The Violet Burning's second release titled "Strength" is far from what you would expect the follow-up album to "Chosen" to sound like. Unlike some of the grooves and funk pieces on "Chosen," the new album seems to be much more tame musically. Now the different musical approach isn't bad at all, as a matter of fact, it's actually a very good album. I really do like the more contemplative sound. The album takes on a mood of its own which draws the audience in closer and leaves questions in their minds. The music is relatively mild, generally speaking, very passionate and almost painful at times. Yet, it maintains a full sound with strong guitar and distinct vocals.
Michael J. Pritzl again delivers hard blows with his strong vocals in an intimate prayer through the album. Again, it seemed like you could feel what he was singing about on a real and practical level.
One of the strong points of the album is the variety of areas the program covers, songs like "Like the Sun" sing of the powerful and gracious qualities of Christ. While in "Undone," we find the song of a desperate man crying out to God. And in one of my favorite songs on the album you see the musical talent of the band as a whole in their re-mix of "Eleanor Rigby." Although the songs cover a wide range of areas, there is still the golden thread that holds the album together. It seems more and more today the "Christian bands" try to write their songs more and more ambiguous or very vague, and, not saying that is wrong, I have respect for a band like the Violet Burning who sings strong about their love and desire to serve Christ.
Looking back over the album I'd have to say the best songs are the remake of "Eleanor Rigby" and the last song on the album, "Through My Tears." "Eleanor Rigby" with the bass line brings back some of the good old funk from the Violet's last album, but the song is still very subdued and restless. "Through My Tears" closes off the album on a perfect note. The song sings very painfully and it leaves you in a contemplative mood. The album as a whole is great, it's very alternative sounding and filled with imagery. The music is beautiful and emotional and it will leave your heart full. The Violet Burning will be playing this summer at Cornerstone '92, which will be incredible (it's like a Woodstock gone Christian--40 bands or so playing on 6 or 7 stages--crazy. Write: Cornerstone Festival, 939 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60640 for more info) They will also be at this huge Alternative Fest in Atlanta (The Choir, Adam Again, Mad At The World, Dig Hay Zoose, The Throes, and about 30 other artists will be jam'n out hard at the festival, write to: IS Fest, P.O. Box 724973, Atlanta GA 30339 for more info). Catch them if you can, 'cause they do a GREAT show--I saw them last year at C-Stone and they were hot.
To leave you, here's a couple lines from "Through My Tears," ". . .I've seen the lonely people crying out in the night, screaming out for shelter from the storms of this life, there is just one thing that remains, You. always You. if I descend into the depths of hell You will find me, and if I climb above the stars You are there, through my tears I know one thing remains, You. always You. . ."
