Review Summary: You can't stop the chase!
Christian rapper Chris Greenwood, aka Manafest, was at the top of his game with The Chase. In his fourth studio album, he unexpectedly leans more into rock, with more singing choruses, and more guitar riffs.
The opening song, No Plan B, sets the tone for the entire album. Rapping verses and a singing chorus is the basis of every song in this album, with no turning back to Manafest’s comfort zone.
The album takes expeditions into areas like relying on guitar riffs, perfectly exemplified in Bring the Ruckus. It also attempts (and succeeds) in making ballads like Every Time You Run, which is one of three songs on this album that feature Trevor McNevan, lead singer in Thousand Foot Krutch. His influences also shine throughout the album.
The Chase does have its flaws, mostly on the latter half of the record. Married in Vegas is super-ultra cringe, and the last two songs, I’m Better because of You and Breaking Down The Walls fail to deliver any kind of impact.
Other than Married in Vegas, the album actually has really strong lyrics. For the secular listener, songs like Avalanche and Every Time You Run may be skippable for their Christian lyrics, but most of them are quite accessible for everyone.
The honor of the best song of The Chase should go to Fire In the Kitchen. The song is about the two Canadians (the other one is Trevor McNevan, who features on this one too) spreading love to America. It mainly is for laughs, but by the time the chorus processes through your brain, you’ll be headbanging and trying to sing along, even if you don’t know the words.
Manafest delivered a strong dozen tracks with The Chase. I hope that if you haven’t heard it already, you will be on the hunt for it.
-all puns intended-
