Roaring Lambs

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 6, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Squint Entertainment
• ASIN: B00004TLYJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #198,848 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Not only is Roaring Lambs packed with fine artists, it has vision, superior quality, and brand-new, unreleased songs. The disc is a companion piece to the late Emmy Award-winning television producer Bob Briner's respected, thought-provoking book Roaring Lambs, which challenges Christians to get out from behind the church walls and become culture-shaping influences in society at large. With songs that are based on and in response to this book, musicians who were influenced by Briner have joined together to sustain his challenge. These artists, well respected for their creative integrity, have each already brought their work beyond the Christian subculture and into mainstream society. With old-timers like Steve Taylor and the cutting-edge band Delirious, the result is some of the best Christian music to date. Catchy, innovative, and diverse, this project hits its mark, raising the standard for Christian musicians and culture-shapers everywhere. --Israel Button

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the Roar that shook the world, June 12, 2000

By	Christopher J. Ouellette (NH, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is based on the book by Bob Bringer (by the sametitle) The Thesis of Roaring Lambs is that the Church of America (inhole, not denominations) is one of the largest organizations in the country. Despite this it has the least effect on the culture of any organization. Bob Bringer contests that the reason for this is Christians retreating from "culture shaping venues" and not being "salt and light." the Book Roaring Lambs truly is a "simple plan to affect your cultur." This is a great album, and if it inspirers you to read the book it is even better. This album ranges in style and everyone is at the top of there game. These people saw the Vision that Bob Bringer pointed out in his book, to Reach the culture for Christ by being a positive influence in it, and not just cursing it. Highlights include the first duet by Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapmen (if you like that sort of thing) The first new stuff to come from STEVE TAYLOR in a long time (a song that has hints of industrial with lots of new Orleans piano it's very cool) , new stuff from defunct PFR and a great song from Sixpence (accessible like Kiss Me but not as pop-ie or dippy) Michael Tate (of DC Talk) teams up with Ashley Cleveland for a great Gospel/rocker "Salt and Light". The songs in this album all focus on getting out there and living your faith so that other can see. Being a city on the hill, instead of a giant church organization that has NO effect on the culture that it's in.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Mixed Bag, April 26, 2004

By	SirTheory - See all my reviews

You can split this cd into two parts, kind of like Jekyll and Hyde. The one side is the generic CCM standard, and the second side being the more obscure and higher quality tracks.

The two sides, thankfully are pretty even. Throw away Jars of Clay, Ashley Cleveland (who would have done a better job without Tait's "assistance"), SCC & Smitty, PFR, and Deliriou5? right away. Boring songs. But perhaps your average CCM fan would enjoy?

For me, there are three standout tracks worthy of attention. First, the Steve Taylor track. It's quirky like fans have come to expect, and since he is more or less retired from performing, a surprise. The Ladysmith Black Mambazo track is a refreshing change from the pace with it's African vocal arrangements. And the Over the Rhine track is also quality with it's meandering piano and the majestic vocals of Karin Bergquist.

Sixpence None The Richer delivers what fans have come to expect from them, a solid pop tune with Leigh Nash's trademark angelic vocals. While some people complain at the song's difference from their self titled cd, this is hardly surprising considering that Sixpence has been a band to evolve and not meld to any preconceptions. I give the song two thumbs up.

Also enjoyable was the Bill Mallonee & VOL track. I can understand why that track isn't very popular amoung reviewers. If you're not into their alt.country sound, you won't like the track.

The other two songs are ok. Ginny Owens has her moments, and the Burlap song is good, but doesn't quite touch some of the material from the full length.

Three stars for the killer, but there is, indeed, too much filler.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Than We Want to Handle, February 13, 2005

By	E. Holmes "E. Holmes" (Michigan and Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

I hear listeners complain- and I often agree- that CCM music is too much fluff and not enough substance, that you could just as easily insert the word "baby" for "Jesus" to secularize the song, and no one would know the difference. With that said, the responses to this album seem to indicate that when we are presented with a work of greater depth and thought, it remains on the back of the shelf gathering dust. Listeners complain that it wasn't what they expected, that it wasn't their usual, easily digested fluffy mix. They want a solution, but they don't like working through the answer. This album is an incredible, eclectic mix from talented writers and musicians who bring more to the table than a pre-made batch for trend-chasing success. The lyrics feature inspired metaphors with thought-provoking depth, but it takes a little more attention and contemplation to truly enjoy the layers of this album than would your average CCM pop piece. This is a work of great subtlety and taste, but it is not for easy listening.

I very much enjoyed "Daisies and Roses" by Burlap to Cashmere's Stephen Delopoulos and "Headstrong" by Jars of Clay both for their beauty and for their slight tilt from each of the bands' usual sounds. "Daisies and Roses" has a slightly more folk-colored appeal, very characteristic of Mr. Delopoulos's personal release "Me Died Blue." "Headstrong" is in a sense a pre-cursor to the sound of Jars' more recent release "Who We Are Instead." The refreshing and excellently executed rhythm and vocals of "Akehlulek Ubaba" is a great highlight of the album.

There were only a couple of mild disappointments from line up that is, on the whole, stellar. Ginny Owens displayed a much lower level of instrumental sophistication than on her personal releases. "Out There" by Mr. Smith and Mr. Chapman was a very easy, extremely mellow, and on the whole uninspired piece. I have heard far better work from each of them, particularly on some of there earlier releases, so there does not seem to be any accounting for this anomaly.

On the whole, an excellent compilation for someone weary of the average, run-of-the-mill CCM fare. Add a little bit of eclectic, spiritually sound spice to your collection with this album.