It's been nearly ten years after Jars of Clay was at the birthing of the Christian crossover movement. Since then, it's been no surprise to see a Christian artist garner mainstream success, but rarely does an artist do a sort of "reverse crossover." John Davis, formerly of the Knoxville, TN based band, Superdrag, has done this. Having recently dropped his drug habit and accepting Christ, Davis made a move to record a gospel-oriented record.
What comes out of this "reverse crossover" is a mixed bag. Musically, Christian music has yet to see something of this level. Mixing everything from The Beatles to Brian Wilson, Davis shows that he's fairly competent at what he does. The songs are catchy and full of great riffs and melodies, giving a nod to gospel, brit-pop, and blues.
Where this album begins to fall short is in the lyrics. Because Davis wanted to make a straight ahead gospel record, the lyrics seem rehashed and overdone. This could be from his "New Christian" status, but nonetheless, they decrease the legitimacy of the project. Christians have heard this stuff many times before, so one would wonder why Davis would think they'd need to hear it again. Davis' motives are certainly commendable, but as an artist who has had such a creative and successful past, one would think that he would follow that frame of thinking.
It's so hard to make a final verdict on an album that is bipolar as much as this one is. Musically, it's got a lot going for it. Those who like to be challenged by the lyrics they listen to will not find a challenge in this album. One can only hope that Davis will return to his creative past on his next album.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #114Reviewed by Dan MacIntoshJohn Davis, former leader of the underrated power pop band Superdrag, sings explicitly about his recent conversion to Christianity on this self-titled CD. Instead of squeezing his classic pop persona into a tight-fitting contemporary Christian stylistic straightjacket, Davis has entered the realm of Christ-centered sounds with all of his tasteful musical influences still intact. In doing so,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Scott LakeCount up the number of people that you know named John Davis. The local telephone book alone has 4 listings with that name. It's certain that none of those know rock and roll like John Davis. His self-titled release sweeps across a path of 40 years of influences, picking out the most choice ingredients for a straight-up rock and roll tour de force. This John Davis is the front man for the band…Similar sounding releases
1996Lost DogsGreen Room Serenade, Part One
1999WilcoSummerteeth
1999Fountains of WayneUtopia Parkway
1996Dogs of Peace{speak}
2005Jars of ClayRedemption Songs
1998Three CrossesSkinny Flowers
