Skillet
It’s sort of fitting that Skillet’s emergent, progressive album Comatose preceded the aptly titled Awake project. The pounding quartet woke the nation from Christian rock slumber with their 2006 effort that launched them to the top of their game. They even managed to sweep up a Grammy-nomination, and took home the Dove Award for Comatose. Now they will keep their listeners fully Awake with a truly remarkable follow-up.
First single “Hero” will quickly remind fans of their tight sound, now with the added delight of drummer Jen Ledger’s vocal that sails effortlessly next to front-man John Cooper’s. The band also released a second single in July, “Monster”, a growling song that seems to mirror the biblical fight against sin, “It’s scratchin on the walls/In the closet, in the halls/It comes awake, and I can’t control it/Hidin’ under the bed/In my body, in my head/Why won’t somebody come and save me from this?”. Things tone down just a little with ballad, “Don’t Wake Me”, where Cooper proves his vocals have come a long way from their 2001 release, Alien Youth, where his voice was a far cry from the power-grit that he has polished. Paired with Ledger’s beautiful harmonies, it’s obvious that they can pull off the ballads right alongside the two throbbing radio singles.
Musically, they are still tight and flawless, though Ledger’s drum lines are a little more simple than previous drummer Lori Peters. Guitarist Ben Kasica is right on target, armed with some unbelievable bass lines from Cooper, who shares the dual role of bassist and lead vocal. Kasica slams his way through track “Awake and Alive”, backed by Korey Cooper’s work on keyboards and the same sweeping strings that earmarked Comatose, courtesy of violinist Jonathan Chu, who will join them on tour this Fall.
“One Day Too Late” is reminiscent of ballad “Yours to Hold”, not as progressive musically, but lyrically, it carries a convicting message and a great chorus, “Today I am gonna love my enemies/reach out to somebody who needs me/ make a change, make the world a better place/cause tomorrow could be one day too late.” “It’s Not Me It’s You” is the one misstep, with boring and predictable guitar melodies that seem to rely on more volume than actual creativity. “Should’ve When You Could’ve” ramps things back up with another strong, simple melody and a pining love-song theme that could easily cross to mainstream with little problem, “I’m done acting like I won’t be sitting here still wishing you wanted me…now I’ve had enough/You’re gonna miss my love/You should’ve, it would have been so good.”
“Forgiven” is haunting, loaded with a weighty spiritual message about repentance, “Forgive me I’m ashamed, I loved another…no one can take your place, there is no other, forever yours and yours alone…You have forgiven.” “Never Surrender” is a breath of fresh air, with its clean guitar sound, and solid production, via their new producer, Grammy-nominated Howard Benson (Creed, Kelly Clarkson). Benson also produced American Idol’s Chris Daughtry’s album, and you can hear similarities in the vocal stylings and arrangements. “Lucy” is a tearjerker that relies on piano and cello, and a chilling lyrical story about choices and consequences, and it is a stunning end to a nearly unblemished recording.
For those who were upset over Skillet’s previous “Better than Drugs” reference to “getting high”, breathe a sigh of relief…not much controversy here, which is slightly sad, because Comatose didn’t play it quite as safe. Spiritually, there are themes of redemption and hope, a deep cry of helplessness to the “Hero” that is ready to save us if only we cry out. Though it falls just shy of the truly restless and untameable spirit of Comatose, it’s still poised to be rabid on radio, and the source of unprecedented success for this brilliant band.
Grace S. Cartwright writes from Oregon, where she is attending nursing school and working as an artist publicist and manager. She remains passionate about social justice, music, photography, and being an auntie to her nieces and nephews.
Wednesday Aug 26th, 2009 • View all posts by Grace S. Cartwright • View all posts in Album Reviews
↓ 12 comments
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All About You 
[...] Here’s the link to a review of the Skillet album [...]
Ooooh, Grace, you know I love you to death. But this album is bad. Really bad. I gave it a 2/5 and I’m regretting being so nice.
[...] This post was Twitted by gracecartwright [...]
This review, the popularity of this album, and the sales success are a slap in the face to the bands and artists who put in more thought and effort into making truly creative music.
A band winning a Dove award means nothing. It’s a farce of an award just like the Grammys. Awards are irrelevant of the quality of a band. It’s a popularity contest. It’s the only reason Skillet is still around.
With all due respect, you might want to brush up on the terms “emergent” and “progressive” as it relates to music before ever using them again in a review. There’s nothing emergent or progressive of doing the same thing you’ve been doing most of your career.
Aaron,
I totally agree with you on the quality of the album. It’s not impressive to me, to say the least.
That gotten out of the way, check your attitude at the door when you criticize someone’s take on the album. Implying that a writer hasn’t done his/her research is fine, but tact is important. And frankly, you seemed a bit snarky, which doesn’t motivate me to take you very seriously.
