Customer Reviews

Risk

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

 

 

I read a glowing review of this new CD from Ten Shekel Shirt that made me take a chance and buy it without listening to it first. I am very glad I did. This album has been compared to Coldplay by some, and I might say it sounds like Coldplay meets Counting Crows, BUT without being derivative. (Translation: they are not just some Christian band trying to mimic a popular band's sound - they have their own style).

Risk mixes more rocking tunes like "Risk" and "This Story" ("I'm haunted by the hope of something more. I haven't been here very long. Easily I could get this story all wrong..." with more thoughtful, melodic tunes like "Cheer Up" and "February" (the latter a haunting tribute to the day the lead vocalist and songwriter lost his mother and brother in a car accident).

Risk has both depth and power to it. I put it in my car CD player last week, and it is still there! If you like bands that have their own sound, are original, and take their craft seriously, then I highly recommend this CD to you. One can hope that the Christian music industry encourages and promotes more bands of this kind of quality (and like Jars of Clay & Caedmon's Call). These bands seem to take seriously, "Whether you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31) and "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy" (Ps. 33:3). Can't wait to hear their next CD!

Though "Risk" has managed to slip under the radar, it is one of the best Christian CDs to come out in the last five years. One of the criticisms often voiced about Christian artists is their lack of musicianship. This is not the case with this band. Musically excellent and lyrically relevant, with "Risk" Ten Shekel Shirt steps out of the pack of current praise bands and takes a real risk - a risk that pays off magnificently. As impressed as I am by the music on "Risk" the lyrics impress me even more. From the passion of the first track (It all began with a risk...) to the real encouragement of the very catchy "Cheer Up" to the great rocker "This Story" to "Over the Room" (with the great lyric, "The Christ in me will rise to greet your cheek...") to the great comments about our faith walk in "Today" (In a moment I am changed, over time I am changing..), Lamont Hiebert's lyrics are deep and theologically sound. Oh, and, his voice ain't bad, either! The only complaint I have about this CD is its length - it's too short and I want more great music like this! But if you're looking for something deeper than the pop you hear on Christian radio (which seems to want to wrap up Christianity in a nice red bow and ignore all the realities of our world and our faith to the point of irrelevancy), please check out "Risk" - you won't be sorry!

The CD arrived in great condition. CD is fantastic; all songs touch your spirit and draw you closer to praise in a more intimate setting. Be blessed.

I stumbled across Ten Shekel Shirt recently via a compilation disk, and thought I'd get one of their albums. I was not disappointed! Musically they have a sound that is palatable to mainstream yet fresh enough that they maintain their own identity and originality. Lyrically, this also has a bevy of well-written songs. I'd highly recommend this cd!

Ten Shekel Shirt is cool. A great bunch of guys with a sincere passion for God and serving Him. They've been promoting IJM (www.ijm.org) lately, which is awesome.

I must warn you--Risk is not a worship album. They will be releasing a worship album in the next few months to benefit IJM's work.

I still highly recommend this album. It shows progression in the band's creativity. There's a noticeable brit-rock influence ala coldplay and travis (which in my opinion, is a very good thing). :)