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 QUICK CD Reviews Not full-length reviews that are found in the artist pages, these are quick CD reviews that provide basic information, a short review, and my ratings. Meant to be informative and helpful. |
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PAX217: Twoseventeen (2000) Overall Rating: C+ Pillar: Fireproof (2002) Overall Rating: C+ Pillar: Fireproof (re-released) (2003)Overall Rating: B |
SHORT CD REVIEWS
 Musical Talent: 9 of 10 Musical Variety: 7 of 10 Lyrical Value: 8 of 10 Worth Buying: 7 of 10 Overall Rating: C+ (78%)
2000 |
PAX217: Twoseventeen PAX217's first CD is typical of most Christian rock bands. The music is good and talented, but only the first few tracks are exceptional songs. The rest all kinda blend in with the same rock sound and just aren't as appealing. Oh, and don't forget the lyrics. A few outright and obvious messages, but most are hidden, and when you find them they're pretty cool. But some are so hidden that you almost wonder if they're even there. Yep, that describes this CD, except that PAX217 is a little more obvious in the lyrics than some bands are. "A.M" is very catchy, and probably the band's best-known song, except that I'm not sure what it's about. Something about singing at a concert. "Sandbox Praise" is a fun song, about the simple innocence of being young, back when the only thing that mattered was playing in the sandbox. "Prizm" describes how the colors of the prism "remind me of the sin to go." The rest of the CD contains some good lyrics, but they're just not as good (musically) as the first three. Granted, they don't all sound the same, but they don't all sound different either. So, if you like the typical Christian rock band, you'd probably enjoy this CD. It's not worth buying for just a few good songs. There are better Christian rock albums than this one, but these guys are talented in every aspect of the music. -- Josh 8/1/2003 |
1.A.M. (Intricate are you among the masses) 2.Sandbox Praise (So dig your hands in the dirt 3.Prizm (Precipitation formed colors of freedom) 4.Check 217 5.Skwid (Oh baby boy, now don't you cry) 6.No Place Like Home 7.Free to Be 8.Shalom 9.Forevermind 10.Gratitude (Get up, get up, get up with the gratitude) 11.Killjoy Holiday (Today's a holiday) 12.Until the Sun (When the sun goes down there's an image of you) |
 Musical Talent: 10 of 10 Musical Variety: 3 of 10 Lyrical Value: 10 of 10 Worth Buying: 8 of 10 Overall Rating: C+ (78%)
2002 |
Pillar: Fireproof I liked the first two songs, but after that, the constant hard rock began to get annoying and only the breaks between tracks stopped it from sounding like one long song. Musically, these guys know what they're doing. Everything is balanced, and these guys have plenty of talent, especially in the guitar area. Lyrically, the overall theme seems to be speaking out against Christian hypocrites who aren't really living for God (this is something the Christian community needs). But I think some of the songs are going to go over people's heads. It only took about the fifth track for me to get tired of the constant rock sound, but I suppose the more you listen to it, the more you like it. (Click here for a closer look at the lyrical meanings and musical structure of the songs) Awesome lyrics, you can't debate that. But sometimes I wonder if they have too many songs about Christian hypocrites. It's a message that needs to be preached, but I think some people might get tired of hearing about it, especially if they're already tired of most of the songs sounding the same. So really, it all comes down to whether you like that style of music or not. It's not my favorite, although I do like it some, but not enough to want to listen to eleven songs in a row of it. But if that's your cup of tea, go buy this CD. Now. -- Josh 9/21/2002 (Posted 7/18/2003) |
1.Fireproof 2.Just to Get By 3.Echelon 4.Stay Up 5.Behind Closed Doors 6.Epidemic 7.Hindsight 8.Light At My Feet 9. A Shame 10.Indivisible 11.Further |
 Musical Talent: 10 of 10 Musical Variety: 3 of 10 Lyrical Value: 10 of 10 Worth Buying: 10 of 10 Overall Rating: B (83%)
2003 |
Pillar: Fireproof (re-released) After the success of their 2002 release Fireproof, Pillar signed a contract with mainstream label MCA Records, and decided to re-release the same CD in 2003. Basically, secular labels have more money to make better quality sound, so it's a big tweaking project. It's been awhile since I listened to most of the "old" Fireproof stuff, so can't tell all that much difference in the 2003 one. The differences aren't always obvious, but they're definitely better (Listen to the first track in headphones, it sounds like it's coming from not two, but three different places! And I almost dare to say the vocals are crisper). They did get rid of the army march chant at the intro to "Echelon," which some may like and some may not. Have no fear: none of the lyrics have been changed or "watered down" for a secular label. It's got all the songs from the "old" Fireproof, just in a different order. It also has a "Fireproof" radio remix at the end that's not different enough from the first track to justify its being there, so you might skip it. Even if you already own the "old" Fireproof, this "new" one is still worth buying because, as of now, anyway, you can get it for $10 at Best Buy (and it comes with a DVD inside). The changes are improvements, and if you get this one you likely won't ever listen to your old Fireproof CD again. And if you don't own it, decide: It's worth buying, but only if you enjoy hard rock for 42 straight minutes. -- Josh 7/18/2003 |
1.Fireproof 2.Behind Closed Doors 3.A Shame 4.Echelon 5.Hindsight 6.Light At My Feet 7.Stay Up 8.Epidemic 9.Just to Get By 10.Indivisible 11.Further From Myself 12.Fireproof "Radio Mix" |
Page Created 7/18/2003
Page Last Updated 4/9/2004
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