TAIT returns
with their sophomore album and there's definitely no
sophomore slump here. Lose This Life is loaded with a
more fresh and energized (if that was even possible) sound.
With hits like Lose This Life and Heartache,
TAIT is establishing themselves as one of the true talents
in rock music today.
~ independentbands.com
Tait
was the first of the dc Talk guys out of the gate with his
solo album, Empty, two years ago. So it's fitting
that once again he's first in line with his follow-up, Lose
This Life. Departing from his work with longtime friend
Pete Stewart, this go 'round he pairs with dc Talk producer
Mark Heimermann, and the results are much more varied and
ultimately, more interesting.
Eschewing the "every song
sounds too much alike" syndrome that weighed heavily on
the band's first album, Heimermann and Tait allow the songs
to be king, letting each song organically grow on its own
and take on the sound that's in its own best interests.
Every song takes on its own unique qualities, and it really
allows Tait to stretch its musical wings and try on a
variety of sounds.
For example, "Numb" rocks
the group to heavier heights than they've ever before
attempted. Then, on the next track, a cover of Eddie Grant's
"Electric Avenue," the band mixes in elements of
electronica on a high energy pop track. Michael Tait honors
his sister's memory on the painful "Fallen," and
cries out against mediocrity on the terrific rock anthem
"Reconnecting." "Heartache" finds him
offering a shoulder to lean on for a hurting friend, and
rocks out on fun tracks like "Free Will" and
"Wait." He even throws in a bonus holiday track,
the lusciously orchestrated "Christmas Song."
Lose This Live is an
everything-but-the-kitchen-sink album. And while it might be
easy to assume that the band Tait is trying hard to live up
to the expectations of dc Talk fans, I think it's more
likely that Tait is simply taking time to experiment and
find its footing. Either way, I found Lose This Life
to be a much more compelling ride than its predecessor.
~
cmcentral.com
