "Extreme Days" and asked someone who sang it and then asked who the heck TobyMac was. My curiosity led to purchasing "Momentum" soley for the song "Extreme Days" but I ended up loving the rest of the CD. The intro song "Get This Party Started" is a great way to start off an album. Everytime I play this song, it pumps me up and I'm ready for the day. What amazes me the most about TobyMac is his rap skills. Boy's got skills! He also has an amazing singing voice which is perfectly demonstrated on this album along with his rap talents. "Do You Know" starts off very melodic, and kinda keeps that same pace throughout the song, but Toby's rapping makes it hardcore. I was amazed when I listened to "Somebody's Watching" and realized that Toby had borrowed part of that song from Rockwell's 1984 hit "Somebody's Watching Me." Toby gave that song an update and made the lyrics mean something completely different. Toby knows his music!! This album has a great balance of hard-rocking songs and slower, more melodic songs. Overall, this album rocks and I am so glad that there is Christian music out there that has a great beat but an even better message. This is definitely a great album for Christians who are looking for something cool to listen to.

First off, let me say that i am a MAJOR dc Talk fan so i was reluctant to try out the solo material. I thought after dc Talk was at the very top and most memorable part of their musical career, they had messed up trying out a break in the over-ten-year norm (completely mutial!). But being the dc fan i am and getting a tiny dose of the hit "Extreme Days", i decided to buy-and-try. WOW!!! Smart move Toby. Toby got to show off his rap skills in the early dc days but slowed things down a bit when he strarted to show off his singing talents more so than his rapping. Well Toby really got his image back on the jammin'est album of the year. I really like his work on the heavy rap song "Get This Party Started", justifyingly introducing the album, "Momentun", "Yours", and "Extreme Days". But my favorites go out to his mellowed songs like the one dedicated lovingly to his son titled "Do You Know", "Irene", an uplifter, and one that drew me in, a slowed down, soul and love filled but none-the-less enjoyable song, "Love Is In The House". I'm glad that Toby, being the jammin' rocker he is, is a Christian on the good-guy side dedicated to Christ, which should not be overlooked. I think this is a really enjoyable cd so try it out!!!

And so a giant is born. Oh yes, folks, this is it. In fact, it has been it for quite a while, but I just started my career reviewing products at Amazon.com, so I'm just now getting around to tellin' ya'll bout' Toby!

I bought this CD at Creationfest (East Coast) two years ago; man does it rock. 18 Tracs that kick. Tobymac delivers the goods like no other in the business. Right from the beginning he shoots out to "Get The Party Started" and then ask the question "What's Goin' Down". He then tells us the story of Irene and a little bit about "T-Mac" himself. From there, we board the "J-Train", pushin' the jam with K. Franklin - who always tears up the turf, after which we're asked "Do You Know" where you're headed. We slow down long enough to meet Toby's son on a little trac called "Tru-Dog" and then right back to building "Momentum".

Wow, that's just the first half of this CD! I'd tell you bout' the rest, but it could go on forever.

If you haven't added this CD to your collection, Jesus Freak or not, you're making a huge mistake. Tobymac is the real deal, the real talent, and above all, a real believer.

Break out the debit card and order this underpriced work of art...it might be the best decision you've ever made.

Peace-out!

www.therunninggirl.com

When i first went out to get this cd the only song i had heard off of it was Extreme Days & that was reason enough to buy it even if the rest of the cd wasent that good... But man, i was totally blown away. This is the best cd of all time! Toby Rocks from the first time you hit play down to the very end. I love the Guitar solo background touch on the song Irene & the message really speaks to me. I expect Extreme days & Momentum to be to HUGE hits for a long time to come! When i first went to buy this album i thought it was going to be good, but i was way off, this album isn't good it's legendary & deserves it's place above all the top secular artist this year, no one came close to the explosion Toby brought. It's sad he won't get noticed as much as he should just because he's a "Christian Artist". Even if you don't like hard rock this album has songs on it for you. I would suggest this album above any other if you don't have it you should. Oh & one more thing be sure to listen to the words, they could change your life!

Momentum captures the spirit and energy of being a follower of Christ, while at the same time cramming in so many high-powered, hook-filled rockers and smooth grooves that even your most Godless friends will have a hard time resisting. The biggest highlights of the album are its adrenaline-rushing hard rock songs, like the opener, "Get This Party Started", which does exactly what its title promises. "What's Going Down", "Yours", and the title track deliverer incredibly catchy and jamming choruses that'll stick in your mind for days. But best of all is the smash hit "Extreme Days", which takes the best of rock and the best of hip-hop and fuses it together into one amazingly explosive and memorable track.

