It is absolutely criminal that Justin McRoberts isn't more widely publicized. I tend to forget just how good he is, as he has flown under the radar of most of the music media. Intersections, his latest CD, gives a look at what has been happening in McRoberts' life over the last few years, and also includes the best cover of U2's "One" to date.
McRoberts is amazingly versatile, in that he can perform pop, acoustic rock, power pop, or rock songs equally well. Vocally, it would be easy to picture him doing songs by Mr. Mister, Matthew Sweet, or Steven Curtis Chapman. "Undecided" could be a Gin Blossoms or Sister Hazel outtake.
"Running in Circles" is an intense rock song that drives hard enough to make you forget that it is acoustic. It, like many other of the tunes here, seems to deal with broken relationships and unrequited love, perhaps a portrait of Christ looking at His unfaithful church.
"Qualifications for Love" speaks of the superficial nature that comes through in most men on occasion:
Better wear a size 4
Better have a boyfriend
Better look like someone on TV
Better have a hairstyle
That changes almost weekly, baby, yeah
Just to keep it interesting for me
McRoberts paints poignant pictures of those looking for what will make them happy in life, and the resultant emotions when they pursue temporary solutions to that happiness. Intersections makes me want to go out and purchase his entire catalog, just to see what I've missed up until now.
4.5 tocks
Similar sounding releases
2004Caedmon's CallChronicles
2003Jars of ClayWho We Are Instead
2002Ross King... And All the Decorations, Too
2001Andrew PetersonClear to Venus
2004The Pool BoysDays to Summerville
1997Sherri YoungwardFaces Memories Places
