Ransom, an independent band with a focus on ministry, has put together a decent debut release. With a sound that can best be described as CCM contemporary rock, Ransom will appeal mostly to fans of Petra--but there are a few moments that will catch the kids' ears.
Songwriting is a bit of a mixed bag, going from nonsensical on "Vegetables" ("I couldn't think up any words to fill this verse/so I made up my mind that I'll waste time/[on this rhyme, what a stupid rhyme])," to serious on the title track, which is easily the strongest on the album: "Our suffering lingers on.../Take, take this pain from me, I pray/Oh, then show me, what's worth living for.../Take these chains away, put your love in its place."
While some songs, such as "Soliloquy," are obvious copies of Collective Soul's style, other songs, such as "I Believe" and "Dead No More," manage to capture Ransom's own sound. Produced by the band, production is average, though a little foggy on the opening track.
Richard Czypinski's vocals are Ransom's best asset; powerful yet able to undersing as well. While this band has good songwriters, they really need to work on creating more original song arrangements. I look forward to seeing Ransom mature and become confident in their own sound.
2 tocks
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