Toby also finds time to slow things down a bit in soul-drenched songs like "Love Is In The House", with its engaging, old school-style melody, the soothing "Somebody's Watching", and "Irene", which offers an invitation of hope during a person's lowest moments in life. Elsewhere on the album, Toby teams up with Kirk Franklin on "J Train", an undeniably enjoyable hip-hop tune that fans of Franklin's "Stomp" or "Revolution" are sure to love.

The only possible complaint someone might have with Momentum is the brief interludes between songs, which can be somewhat obtrusive at times (although the bit with Toby's son on "Tru-Dog" is classic). That's a very minor gripe, however. From start to finish, Momentum delivers the goods, providing a powerful presentation of great music and God's amazing love. A 5-star winner.

This CD has very cool effects, excellent singing talent, and features other singers as well. Below I list some track descriptions:
1) Get This Party Started
This track really gets the party started, and the opening even resembles the remake of "We will rock you" that you hear in "A Knight's Tale". It lays down heavy tunes, and is a great way to get your party started, as the title states.
3) Irene
Well, to put it simply, Irene sounds like a Jamaican/Latin/mild rap mix. It has a nice island feel that has a tune you'll remember.
4) Toby's Mac
Nice effects; short, but the effects really add a lot of "Momentum" to this track.
5) J Train
I dislike gospel music, but this is more of a Rock/Gospel/Rap song. It features Kirk Franklin and others, and some high-pitched
"BeeGee" voices.
6) Do You Know
A remake of a kind of lame old song, but this remake really sounds sweet. The accompanying "Mary Mary" like voices add style and emphasis.
8) Momentum
If you listen to most CD's, the title song doesn't really ever become a hit or a really good song. But push all that aside, because Momentum (the song) really holds up the CD with hard rock tunes that will blow the roof.
9) Yours
This is a very hard rock song that could stand next to P.O.D. and
not be lame. After Momentum, this song really brings up the energy level.
10) Quiet Storm
This is more of a short interview than a song, but makes a nice lead up to Wonderin' Why.
11) Wonderin' Why
This explains his solo outing and has a hip-hop tune and nice tune.
12) Somebody's Watching
This is by far one of the BEST songs on the CD. Besides being featured in WOW 2002, it has a style like no other song that you will love. The lyrics are cool too, with verses like:
"Sometimes I feel God in the middle of the night
In the cool of the shade of the bright sunlight"
A+++++++++++
14)Love Is In The House
A unique song that is very good to join in on if you were at a concert. The tune will stay in your head.
15) Extreme Days
Very hard and very cool. A smash party song.
17) In The Air
A song that has good effects and a cool sound. It isn't a party song as it is softer than most of the other tracks, but the lyrics encourage you to minister to others without sounding lame.

Momentum is a must-have CD and I hope I have helped you to decide whether it is right for you or not.

Here's a song-by-song description of the record:

1.) "Get this Party Started" One of the best songs that I own. Two minutes of great rock.

2.) "What's Goin' Down" A great rap-rock mix.

3.) "Irene" A calmer song, yet good.

4.) "Toby's Mac" A halarious intro, led by Mr. Robo-voice.

5.) "J-Train" Very up-beat. Of course, Kirk Franklin guest stars.

6.)"Do You Know" This one is a lot like "Irene." I'm assuming this is to the MacKeean children. Very creative.

7.) "Tru-Dog" Another good intro. This one with Toby's kid.

8.) "Momentum", 9.) "Yours" Ok, this is probably the best 6 minutes of rock that you can get without pressing the "skip" button. I mean, these are COMPLETLEY AWESOME!

10.) "Quiet Storm" Bad intro.

11.)"Wonderin' Why" Looking back to the dc Talkin' days.

12.) "Somebody's Watching Me" A hippitty-hoppittying good song.

13.) "Triple Skinny" Mr. Robo-voice orders coffee in this intro.

14.) "Love is in the House" Mixes rap and soft rock.

15.) "Extreme Days" Put this in the same class as "Momentum" and "Yours" Totally cool.

16.) "Don't Bring me Down" A two-minute blurb. It's still cool , though.

17.) "In the Air" A dreamy song, with lyrics based on a dream.

18.) "Afterwords" A waste of a minute.

Except for a few bad intros, this CD is TOTALLY AWESOME. Add it to your collection.