Revive

Billboard Magazine has named Revive one of the bands to watch out for in 2009, and with good reason. Having signed with Third Day’s Consuming Fire Productions, subsequently Provident Music, the Christian devision of Sony BMG, they have a lot of promotional backing for their new album. Not to mention that they have already opened for Third Day in Australia in 2007, in the US in 2008, and will be opening for them again on this Spring’s Revelation tour. But just having good backing and support from a mega group is not all this young group of musicians from Down Under have going for them; they also have the talent to make the most of the opportunities that have opened up so quickly for them.

Their American debut album, co-produced by Mac Powell of Third Day, is a solid set of pop/rock tunes that is clearly aimed for the Christian market, and will likely get plenty of airplay on Christian radio. Nothing overtly unique or original here, with obvious and stated influences like Steven Curtis Chapman, and U2, yet they clearly have what it takes to forge ahead, taking such sounds and influences to new heights. Chorus of the Saints has a lot of energy with a good balance of pop, melody driven vocals, and rock driven guitar. Dave Hanbury’s vocals are surprisingly mature for his age and experience, and the background vocals of the band provide good support. The guitar work of Tyler Hall also shows a lot of depth and intensity. Combined with the solidity of the bass playing of Rich Thompson, and the decisive drumming of Mike Tenkate, it all comes together to form a competent musical team that has the potential to go far.

The band first got their start when Hanbury and Hall started playing and singing together, developing a sort of folksy, acoustic guitar performance that got them plenty of opportunities to be heard and to gain a following in their home town of Sydney, Australia. After a time the duet decided to add a rhythm section, so Thompson and Tenkate joined in to fill out the sound. After recorded three albums and being engaged in extensive touring in their homeland, they jumped at the opportunity to open for Third Day when they came to tour Australia. The American band was impressed, which eventually lead Revive to relocate to Atlanta in order to be mentored by the kings of Christian southern rock.

The opening track, “Chorus of the Saints,” is being pushed as the first single release, which has already gotten airplay on some US stations. It’s a good choice, but certainly not the strongest commercially appealing song on the album. Songs like “The Truth Is,” “You Know (featuring Mac Powell on backup vocals),” and the infectiously melodic and upbeat “Don’t Look Anywhere Else” are much stronger in this respect. Even more so, “You’re All I Need” seems the best bet for lots of airplay on Christian radio. It almost screams out the epitome of CCM. Perhaps the most likely tune to crossover into the secular realm is the Switchfoot-ish “Stay,” where as “Power” is a soring praise and worship piece which has potential to become a standard worship song.

One of the most interesting and thought provoking tracks lyrically is “Distant Memories,” which paints some effective word pictures of how quickly forgettable and fleeting life in this world is. But if one is looking for a standout track, “Sit With Me,” both musically and lyrically is perhaps the best cut on the album. With this song the band takes a bit of a departure from the heavy commercial production and focuses on some thoughtful guitar and vocal work that shows there is a lot more potential for originality here than most of the album reflects. Lyrically the song is a creative reminder of the importance of taking the time to know the Lord, not just the time to serve him.

All and all, there are no bad songs on this album, but only one standout. It’s a good start for a young band just getting heard by a wider national audience. The question is, will this first offering lock them into the standard CCM path that it has launched them on, or will they be allowed to take the initiative to stretch beyond it? Time will tell.

Tagged as: Chorus of the Saints, Revive

↓ 6 comments

#1 Matt on March 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Man, I just could not get into this album. Seemed like all the right moves you would expect and that level of predictability just didn’t sit right. But nice review, Roy.

#2 Roy Hershberger on March 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 pm

I know what your saying, Matt. So much great new talent coming up, but most are taking the predictable, safe road. But than they do have to pay all the bills. Perhaps that’s why among independent artists, who don’t have all that overhead, is where more creativity and originality can be found.

#3 Andrew Greenhalgh on March 3rd, 2009 at 9:48 pm

Whew…I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t quite get the hype behind this one. They aren’t bad by any stretch of the imagination but, the next big thing? I just didn’t get that feeling from this disc…

#4 grace s. cartwright on March 13th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

sadly, the way the industry is sitting, not many records are selling, period. the way and the criteria used for signing HAS become very predictable, and bands are getting signed that are very “saleable”. i wish there was more art involved.

anwyays, i actually quite liked this album. safe, yes. but stil catch, radio friendly.

#5 grace s. cartwright on March 13th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

*catchy and radio friendly. i can’t type, obviously.

#6 Melissa on April 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 am

I saw Revive in concert twice and I really like them. They have great stage presence and good songs. I can’t wait until my CDs arrive in the mail!

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