When your favorite band releases a new album it can be both exciting and scary at the same time. On one hand, there will finally be some new music to listen to instead of the old CDs that you loved so much. But on the other hand, what if this new release disappoints and forces you to go back to the old CDs, longing for those better days.
The Violet Burning's music is very personal for me. It appeals to me on more levels than any other band has ever done for me. And this is exactly how The Violet Burning earns their fans: Michael Pritzl and company write and play music that reaches people in a deep way both emotionally and spiritually. The music is born from Michael Pritzl's honest heart, striving to do the best possible with his God-given talent.
The band's last release Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart was no doubt a worship album, designed with that intent in mind. Prior to that release, Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic was much more cryptic lyrically with the focus on love songs. This is the Moment feels like the album that pulls these two sides of The Violet Burning together into one cohesive whole.
The music on This is the Moment is the accessible side of The Violet Burning that they showed promise of with songs like "Moon Radio" and "Gorgeous" on Demonstrates. At first this is a bit worrisome to critical music listeners. Has Pritzl compromised his artistic talent for a few hit singles? Repeated listens to This is the Moment will reveal that Pritzl has compromised nothing, but that he just might indeed have a few hit singles here anyway. The songs walk the difficult line between accessibility and artistry and do it with a balance that works.
Lyrically, This is the Moment feels like an unrestrained worship album. The band does not have the moniker of "worship album" placed on this CD, so Pritzl had the opportunity to pen songs coming from a heart of worship that may manifest themselves in other ways. A glance at the song titles reveals quickly that this is a Christian CD. But it is never at one moment cheesy.
The best songs on the album are spread throughout. There are upbeat rock songs like "Lovesick" and "Radio Jesus Superstar" that could very well gain the band the airplay that they so badly deserve. Then there are the beautiful songs like "Slowa" and "Manta Rae" that will certainly appeal to fans of the band's older music. In fact, "Manta Rae" could very well be one of the best songs that Michael Pritzl has ever penned.
I'm really not sure how Michael Pritzl pulls it off, but this CD connects with the listener. It communicates and oozes truth and beauty in an intimately personal way. One thing is for sure, in a few months The Violet Burning will find themselves with a lot of new fans. Those of us who have stuck with them for awhile now don't need to be bitter about it. They're sharing themselves with as many people as possible and this is the kind of music that our world desperately needs.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Opus 2003Reviewed by Chris BrownIt was somewhat confusing when Michael Pritzl announced that he was releasing an album as The Gravity Show. When you have a band that is essentially a solo project with a rotating cast of musicians -- as has always been the case with Pritzl and The Violet Burning -- why exactly do you need a side project? The release of This Is the Moment, Pritzl's seventh release under the Violet Burning moniker…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Keith GilesTo many of the younger, alternative rock fans out there, the name "Violet Burning" may not resonate a sense of excitement and anticipation. But, for the rest of you, This Is the Moment will be an answer to your prayers. Most longtime Alternative Rock fans know that any new recording from Mike Pritzl is reason enough to cheer, and this new recording doesn't disappoint. The band has been prolific…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Kevin MathewsEssentially a Michael Pritzl solo project, The Violet Burning's latest release is one of the year's strongest, encapsulating the passionate inspirations of '80s post-punk and '90s indie pop while remaining relevant to the new millennium. Pritzl bares his soul and expresses his faith sincerely and artistically without ever resorting to cliche and formula. Highlights include the anthemic…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Matt ModrichThe Violet Burning is similar to U2, especially with Michael Pritzl singing like Bono. However, the main difference between the two bands is that The Violet Burning is more of an '80s pop rock band. This is the Moment is the California band's latest release on Northern Records. What's also different from U2 is that almost every single song on This is the Moment has some form of clear spiritual…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Mark ReidThe year is 2003, a new century--heck, it's a new millennium--and here crashing in on my own little musical world, after many years, is the Michael Pritzl-led Violet Burning. In fact, my last encounter was the 1992 release Strength, whose lyrical magnificence still gets me in {the} heart. I am nothing and I have nowhere to turn I am nothing so I lay down and cry for mercy, oh mercy STUNNING!!!…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Ramona Anne DubeMichael Pritzl and his band, the Violet Burning, sound absolutely incredible on this studio recording with a very full sound that lacks nothing. There are just enough driving drum beats, the right amount of electric guitar, and a few other things thrown in here and there for good measure, to provide a nice bed for Pritzl's incredible vocals. This album is certainly a keeper and an excellent…Similar sounding releases
2000Sunny Day Real EstateThe Rising Tide
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2001Remy ZeroThe Golden HumMore from The Violet Burning
The Violet Burning Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic
1989Chosen
2000I Am a Stranger in This Place: An Experiment in Vibe2000I Am A Stranger In This Place
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