18th October, 2007
JUSTIN MICHAEL
Album: aLIVE in Florida
Artist: Rebecca St James
Year: 2007
Label: Forefront
Enhanced: Yes - DVD concert disc included.
In a word: Garage-pop (the good kind!)
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"RSJ must be one of the hardest working ladies in Christian music. This album is a snapshot that will give you a taste of her passion for bringing the message with the music." |
With a unique voice, a unique story and a unique take on 'God-rock', you’re sure to find something to like about RSJ. She’s the girl that has been waiting and praying for her darling while achieving huge things in the Christian music scene around the world and flying the Aussie flag all the way.
In 2006, RSJ released what was a watershed album for her, If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something. It was a refreshing take, both musically and lyrically, on some familiar themes. Plenty of zeal, commitment to telling the Gospel story and artistic integrity.
The live show gives new dimension and a certain new reality to the lyrics. RSJ is a passionate performer and delivers her message with a poise that shows the years of experience she has under her belt.
The DVD is somewhere between big rock production and live broadcast. It seems a little underdone to me and the direction overly frantic. I would have loved the camera to stay still for just a few seconds in the opening cuts of the gig. On the upside, it is a truly live recording and gives that great raw energy feel of being at the gig.
Musically, the RSJ crew are always looking to re-invent and they do it well. There are great new arrangements of Wait For Me, the acoustic version of You Are Loved is brilliant and the song written for the Narnia soundtrack titled Lion is a treat.
RSJ also gives her little brothers a go on the new disc and DVD with a sneak peek at the music they’ve been making. Last this reviewer heard, the boys were pitching their songs for movie soundtracks and being ‘presented’ to the LA scene. Watch this space. The sound on the disk is a little Linkin Park and has the same intensity we’ve come to expect from big sis.
Overall, the album is simply great value. With fourteen tracks on the CD and 13 on the DVD, you’re going to get a good helping of new music for your collection.
RSJ must be one of the hardest-working ladies in Christian music. This album is a snapshot that will give you a taste of her passion for bringing the message with the music.
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