B.Reith

In one of B.Reith’s opening songs on Now Is Not Forever, he points out he’s “got a style/They still don’t know what to call it.” iTunes puts him in the pop category, a generic designation probably chosen because “Pop/Jazz/Rap by way of Joshua Radin, tobyMac and Jason Mraz” didn’t fit on the line. And the irony is, that still doesn’t cover it all.

In the hands of a lesser artist, with such disparate influences, an album could have easily sunk under it’s own overburdened weight. But if you can get past the somewhat self-absorbed “The Comeback Kid,” the rest of the album is a sonic treat.

“I Know” introduces a sweet jazzy horn section as B.Reith sings, showing off his vocal chops. This is where the Jason Mraz comparisons will start, but somehow he manages to take the sound and make it firmly his own. The simple hook of, “I know the One’s who’s in control,” weaves its way through the melody easily, and with this song, the album truly takes off. The next cut, “Mess,” is a fresh and honest song that takes a look at the difficulties of life. Rather than presenting himself as someone with all the answers, B.Reith is the one asking for a rescue. And despite the heavier lyrical content, “Mess” still manages to be an upbeat, high energy track.

“Antidote” is hands-down the album’s standout track. With this track, we’re given a chance to see the life of a nineteen year old drug addict with a history of self-mutilation who is just begging for a place to call home. It’s not your average radio hit, but musically and lyrically, it’s one of the best. Rather than looking at her in judgment and condemnation, B.Reith takes the time to explain her passions and the deepest desires of her heart while gently pointing her to the “…antidote/To heal (her) broken wings.” There is life here, in the best and fullest sense of the word.

“My Story” is a quirky autobiographical song, thanking God for writing his story. Through celebrations and sorrows, B.Reith treats them all with the same wide-eyed openness, and he establishes himself as a compelling wordsmith, even when the musicality of certain songs leaves something to be desired. With “My Story,” the song mellows out suddenly from an up-tempo jam to a slow, soft piano backdrop. That swift change can work sometimes, but here it just drains all the energy out of the piece, which is unfortunate.

B.Reith also seems to revel in dichotomy, as is illustrated with his two songs about love. “U Should Know,” is a funky, lovely little love song to the girl who’s caught his eye, while the poorly placed “Wish That” chronicles the death of a relationship. While they’re both good songs, they almost seem to cancel each other out with their emotional stretches (and proximity to each other).

But the album wraps up with “Just For You” and “Breathe,” two songs that find B.Reith fully exploring his guy-with-a-guitar/coffee-shop-rock side. “Just For You” is the most intimate song on the album, painting an (unintentionally ironic) portrait of time spent with God, celebrating Him without worrying about what anyone else may think of the song. “Breathe,” the album’s closer, is a simple prayer asking God to breathe down into the world. For people facing a life that somehow turned out differently than they’d originally imagined, this is their song.

All in all, Now Is Not Forever would fit well in any collection, equally at home among rap artists or soft-rock musicians. There’s a few missteps along the way, but B.Reith pulls it off with grace and style.

Tagged as: B. Reith, Now Is Not Forever

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