Customer Reviews

Wide-Eyed & Mystified

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Despite a Dove Award nomination for Best New Artist, Christian rock band downhere has a small but loyal following. Their lyrics are wonderful, however, and they deserve a wider audience. This CD, their third, just might do it.

It's obvious from the start that this is a rock group. The CD opens with the upbeat "The More." This fun number focuses on the wonder of the love God shows us and our need to stay "Wide Eyed and Mystified" throughout life even as we grow closer to Him. It's got a catchy melody that is guaranteed to get the chorus stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

God's love is the focus of several songs on the project. The slower "A Better Way" reminds us that dying for us proved God's love for all time. It's a very melodic song that works as a fast ballad. The more upbeat "Unbelievable" calls for more songs to recognize how great God's love is. What I love about this song is the bridge. They work lines from "And Can it Be," "Amazing Grace," and the "Hallelujah Chorus" into the song.

Another prominent theme is surrender. Besides the obviously titled "Surrender," there's "Dying to Know You" and "I Will Follow Your Voice." Lyrically, these songs don't have much to add to the myriad of songs written along this theme over the decades, but they are all fun upbeat songs that make me think about the topic yet again. And personally, I can use all the reminders I can get.

The cleverest song on the disc is "The Real Jesus." While the chorus calls begs to see the real Jesus, the verses poke fun at our American version of Him vs. what the Bible portrays. The song brings a smile to my face and is disarming enough to make me think about its serious message.

Another outstanding song is "Little is Much." Another ballad, this song reminds us that God can take all our efforts and use them for His glory. Following this song with the call to go out and work for God in the upbeat "Stir" was incredibly smart.

"1000 Miles Apart" was an early favorite. This folk flavored song calls for reconciliation over the little things we often let divide us.

The final song on the CD ties right back into the beginning. While "The More" was about the desire to know God better, "I Miss You Here" acknowledges that we often stray from God. Another nice rock song, the lyrics stop me short with their honest admission that "I've thrown it all away/I can't believe the distance I can stray."

My one complaint about both of downhere's previous two releases has been the lack of variety between tracks. As you might have noticed with my song descriptions, that isn't a problem here at all. They songs go from upbeat rock to ballads and back again. Yet the songs flow well together and present a cohesive package.

This group deserves a wider audience, and this CD could just be the one to give it to them. It's certainly their strongest release to date. I haven't been able to stop listening to it yet and know I'll enjoy it for a long time to come.

This is one of the best rock releases I've heard in a long time, let alone in the Christian genre. The music is solid, the vocals are impressive (especially the way the two very distinctive leads blend with each other), and the lyrics are thought-provoking. When I first saw that two of the tracks were "Dying to know you" and "The real Jesus," I was worried that it would be just another cliched Christian offering, but these guys are much deeper than that. This album is well worth a listen.

Well, I have been listening to Downhere's new album for about five days now and after about ten listens I am sold on it. This album is a winner! These songs are all complete both musically and lyrically and you will genuinely enjoy listening to them and pondering the message contained within.

Mark Martel and Jason Germain are improving dramatically in their songwriting and avoid hemming the band into a certain genre. It is simply good music and I don't think it's necessary to compare them to any other band - whether Christian or not. These guys are finding their own voice and, regardless of radio play, their music will spread becuase it ministers to the heart and people will share it.

The early highlights for me have been the piano based songs. Track 3, "A Better Way," is going to be a classic, and I have really enjoyed listening to this one with the lyric sheet in front of me. Also Martel's vocals are really dynamic on this album...you've got to hear what he does in "Remember Me." Anyway, I won't spoil it for you anymore...go buy it, give it at least five listens right away, and let the music touch you.

The first track on this cd alone makes it worth purchasing, but the rest of the album fills out nicely. The guys from downhere are great musicians, but the vocals here are what's really incredible. Far better than most "Christian music" releases lately.

I had the opportunity to first hear Downhere a couple days ago at a concert sponsored by my church - the first stop on their tour to launch this new CD. I was blown away by the music! The songs have a fun, rock and roll "edge" to them, but the lyrics are very powerful. And unlike some rock and roll groups, these guys can really sing! I picked up this CD, and have played it every time I'm in my car. It's a wonderful way to start my day, or great pick-me-up on my way home from work.

