Customer Reviews

Perceptions

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

 

 

On this band's second outing, and only a mere sixteen months after their first release, This Beautiful Republic delivers a solid offering. Yet, a few problems arise while listening to this album.

Although the tunes are catchy and likeable, this performance is nothing new from their earlier release, but it's a concrete effort nonetheless. Most of the songs start out slow and then whine with guitars and big beats, which the band pulls off very well, but it gets lost within the other tracks. Big hitting rock anthems in tracks "No Turning Back", "Last Second Chance", and "Stay with You Tonight" stick with you and make you want to listen again. Yet other songs tend to feel out of place on this album---as if the guys couldn't decide what avenue they wanted the album to flow down.

Lyrically Perceptions is extremely straight forward. Themes of brokenness, trust, faith, and all out praise can be easily picked up from tracks like "Learning to Fall", "Beautifully Broken", "My God", and "The Ones". The single "For the Life of Me" carries a strong point as words drip with honestly and worship and singer Ben Olin has the ability to breathe air into the listener through his voice.

The band often wavers from simple pop to outright rock, throwing in a bit of punk and screams for flavor. This Beautiful Republic has created an interesting combination of spice and flare, and comparisons to the bands Switchfoot and Relient K come to mind. Fans of Republic will like this sophomore record, but those looking for something new might want to look elsewhere.

I stumbled upon this band only a couple of months ago. Today I have both of their cds. This band has a wonderful ability to make their songs speak directly to you. Their sound is unique, for it is a combination of harder rock with a subtle alternative feel. They are an original breath of fresh air for a christian music lover.

Awesome cd with many great songs. You will enjoy every song on this cd. even the slower songs sound great. I love learning to fall, point between extremes, pain, and surrender saves my life. Soilid cd overall.

I came across this band on you tube by accident and loved the messages of the songs I I got a 10 dollar gift certificate and since I live in a small town I order the cd it is really good and My son loves it as well.

This band reminds me of bands like Cool Hand Luke, Anberlin, & Further Seems Forever. I always love finding really good edgier Christian music. I love how they're not afraid to get really deep in their writing. The Christian walk isn't easy & it's so often sugar-coated. They've done a great job of describing what it's like to hit rock bottom & striving to seek God's will. I also like how they included a short description of why they wrote each song--it makes the songs that much more personal & easier for the listener to connect with the lyrics. This album was well done.

So, "Even Heroes..." was amazing, but I dare to say that "Perceptions" tops it. Unbelievable the depth of the lyrics and the range of the musicians. A must have for any lover of Christian rock. Simply put, I LOVE IT!!! and I think you will too!!!