Once Upon a Shattered Life [ENHANCED]

Seventh Day Slumber

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Bec Recordings / Emd
• ASIN: B00076ONJQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,029 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Much has been made in press circles about Joseph Rojas and his real-life story of redemption. While there is no denying the authority he holds when he sings about how God has changed his life, it's time to focus his music. Once Upon A Shattered Life, the band's sophomore effort, is truly a breakout release and one worthy to be heard. There are many assets to this group's music including Rojas' powerful vocal presence, much akin to the likes of Mac Powell (Third Day) or Bart Millard (Mercy Me). Newcomer Ray Fryoux lays down a bed of steady beats and anchors a solid rhythm section with bassist Joshua Schwartz. Meanwhile, Jeremy Holderfield provides riveting guitar work throughout, especially on tracks like "Shattered Life" and "Chris' Letter." Smooth rockers like "I Believe" and "Brand New Man" display a simplicity and catchiness reminiscent of Jeremy Camp or Switchfoot. But while Slumber's modern rock sound may draw parallels, this band makes its own mark on tracks like "Make Believe" and "Back in Time," showcasing an offset rhythm and creative guitar work. The band can even bring it down as it does on the two softer closing numbers, "Masquerade" and "Oceans from the Rain." The release is a confident step forward for the band both creatively and (hopefully) commercially and should propel them into the upper echelons of Christian music. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good stuff, March 2, 2005

By	T. Milke "tmilke1" (Ontario, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ah, a christian group that isn't afraid to put Christ into the lyrics. Like SDS's previous album, "Picking up the Pieces", you get hints of things gone wrong, and how Jesus helped them through their troubles.
The track "I Believe" was a rework of a song from the 25th Chapter album. When taken together, they're very effective. Lyrics that were once "I want to believe in something", have become "I Believe in Jesus" There's a very powerful message there, once all the lyrics start to register. It's really too bad that the original song wasn't snuck on this cd too.

Musically, these guys remind me of slightly softer version of Kutless. A few songs were a little slow for my tastes, but that might be because I've been listening to too much 80/90s metal lately.

The "enhanced" portion of this cd is a weblink to the BEC homepage. That's it. Nothing special there.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their best cd by far!!!, November 24, 2005

By	W. Tanner "Rock fanatic" (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you like any of their previous cds, you will really enjoy this one. There is not one bad song on this entire disc. The production on this album puts the sound far above their previous releases. The songs range from soft rock to heavy. So, no matter what you like, you will definitley find something you like on this disc.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great, May 3, 2005

By	Matt Mabry "Matt Mabry" (Knoxville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently saw Seventh Day Slumber at a Skillet concert in Knoxville, TN. I bought there CD when I was there and I thought they were great at the show and very hard rock and sounded like 12 Stones or Demon Hunter but when I bought there CD I found the studio found them more sounding like Kutless or Everyday Sunday. That isn't at all a bad thing just not what I expected. After I got over that I found it to be a very good album the only thing I thought it was missing was that one great song that makes the CD complete. Its a bunch of average to good songs but its missing that one really good song that completes the package on a good album. It sounds to me like a collection of B-Sides. Still very good and I would recommed it to any Christian Rock fan who likes music in the middle between say Kutless and Skillet there right in the middle.