Posted on: November 16, 2010 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Let me make it clear that I’ve never been into a church for service in my life. I found Christian music to be enjoyable for quite a few months back in high school and the first year or so of college, and there is still a soft spot in my heart for a few acts out there.

In the last few years, there has been an expansion of bands that have sent me CDs that are Christian. Most of them are middling and really do not excite me in a way that I once felt. The opening to The New Dawn’s “Rekindled” walks much along the same path as these newer albums, and “Help Me Walk The Path You’ve Chosen” is a good track but does not have much to offer prospective listeners. With all of the Christian music that emulates what is popular on the secular charts, The New Dawn’s Spartan approach will not immediately endear it to listeners. There are some catchy, hooky types of arrangements during tracks like “I Want To Thank You”, but at some point listeners have to realize that the track is just a singer, drummer, and synthesizer. The vocals are solid and do not crack at any point during “Rekindled”, but when songs like “Lord, I Open My Heart To You” start, one can only be reminded of classic, slow-dance songs like “Unchained Melody”.

The opening to “I Will Trust In You” is perhaps the farthest that The New Dawn gets into the current style of music, but this dissipates quickly. The songs are all done with the same general style in mind, and while they will be good and safe for individuals that do not wish to hear secular music (or Christian music that attempts to be secular), there is little on here for the secular music fan to grab onto. “The Body” is perhaps the most interesting track on “Rekindled”, as the vocals move into the realm of a John Tesh. The short, terse statements that are given out during this track allow individuals to grab onto the act tighter, and the chorus is almost catchy enough to allow listeners to sing along after just a few listens. For hardcore fans of Christian music, “Rekindled” is a solid bit of Christian-themed music that will make individuals just grab their Bible and start reading. If you are not Christian, I can’t really suggest this album, though.

Top Tracks: The Body, I Want To Thank You

Rating: 5.5/10

The New Dawn – Rekindled / 2006 White Light Records / 10 Tracks / http://www.thenewdawn.us / Reviewed 16 May 2006

[JMcQ]

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