The Prayer Chain's debut EP for Reunion will most certainly catapult it from the outer reaches of Christian music's swirling indies, and smack dab into the arena of the tearful mainstream. Most of this much too short release hits the average Joe Listener like a great blistering blast of musical TNT. Kinda like the sincerity of Violet Burning over the groove of an Adam Again, fronted by Ian Astbury of The Cult. Which ain't a bad combination, if you ask me.
At Cornerstone this year, there was much talk about P.C. signing to Reunion. Many alternative-heads feared that this Nashville label would "Reunionize the Chain," and drain all the fuel from its engines. But be forewarned, this music will dilute your pupils faster than Folger's Crystal brownies.
The music growls and jumps out at the listener like a Japanese B-movie. This is one noisy album. Although nearly nothing could come close to the energy of The Prayer Chain live, this explosive piece of work comes close.
If the band has a weakness, it's in the lyric department. One is immediately drawn into the group's Whirlpool of minor key melodies, only to emerge with the feeling that very little has actually been said. Instead of employing devices like metaphors, for example, to leave room for listeners to stretch their imaginations, The Prayer Chain rather uninterestingly sticks to the straight-forward blunt approach.
If this were an older band, such criticisms might be embarrassing and humiliating. But many a great band has struggled with lyrics early on. What counts, is that this band's enthusiasm reveals such great potential. Whirlpool's small taste just makes one want more.
3.5/5
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