Don’t get me wrong — I’ve done and said worse, but I think we can all be reminded to articulate intelligent criticism that isn’t buoyed by how deeply one can attack a critic.
“Brush up on terms… before ever using them again…”
Care to be a gentleman?
Aaron, I’ve got to say that I agree with you on many points. While I do enjoy a bit of Skillet in the background every now and then, particularly on my way to play some basketball or something along those lines, I’d never quite consider them an artistic masterpiece or anything. And I also agree with you on your thoughts regarding the Doves/Grammys to some extent as well. There is clearly a bias that takes place among those award shows and that’s hard to disagree with. Of course, they are all about business either way so we’ve got to understand that as well.
However, I do have to agree with John here as well and share that perhaps your tone here is a little less than graceful. Our goal here, whether we’re reviewing “Christian” or mainstream work is to review it in such a way that will graceful critique the art while honoring and appreciating the individual. We critique art/media here because we feel that the voice of the critic may in some way help guide the art to a better place. Now you’re certainly free to disagree with a review but give some solid examples and the like to support your claims. And above all, show respect for the writer, over and above. The bottom line is, we all have different likes and dislikes and that’s part of what makes the world go ’round.
Play nice, Aaron.
I like your descriptions, here, Grace. I’ll have to give this album a listen before I can say whether or not I agree with your conclusions.
“For those who were upset over Skillet’s previous “Better than Drugs” reference to “getting high”, breathe a sigh of relief…not much controversy here, which is slightly sad, because Comatose didn’t play it quite as safe.”
My problem with that song wasn’t that it was controversial, it’s that it was… cheesy? It just wasn’t their best songwriting moment.
I loved Collide and thought Comatose was just okay, so I’ve been hoping that Awake would be a step back in the right direction. I admit, expectations have been lowered by some of the other things I’ve read about it, but your different take on it is encouraging.
While I think the songs are overly-produced, what concerns me the most is the song “Monster.” It’s already driven one of my youth (I’m a youth pastor) over the edge into darkness. What’s the point of having such a dark song without lyrics that point to hope in Christ?
Stepping off my soapbox…
Mike:
I’m sorry to hear about one of the kids in your youth group going “over the edge.” Heavier music tends to be inappropriate for persons who struggle with bipolar disorder or any other number of mental illness or emotional instability. On the other hand, it’s great for some of us (I am diagnosed bipolar affective and OCD) to let off steam, without any after-effects. Ironically, my biggest complaint with the album is that it’s not particularly creative, not that it’s too dark.
In answer to your question about “what’s the point?,” I have to say, a ton of scripture is ambiguous in its emotional content. There are many moments where the authors’ intents seem to be more in relating certain feelings of sadness or isolation, or even outright anger toward God, with no clear and easy resolution.
Now, in the case of your particular youth group member, I’m sure it’s always best to remind them of the simple things: Jesus loves you, we’re here to support and love you as well, etc. If they’re pulling away from their faith entirely, then sometimes it’s best to not put too much pressure on them, just be there if they want you to be. You know all this stuff already, I’m sure, but I’m reiterating it from the place of someone who has needed some emotional support in the middle of emotional crisis — as a teen, no less.
Unfortunately, no one but the kid’s parents can do anything about the music he or she listens to. However, that doesn’t really mean the market has to shut down anything with ambiguous or challenging emotional, spiritual, or intellectual material.
Mike; I too am very sorry to hear about your youth group member. I, like many teens, walked that line and many times went far beyond it. I left my youth group and church altogether as soon as my parents let me. I was into some pretty dark things as well. God used His message through music to compel me to seek Him out. I pray that the same happens to this one of 99.
Question:
Why does no one ever talk about the band’s first album? The self-titled one with the big skillet on the front that had songs like “I Can”, “Gasoline”, “Promise Keeper”? I mean, really, out of everything the band has done it’s one of their best (it and Collide). It’s probably their heaviest, most raw, and creatively its their best. Yet now most of their fans don’t even know it exists. I saw them four years back or so at a festival and ran into Ben the guitarist and asked him to play something from it. He kinda shrugged and went “eh, we’re trying to phase it out.”
Such a shame. This is why I’m fairweather at best with Skillet.
Just thought I’d put this out there.
I don’t get why people don’t like this. I think the album is absolutely terrific. Memorable and catchy songs that get stuck in your head for weeks. Whatever flaws it has, it soars mountains above 98% of anything in the mainstream and a good 90% of anything in the Christian music scene. I loved it. Whether it is their best yet is debatable, but I can’t help but give kudos to Skillet for another awesome release.
Does it Resonate with you?