Geoff Moore & the Distance's latest album took me by surprise. I knew it was going to be completed soon, but I still haven't tired of A Friend Like U, probably the biggest step in to the pop arena the guys had taken up to that point, a direction where I expected the new release, Evolution, to continue. Even after hearing the first song, I was still prepared for some more quick-paced, sample-rich pop music-this was not to be. While some pop style is still there, more noticeable are the rock sounds from earlier days of The Distance mixed with some obvious blues influences, possibly due to a production switch to Phil Naish and Joe Hogue, resulting in a hard-edged pop/rock flavor.
The album begins with a satire of a high school teacher explaining the "scientific" view on evolution, with satire courtesy of Mark Lowry (what else would you expect) that leads into a pop tune with a great hook, "Evolution...redefined." This is a unique and fun twist on the idea of evolution, that God is the one that causes us to evolve, since "you could wait a million years, hope that nature does its part, but it only takes a moment for God to change your heart. That's why I believe in evolution, a changing of the heart, renewing of the mind. It's the only true solution, God is always working, changing lives, it's evolution redefined."
Quickly following, without much of a breath between, they kick in with a cover of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." With some heavy bass, some neat guitar riffs, and a ton of organ, it's another killer track. "Life Together" comes in next with warm, bass driven verses leading into subtly anthematic rock choruses, and a slick guitar solo, reminiscing of childhood days with "the gang."
Beginning to slow things down to a mid-tempo, "Live to Tell" is one of three songs Moore co-wrote with Steven Curtis Chapman. This one is a reminder of the commitment we need to make to have our lives reflect God. Next, moving to a soft and tender ballad, Geoff sings the beautiful love song, "If You Could See What I See."
Following an attention-grabbing introduction, "Godgottaholdonme" moves in with some more heavy bass rhythm in an up-tempo rocker. The excellent background vocals turn the chorus into a great hook, "Then it hit me, that's where it started, I let go and Godgottaholdonme."
"That's When I'll Know I'm Home" and "Heart to God, Hand to Man" are pair of lovely ballads with catchy choruses. The former expresses a longing for the perfectness of heaven, while the latter is a tribute to the Salvation Army. They interestingly contrast the ideality of heaven with an imperfect world, where people have physical needs in addition to the spiritual needs.
Recharging the pace, the next tune will please everyone who's seen the band in concert-a live recording of Larry Norman's "Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music." Energetic, with full crowd participation, this is a true pleaser, heavily relying on some smooth guitar riffs and organ.
Closing out the project is a simple piano accompaniment (with a few intermittent strings) to Moore's honest self-evaluation in "When All is Said and Done." My personal favorite, it sparks a serious note about how we need to focus on what the Lord would have us do so that people will "remember the truth of Jesus' love when all is said and done."
A pleasant surprise to me, Evolution is one that I've had a hard time getting out of my stereo. Geoff Moore, Roscoe Meek (guitars), Geof Barkley (keyboards), Greg Harrington (drums), Gary Mullett (bass), and a few of their friends have put together a hard edged pop/rock album that is one of the best of the year.
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