Derek Webb

Item: I See Things Upside Down
Author: Zach Delph

I See Things Upside Down

(2004)

Reviewed by Zach Delph

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Label INO RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2004

ccm folk rock indie rock singer-songwriter

I would love to be able to read the mind of an artist who knows the next album that they just made will alienate many fans, while inspiring others. This is certainly what has happened with the release of I See Things Upside Down. Derek Webb eschews every bit of the cloud that has hung over his head since he left Caedmon's Call back in 2002. What Webb has given us is an album full of challenging lyrics and possibly the best album in Christian music this year.

Lyrically, Webb continues to challenge the church on everything from love of others to legalism. "T-shirts (What We Should Be Known For)" challenges Christians to live beyond the culture that has been formed around the modern church. "Medication" begs for the hand of God in our lives no matter what the circumstances. "Better Than Wine" is a godly expression of love. When it comes to lyrics, Webb is able to creatively and poignantly express his thoughts about the state of the church and its followers.

In regards to the music, Christian music hasn't seen anything this good since The Normals bowed out with A Place Where You Belong. While stripped down at its base, the songs carry a sonic depth that is very reminiscent of Wilco and Over the Rhine. Atmospheric noises permeate the album opener "I Want a Broken Heart" and semi-instrumental "We Come To You." "Ballad in Plain Red," with its organic style, and "Lover Part 2," with its up-front drumming, are the closest comparisons to Wilco here, and that's certainly a good thing. This high musical quality is due to the collaboration between Webb, Cason Cooley (formerly of The Normals), Will Sayles, and Paul Moak (both of whom toured with Over the Rhine within the past year). With the addition of them in this project, Webb has certainly taken a musical step forward. This shift has not only distanced himself from his former band, but even his first solo album.

With I See Things Upside Down, Webb pushes his vocals to a place we haven't seen since "What You Want," from Caedmon's Call's 2000 release, Long Line of Leavers. The raw vocals here express his passion in a way that over-produced vocals never could. "We Come To You" features Webb's wife, Sandra McCracken, on background vocals.

It really is sad that many listeners will be turned off by this musical shift. Many will dismiss Webb's experimentation as a slip in creativity, when it really is more creative than anything that Caedmon's Call ever did. Fans of The Normals, Over the Rhine, and Wilco should be able to embrace this album with no problem. It's been a long time since Christian music has seen something this good.

4.5 tocks