Audio Adrenaline

Item: Lift
Author: Josh Hurst

Lift

(2001)

Reviewed by Josh Hurst

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label ForeFront RecordsThe Rebel Base2001

ccm modern rock pop rock

Well, I'll try to write an honest review of Audio Adrenaline's new album, Lift, but it is hard to say something bad about the record. It's not that Lift is flawless. Far from it. It's just that it's so darn happy. Those Audio A. rascals just had to go and make a perky, cheerful CD, didn't they?

In fact, Lift may even be a little bit too happy for some people. Even the song titles, like "I'm Alive" and "Rejoice," may turn off listeners who prefer more melancholy fare. But Lift is cheery for a reason. The album revolves around the theme of God lifting us up when we lift Him up. That's right- Audio Adrenaline actually chose a strong central theme for this album, and they did a remarkable job sticking to it.

Lift does not live up to some of the hype that it has been getting, but it is certainly a worthwhile album. In fact, it's Audio Adrenaline's best album to date. The mature, layered instrumentation and occasional deep, profound lyric suggest that the band is becoming something more than a youth group-friendly pop band. In fact, Lift should appeal to listeners of all ages, though people who don't like Christian rock should stop reading now, because this CD does not deliver anything that sets it apart from the rest of the CCM industry.

"You Still Amaze Me" opens the album with thick production values and one of the band's best lyrics to date. "I'm Alive" and "Rejoice" are both dangerously catchy pop/rock songs, while "Speak To Me" is a slower song that boasts honest lyrics and solid vocals from frontman Mark Stuart and guitarist Tyler Burkum, who steps up to the mic on several occasions this time around.

The extremes of the album are tracks three and four. "Beautiful" is the low point of the album. The lyrics and music are both trite and a bit boring. The song grows on you a bit, but it is still a fairly lame song. The following song, however, is quite the opposite. In fact, "Ocean Floor" is easily one of the best songs of the year. The lyrics are moving and profound, the dual vocalists give a passionate performance and the chorus is among the catchiest on the album. "Ocean Floor" is by far my favorite Audio Adrenaline song of all time.

Lift has its highs and lows, but the album balances out to be a satisfying pop/rock experience, and the vertically focused lyrics are easily the band's best yet. While Lift is not for everyone, it will certainly give most Christian rock fans reason to rejoice.

Josh's Score: 3/5

Mark's Score: 4.5/5

David's Score: 3.5/5