11th October, 2007
JUSTIN MICHAEL
Album: Roadmaps and Revelations
Artist: Parachute Band
Year: 2007
Label: Parachute/Integrity
Enhanced: No
In a word: Youthified
|
"The new sound is a breath of fresh air for the label and the group. There are a crop of new song writers and a collection of melodies that will no doubt make their way easily into congregations around the world." |
It was at the end of '06 that there was some wholesale change at Parachute band HQ. Long time leaders Wayne and Libby Huirua along with juliagrace finished up and handed over the reigns to the five fellas you see on the cover of this new disc.
Mark De Jong is the name behind everything Parachute and you’ll see the next generation coming through here. Sam De Jong is on the kit and adding some guitars to the mix as well. There’s also Chris De Jong doing the jacket design and photography, and Jane De Jong throws in some BV’s.
Add to this the new sound of Omega Levine’s vocal, the mod rock sounds of the band and you’ve got an altogether new sound for Parachute.
If I were to take a punt, I’d say there’s been a conscious decision to youthify the sound. The opening cuts, The Way and I Belong To You, are fast, furious and would certainly get a crowd moving. There’s the worship anthem sound of Surrender All and Praise to You as well as the mid-pace rock of Love It Leads Me and the all important album closer, a reflective track, Keep In You, that gently closes the book on the revelations for the new parachute band.
The new sound is a breath of fresh air for the label and the group. There are a crop of new song writers and a collection of melodies that will no doubt make their way easily into congregations around the world. With a sound that lends a little from Hillsong United, a dash of Phil Wickham and a spot of David Crowder, you’re sure to find this musically progressive, lyrically challenging disk worth keeping close to your ears.
|