How is it that so few people have heard of these guys? I started listening to their first album a few years ago, and I could immediately tell that they're extraordinarily gifted musicians - I've been hooked ever since. "So Much for Substitutes" was probably more impressive musically than the first album, but it was a bit dark and thus an acquired taste. "Wide-Eyed and Mystified" is a truly brilliant addition to the previous two albums, with a wide variety of musical styles, and a continuing trend of lyrics with substance. Unlike most fluffy Christian rock I'm hearing these days, it's evident that the guys of Downhere understand the rich depths of theology and are producing more than just catchy riffs and sugar highs for the seeking masses. Listening to any of their albums and especially this one, I'm refreshed that I'm not the only one weary of the times we live in. "I Will Follow...", "The Real Jesus," and "I Miss You Here" resonate with me on that note. "A Better Way," "Little is Much," and "Unbelievable" keep reminding me of my identity in Christ, and I relate so well to the anointed passion that went into those songs. Beyond the depth and theology, this is definitely an album that I'd listen to just for musicianship. If you've never heard this group's vocal talent, you'll be amazed, even if you're not really a musician. I could go on and on about the eclectic variety of influences I hear, from Keith Green, a very distinct Queen tribute, and possibly even Kevin Max. (Where did that vibrato technique come from?) The reality is that no amount of words could do this album justice, and I think it's well worth buying.

I love Christian music but am always on the listen for the unusually talented and "unusual" as far as Christian music goes. Unfamiliar with downhere, I first heard Better Way on the radio and was instantly enthralled. Rare is the CD in which I like every single song and this is one of them. There isn't a track that's redundant, each is a masterpiece and the lyrics are especially deep. Jason Germain has a wonderful,smooth, rich baritone-he reminds me of the beach boys for some reason. But Marc Martel has one of the best vocals I have ever heard, secular or Christian. Listening to his voice is like "hearing" fine art..I purchased the sophmore CD (So Much For Substitutes) just to hear more of that voice. References in other reviews to Freddie Mercury aren't far off the mark. He could be, in fact, superior. And all to the Glory of God. The music, lyrics, and vocals are all wonderful, rich, thought-provoking and satisfying!

WOW!! Wide-Eyed and Mystified, the 3rd studio album by Canada's Downhere (my favorite band) and 1st with Centricity Records is literally Unbelievable in its greatness. Jars of Clay got me into Christian music and is still the standard for me, however I first saw Downhere in 2001 and I was blown away. Larger Than Life, Great Are You and Protest To Praise from the debut album made Downhere my favorite band, slightly ahead of Jars of Clay. Great for fans of Sanctus Real and Leeland as well.

This album starts rocking with The More, based on 2 Peter 1:5-8 and is an amazing reminder of how to grow in our walk with Jesus. Surrender keeps the Marc Martel/Jason Germain co-lead vocals and amazing harmonizing going. Then, my all-time favorite Downhere song A Better Way brings me to tears as I praise Jesus for His sacrifice. The album continues to amaze with Little Is Much,Stir and The Real Jesus-a stirring depiction of cultural references, which are all among the best songs by this underrated band. You can't go wrong with Downhere.

This album is so fresh and full of life. The lyrics are amazing and original, and the lead singer's voice is out of this world, singing high never sounded so good. It is a must buy in my opinion!!

These guys never cease to amaze me. Their new album Wide-Eyed and Mystified is another great showcase of their talents as well as their dedication to Christ.

What first turned me on to this group was seeing them live at AtlantaFest- they put on a show that exhibited good humor, EXCELLENT musicality, and above all a true passion and love for God. After purchasing their first two releases, I noticed that (unlike most bands) hardly ANY of their songs sound the same. They bring something new to the table with each tune, so you never hear the intro to a song and wonder which number it is. Every song stands on its own.

What amazes me the MOST, however, is their ability to sound so different as a band... sometimes they sound like Queen (if only because AWESOME lead singer Marc Martel can sing just like Freddie Mercury), sometimes they can sound like Remy Zero, The Shins, etc. But then they also have their own distinct sound. There is nothing like hearing Marc Martel's high, uniquely superb voice mesh with Jason Germain's smoother, deeper voice. It's unbelievable.

Though all the songs on this album are magnificent, my favorite is "The Real Jesus", a satirical but deep look at America's portrayal of Jesus.

If you've never heard Downhere, I strongly suggest getting their debut album first, if only because "Great Are You" remains to be one of the best Christian songs out there.

Downhere never disappoints...beautiful and deep lyrics, outstanding vocals, and dynamite music.