Review Summary: A very well produced album, Move has very good vocals and impressive instrumental moments. Third Day has a message to share, and they share it well through top notch southern rock.
Third Day is one of the top Christian bands in the industry today. They combine an edgy southern rock sound with a country influence and worshipful lyrics. Move is an album that showcases their growth as a band throughout their 15 year history. The album has a mature sound that is very nicely produced and has enough soft songs to satisfy the Time and Southern Tracks fans and enough rock influences to please their Conspiracy no.5 and Revelation fans. They incorporate both sides of this well throughout the album.
The album does tend to sound top heavy as it ends weaker than the first five tracks would suggest it would. It starts out with Lift Up Your Face, an arousing start to the disc. The song is a southern rocker and is a very catchy song, no doubt the lyrics will get stuck in the listeners head. The song has some vocal backing from The Blind Boys of Alabama which is really a good touch. The next song, Make Your Move is a fantastic song and a highlight of the album. It opens with a great bass line that sticks throughout the song, this song really rocks and sounds almost grungy, reminding me of their Conspiracy No. 5 album.
Now we get to a soft song. Children of God features a children's choir which is a nice touch, the highlight of this song though, is the lyrics, which tell how all are God's children and is an encouraging and worshipful song. Third Day's lyrics have always been top notch and never stray from the message they want to tell. Surrender is the next song and this sounds very countryish, this song feels like it could be on country radio stations, and although I am not a fan of country they do pull the song off nicely as it has heavy guitars and a smooth string arraignment.
After this amazing beginning the music starts to run together just a tad. Trust in Jesus, Follow Me There, Gone, What Have You Got To Lose, and I'll Be Your Miracle all sound similar although none is a poor quality track. These songs sound like something a listener would hear on Christian Contemporary radio, using piano leads and acoustic guitars with worshipful, Christian lyrics, those who enjoyed the album Time will love these tracks most likely.
Everywhere You Go is a grooving southern rock hit that has an infectious chorus. The beat of this song is also excellent with driving drum kit work and a lush bass line. Next up is a song that might be heard in a church service someday, Sound of Your Voice has a female vocalist and it works well, the song has effective lyrics and is a very good worship tune. Closing out the album is Don't Give Up Hope which appears is Third Day's way of leaving the listener one a high note, a highlight of the album it tells the listener to always stay encouraged and is an upbeat driving number with crunchy guitar and a good bass part.
Mac Powell's vocal talents fit this band very well. He has a country twang and when combined with the bands instrumentals makes for some very diverse music. Third Day is a very creative and unique band which cannot be said about a lot of Christian Contemporary artists. The fact that Third Day keeps growing from album to album is a good sign.
The production on this album is excellent, everything from the luscious bass lines to the twangy vocals jump out of the speakers at you. The soft moments are handled very well and do not come of as too glossy or under-produced, I would call this one of the finest albums in terms of production to come out of the Christian Market.
Third Day's latest album is a triumph for them. The album is very diverse and pleases all their fans by incorporating beautiful slower songs and southern influenced driving rock numbers. The lyrics are top notch-conveying a Christian message and never appearing cheesy or over preachy. This is an excellent album, the highlight of Third Day's successful career and a highlight of CCM music in 2010.
