In a year filled with a myriad of good Christian albums, it is easy to overlook smaller, quality releases. Symbiotica's self-titled album qualifies as such a release. Produced by musical chameleon Lanny Cordola along with Gary Thomas Griffin and Chuck Wright, Symbiotica offers a sound not like anything available elsewhere in the Christian marketplace. Its rich texture can be attributed to the exotic sounds of the koto, bazuki, flute, duduk, melodica, and the extraordinary vocal styles of Sandra Stephens, Kai, Lamya, Lygia, and Ann Brown.
Symbiotica gleans musical styles from around the globe and opens with a song called "Missionary." The lyrics are succinct and touch the heart.
You don't look for numbers,
you don't look for fame,
you don't look at colors, or anyone to blame
you sow the seeds of Utmost High,
you sow the seeds of hope,
you sow the seeds and hold a dying child,
your compassion helps them cope
Missionary
The third cut, "Wilderness Call," features a captivating percussion beat accompanying the vocals of Sandra Stephens who is terrific as usual. After a short instrumental interlude, "Tai He Dian," Kai confronts us in "Space for Rent" with issues relating to the information age and space exploration. The questions raised in this song search out the anxieties of a society dominated by technology, but the next track, "Chemical," returns the listener to the spiritual cry of the individual. A driving bass guitar, multiple music styles, pace changes and Lamya form the musical framework to lyrics reminiscent of the Psalms. In an era of modern Christianity that seems to have man asking for the blessings of the flesh, this refreshing song reminds us of our vital need to be cleansed from the heart out.
purge me - guard me - cleanse me - defend me strip away my guilt - strip away my pain - strip away my sadness
wash it down the drain
remove this pagan fluid
through every pore and cell
take away the beast that lives in me
and lock him up in hell.
Our musical journey leads into Celtic sounds featuring Lygia in "My Father's Cross." This slower paced prayer takes us into the Middle Eastern sounds of "Le Recherche." The combination of the exotic Indian sounds with a French reading from the book of Revelation courtesy of Myriam Ostermann and the enchanting vocals of Ann Brown, causes one to visualize sitting at a large feast and partaking in the delicacies of stuffed pizza, Coca-cola and entertainment provided by liturgical dancers with long flowing gowns, allowing God to speak to His creation in an unknown language. The album ends the way one would expect a Lanny Cordola album to end, with four shorter music-heavy cuts. The back-to-back songs "March of the Most High" and "God Only Knows" remind me of Jeff Johnson's early music. The jazz-influenced melody inspires you to envision yourself on streets of gold marching to the throne of the Father, and having Him soothe your soul in a way only God would know how to do. I would suggest that the next time you are visiting a music store with a listening area, you take ten minutes and give it a try. It will not be time wasted.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Shari LloydIf I had looked at this carefully, I probably wouldn't have bought it. The name made them sound like a techno band so I bought it. Then I noticed it was produced by Lanny Cordola, Gary Thomas Griffin, and Chuck Wright. These guys were doing Shack of Peasants last I heard of them. I'm not fond of compilations plus there's a big difference between blues and techno. What had I bought? I gingerly put…
