Album Reviews

 
In the '90s, there were few bands in the CCM realm who made more of an impact on the music scene than the now-defunct dc Talk. Between covering a Doobie Brothers' classic, making it cool to be a Jesus Freak, and then being snatched up by Virgin Records in an attempt to break into the mainstream, the band blazed trails like few before them had been able to do.

Then the trio decided to part ways and pursue their own creative endeavors. Michael Tait formed a generic rock band and played at being a background singer for Carlos Santana; Kevin Max took his artistic music across the U.S. and became a fixture at L.A.'s famed Viper Room; and Toby Mac's tunes started appearing in mainstream films (Extreme Days, Transporter 2) and prime time television (Monday Night Football).

With one hit single after another, Toby Mac has easily achieved the most success with his solo career and brought his positive vibes to millions, but the question is whether he can continue to make the hits and still make music that matters. On Portable Sounds, his third album of new material, Toby takes a lot of what has worked on his first two records and squeezes some extra mileage out of them, so while the album is not entirely original, it's not a lifeless retread either. Far from it.

"Boomin'" is a come-on-and-join-the-party track that plays like a mash-up of "Extreme Days" and "The Slam," so fans of the rock 'n roll will have something to bang their heads to there. Additionally, Toby Mac's latest collaboration with his son, Truett, on "Hype Man (truDog '07)" is one of the many highlights on this record. The interaction between the two as truDog shows Toby how to break it down old-school is priceless and demonstrates that both have a fantastic sense of humor and considerable comic timing.

Opening track "One World" is a groovy joint that extols the value of appreciating the life you've been given and making it count no matter what the situation is. "All In" has a bit of that "Just Between You and Me" vibe from the dc Talk days--you know, that sound that makes you want to drive down a highway with the windows down. Lead single "Made to Love" is an effective gauge of the depth on this record in a backhanded sort of way as it is outshined by at least half of the other 12 tracks on this album. Singles on Christian radio tend to be safe and sometimes that is because most of the rest of the album isn't all that good, but thankfully the same cannot be said for this record.

The standout track is the raucous "Ignition" where Toby screams at the top of his lungs for something to wake him up from his dead life. Lyrically reminiscent of Spur 58's "Sleepwalkers" while sounding like a kissing cousin of Filter's "It's Gonna Kill Me," this song comes out firing like a machine gun:

Comatose, half-hearted, room temperature's fine
Sleepwalkers, no dream is even filling our minds
Come start the parts of me that've all but died
Jump start my heart and wake the sleeper inside
Hold up the fact cuz it's ride or die.

He continues to gradually stretch himself vocally with each new album. While generally on the thin side, a la Michael W. Smith, each new recording shows he is committed to doing more than speaking words and sometimes trying to rap. "Suddenly" and "I'm For You" are prime examples of his willingness to hit some high and low notes even if he doesn't quite get there every time. He knows when to whisper and when to shout and by and large the results are pleasant.

Toby Mac's message of positivity shines through on Portable Sounds, so parents will dig it, but there are a lot of chunky rhythms and riffs that will have the kids dancing in the streets and rockin' in their seats. It's the best of both worlds and only slightly derivative to boot.    

   ~Brian Palmer

Toby Mac (homepage)