Several years ago, in the wake of the success of Rage Against the Machine, Christian labels were scrambling to find rapcore bands to capitalize on the trend. Enter Spoken, whose first two albums showcased lead vocalist Matt Baird's ferocious rhythm skills. After the success of ...what remains, however, the band decided to take a more melodic tack.
The latest album from the Arkansas-based group completes the transformation begun on the groundbreaking Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell. Those wanting rap will have to go elsewhere; while Baird's voice goes from a whisper to a scream, occasionally in the same song, he's firmly on the singing end of the spectrum this time around.
Lyrically, the band is in the same place as always, and that's a good thing; they're crying out to God and lending comfort to His children. "Sleep Well Tonight" addresses the band's loved ones, left alone as the band tours the country: "I wanted to say I love you, and I miss you. I pray that you sleep well tonight."
Like modern-rock Keith Greens, the band focuses on our distance from God, in songs such as "In Dreams" and "Falling Further."
In my dreams I sometimes see
You watching over me, protecting me.
My own will gets in the way
Of stepping from this hell that I've made.
-- "In Dreams (Sometimes I See You)"
I'm sorry I didn't believe you
When you said that you had to go,
I even felt the holes in your hands.
I'm sorry, for what I have become.
-- "Falling Further"
But in the closing track, "How Long," there seems to be a resolution of sorts; they've finally fallen completely into the grace hinted at in "Falling Further."
Love is falling down all around me,
Holding me to your heart, holding me to the sky.
I know you are here.
I feel you on the air.
--"How Long"
While this CD may not be quite as musically groundbreaking as Echoes, it's definitely a fine album, full of well-crafted melodic modern rock and beautiful lyrics.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis February 2004Reviewed by Justin BrinkerSpoken has been around for quite some time. Since the release of their debut album, 'On Your Feet' in 1997, the boys from Spoken have released a total of four albums, and also a greatest hits record. The latest release from the band is 'A Moment Of Imperfect Clarity'. The best thing I can say about this album is the fact that Spoken has dropped the rap-rock schtick and has opted for a more…Art for the Ears 2003Reviewed by Marco PovervestSpoken exists since 1996 and made four albums. The first three came out through Metro One Music. However, of their previous material I only heard the song Think For Yourself, from their 1997 album On Your Feet. That song was similar to Rage Against The Machine. In comparison A Moment Of Imperfect Clarity sounds like a grown-up band with a different musical approach. Garth Richardson signed for…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Len NashSpoken, a band known to have a powerful driving force on all their releases, introduces A Moment of Imperfect Clarity which isn't quite like their previous works, which were rapcore induced. Instead, A Moment of Imperfect Clarity is a brilliant mix of melodic hardcore and hybrid hard rock, combining Chevelle, 12 Stones, Finch, and The Used. Although a lot of their die-hard fans may not like this,…Similar sounding releases
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