Album Rating: 4.0

Zion is such a great track. That's the kind of song that really rewards a close listen and the lyrics are just beautiful.

Album Rating: 4.5

this is superb

how did I not know about these guys

Album Rating: 4.5

They aren't really pushed outside of the Christian market and even there it's only the indie scene where they see any love. Discovered this over 5 years ago and it's come to mean so much to me since.

Album Rating: 4.5

And I'm so happy you love it!

Album Rating: 4.5

Between this band and Sons it's been an oddly active week for me discovering Christian rock, which I generally enjoy but don't typically seek out. One thing I'll say is the lyrics on this album are far less cringey than on that Sons album, so this may actually emerge as my favorite of the two.

Album Rating: 4.5

As much as I love Keep Quiet I agree, this is one of my favourite lyrical records of all-time. The "you're not a corpse and we're not a movement" line in Curse was a profound revelation to me.

Album Rating: 4.0

They definitely have some songs where they get overtly Christian on other albums but it comes from such an earnest place that it never feels cringey, at least in my personal opinion! “Lower Still” from Yet is a really good example of that. they’re as much about struggling with modern Christianity as anything.

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah man, this struck me as on a whole other level tbh. I can't wait to unravel the lyrics across my next several listens. I love the message of this type of music, but always preferred that they be a little more symbolic about their themes rather than just coming out and worshipping. It makes it feel more artful/challenging.

Album Rating: 4.0

My last ever research paper in undergrad was actually about that! Comparing Christian hardcore bands and the way they represent faith compared to a certain sect of Christian hardcore bands (like As I Lay Dying) that use their faith as like a violent call to battle without any use of symbolism. I find it super fascinating!

Album Rating: 4.5

Yep, completely agree. I don't mind super explict lyrics, being a Christian myself obviously (Theocracy is one that does it so well), but when there's room for introspection it's a far more preferable approach. These guys do that marvelously.

Album Rating: 4.0

And that’s why when they do things like “doxology” from Broken Voice it makes them seem so much stronger in their convictions. They can have intense introspection about their own Christianity and still return to basically sing hymns. It makes them feel all the more real and the payoff so much more deserved.

Album Rating: 4.5

That sounds like a good read. Never heard As I Lay Dying. But yeah the more understated and humble about their approach, the better. mwY (which I've never really found to be a "christian" band in any sense so much as just spiritually aware) is a good barometer; their faith comes out through their music but they don't explicitly sing about religion or for the purposes of promoting any particular ideals. Most band's aren't that nuanced and I don't expect them to be, but even this album - from what I heard on first listen - was clear of any obvious/preachy mannerisms which makes it so much easier to enjoy.

Album Rating: 4.5

When it comes to Christian music for me I find that it can often come across as awfully sterile and unrelatable. To me, I'm not so much focused on how explict or vague about faith an artist can be, rather, how rooted is it in the human experience and how I can relate and apply that personally. Going too far into the vague and general leaves no impression whilst swinging into preachy territory often feels like you're being talked to instead of talked with. My Epic is definitely "preachy" but in the way where they allow me to ponder on things myself and see and discover things from a new perspective. They're a true theologians band!

Album Rating: 4.0

I 100% agree! My Epic have preachy lyrics, but never sound like they’re proselytizing. Their lyrics are for them and them alone (same with mewithoutYou), which makes them more human, which makes them, almost ironically, more universal. They raise as many questions as answers, which I feel like is an incredibly brave thing to do in the world of Christian music. They’re so fascinating to analyze. My faith is never a concrete thing for me (as in I’m definitely a believer, but don’t take that for granted), so Christian music always draws me in. The themes are fascinating whether you’re Christian or not.

Album Rating: 5.0

glad to see that rating Sowing!

to me, there is a fine line when it comes to these kind of lyrics, and some bands play it well. there comes a level of musicianship and pure talent in portraying of writing through symbology and thematics that most bands within the “Christian” industry fail to convey in an interesting manner. My Epic on the other fluidly embeds such lyricism so their actually genuinely provoking when it comes to listening to them

Album Rating: 4.5

Sowing I’m shocked you never gave these guys a listen

was this the band with the coffee shop meme

Nah that's Eisley lol

lol after looking at those two green covers I mixed em up

like my coffee

Album Rating: 4.5

There is a very, very high chance that this will wind up being my Album of the Decade. Spinning it again, it just feels right.