Album Reviews

Almost a year after it was released, I finally have the opportunity to review one of the most interesting and coolest albums of 1997. Caedmon's Call has an unique musical style that took the Christian music industry by storm last year. The musical mastery in this album makes it easy to forget that it is their debut album - it's that good.

For those of you who are fans already, I have some good news: Essential Records announced in a March 20 press release that they have signed a long term, multi-record contract with Caedmon's Call. Plans are in place for a new album to be released in late 1998.

The very first track, "Lead of Love," showcases this band's phenomenal talent and musical ear. They intricately blend keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and percussion to make a listening experience that is top notch. Beautifully harmonized vocals sing a story I am constantly reminded of as I look back upon my 22 years. "Looking back at the road so far, the journey's left it's share of scars - mostly from the leaving the narrow and straight ... though I questioned the sky, now I see why - I had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view. Looking back, I see the lead of love."

Hindsight is always 20/20. It's amazing to look back on my life and see all the ways God had His hand on my life. As the age-old story goes, the times when life was the hardest and it seemed that He was nowhere to be found were the times when He was actually carrying me, guiding me towards things I never would have imagined without Him.

"Not the Land" is one of the best songs on the album, in my opinion. It's lyrically challenging, and even more spiritually so. In a literal sense, the song speaks of driving down the freeway, with the map under the seat, out of reach. Driving on because it would take more trouble to fish out the map than it is worth. But in a deeper sense, the song is an analogy for the life we try to live. God has promised us so much, and has given us a map (the Bible). But it's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of working and "keeping up with the Jones'," that we loose sight of how foolish it is. I've been there, and I can testify to how foolish it seems when you look from the outside. "This is not the land was promised me, even as far as my eyes can see. I'm so wound up, Lord, I can't even breathe. And I don't want words. I just want some peace."

God offer that peace. Instead of driving blindly down the highway (life), oblivious to everything going on around you and to all that is offered to you, pick up the map (the Bible) and reach your destination. When you reach the promised land (both on Earth, and ultimately in Heaven), it will be worth it.

"Bus Driver" takes a humorous approach in presenting a message we all need sometimes. Hey, don't let anyone tell you you're just a bus driver! Maybe you are the CEO of a billion dollar corporation, or maybe you teach seventh graders. Maybe you drive a taxi, or build custom refrigerators. Whatever you do, don't let anyone tell you you're not important. God put each of us here for a reason, and He doesn't make mistakes. Find that purpose, and be the person God created you to be.

This is an album I should have reviewed long ago. And I would have, but my original disc disappeared during my wedding rehearsal last June! Better late than never, I guess. Let me just say that Caedmon's Call is one of the best and most original recordings I have heard lately, and is one I highly recommend.

 ~David Longenecker  

Caedmon's Call finally signed a distribution deal after five years on the college circuit and two independent releases. Their first release encompasses the entire range of the "college" sound from the light acoustic "Lead of Love," a melodic song that sounds like Jars of Clay, the heavier "Not the Land," which echoes the electric guitar ballads of Drive, to "Bus Driver," a catchy deceptively direct song about an extremely mundane subject, or is there a universal message? The three vocalists lend so much variety to this project that a play-through is never boring. Let this grow on you for a while. There's more in the lyrics than catches your ear on the first listen. I give this album an B.                     

   ~Kevin McNeese