From its early roots in the Passion movement to a steady streak of commercially and critically acclaimed recordings, the David Crowder Band has always defied the laws of sonic gravity. For starters, the group combines electronic programming with acoustic and electric instrumentation, alongside quirky though relatable lyrics, bathed in praise but avoiding cliché. The band truly turned up the heat on its last proper studio album,
A Collision, and
Remedy is the next natural step—bridging the vertical direction of yesteryear with a progressive new means of presentation in both spiritual content and sound.
From a pure production standpoint, this new disc bounces between super charged plugged-in rockers, dance-laden throw downs and sparse but spine-chilling ballads. Opening cut “The Glory of It All” hints at all of the above, kicking off as a tender prayer before accelerating with congregational appeal and a series of subtly programmed flourishes sure to put a groove in worshippers’ steps. “Can You Feel It?” dives much deeper in the club direction, thumping with insistency over jarring guitars and Crowder’s delightfully drawn out cries of worship.
“We Won’t Be Quiet” takes an even more idiosyncratic direction (think an overly caffeinated Beck channeling Cheap Trick) carried by the anthemic cries of “we’ll shout it out loud” over fierce guitar licks from surprisingly random special guest Ted Nugent. But Crowder & Co. are equally effective in the more meditative setting, especially during the piano bathed “You Never Let Go” and the six string-centered
“Surely We Can Change.” The latter presents the empowering theme of finding peace through Christ, sustained through substantive lines like: “Where there is suffering, bring serenity/For those afraid, help them be brave.” And bravery is perhaps the most appropriate adjective to summarize the entire road trip through Remedy, sure to resound with power no matter what the pace.
_____________________Review By: Andy Argyrakis
