Review Summary: Showbread Throws Me For A Loop
Showbread is a band that has never been afraid to test the boundaries; from their controversial song "Dead By Dawn", which was condoned by Christian audiences for it’s glorification of horror movies, to their fifth album
Age of Reptiles, which showed a more rock oriented style instead of the normal spazzy style the band was known for. They continued this trend with their double album
Anorexia/Nervosa, which was banned in Christian record stores for it’s very dark lyrical content; but the band crossed the line of change in their newest album
Who Can Know It?
After the release of the fore mentioned double album, Showbread decided to drop off of Solid State/Tooth and Nail Records, in order to self-finance an album to have complete creative control, and because the band wanted to use their music as a ministry for their beliefs. The goal was to raise 13,000 dollars by August 13th, and the band easily eclipsed the goal, with over 30,000 being raised in just a few short months. This was an impressive feat, but what does the end product sound like?
Showbread is best known musically for their style called “Raw Rock”, utilizing raw guitars and music along with screamed and sung vocals, but Who Can Know It? Is a complete departure from this style. The band still rocks musically on songs like "Myth of a Christian Nation", and "A Man With A Hammer", but gone is the screaming. There is not a single track with a single screamed lyric, instead there is Josh Dies singing throughout. Most songs are similar sounding to Showbread’s ballads from other albums, such as "Matthias Replaces Judas", and lyrically the album is very heavily Christian. The band said they wanted to be a ministry, and this album is close to bordering on being a worship album. This is a big departure from their earlier sound, even their most recent album,
The Fear of God.
Even with this shocking change, Showbread still puts out an impressive album. The guitars make use of effects and different tones to keep things interesting, and the rest of the instruments do their part collectively. This is not a musically technical album; instead Showbread forces you to listen to the lyrics and mood of the songs, which is pulled off surprisingly well. They make use of keys and synths, and it just works like a charm. Josh’s vocals are soft and soothing, really getting the message the band wants to convey across.
If you were a fan of the band’s previous albums, then I suggest you check out
Who Can Know It? It is a good listen, and is something different from one of music’s most diverse bands. It will throw off many listeners, but if you give it a chance, it will ring beautifully in your ears.
