It's that Time again to gear up for a new release from Atlanta's best: Third Day. These southern boys took Time out from their touring to record their 3rd CD installment - Time. With 9 No. 1 singles (and counting), these 5 guys have perfected the art of creating quality chart-toppers, like "You Make Me Mad" and "Nothing At All." 3D continues their winning streak this Summer with the much-anticipated 3rd release, Time, their 1st on Essential Records. Time trails away from Conspiracy No.5 and is most comparable with their self-titled debut released in 1996. However, more southern influences are evident on this project, including a well-done southern groove. Oddly, the album kicks off with the rock ballad "I've Always Loved You," a love song written through God's perspective to us. The sound is very different than 3D's traditional rock-song-album-opener like "Nothing At All" or "Peace," which they had used previously. However, the new southern rock ballad (sounding a little reminiscent of Big Tent Revival's "Two Sets of Jones") does set the tone for the album, allowing many strong highlights to follow. In fact, the southern groove-laced rocker "Believe," which follows directly, is one of the main stand-outs on the album, and a guaranteed No. 1 single for the Christian rock charts. "Took My Place" continues the rock sound on the album, with a more upbeat rootsy sound reminiscent of "Have Mercy," off their 2nd album. Another "bound for the top of the charts" song and album highlight is "Never Bow Down," a song about the faithfulness of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the midst of a faithless nation. Some of the album's strongest faith-filled lyrics emerge with lines like the chorus: "I will never bow down / Though I know I will be free from the fire / I will never compromise / All that I have and everything I hold..." "Your Love, Oh Lord" slows down the tempo a bit with a sound different from that seen on any previous 3D recording. The bass-filled percussion and organ lay down the background as Mac Powell's vocals come in, delivering a praise song based on Psalm 36. Time is an album of praise and encouragement. It's a "feel good" album for any mood you're in. If you need to feel close to God, just meditate on songs like "Your Love, Oh Lord," "I've Always Loved You," "Can't Take the Pain" (a song about how Peter must have felt after he had betrayed Christ), "Sky Falls Down," (a song the band describes simply as "a happy little ditty about the end of the world"), and the album-closer, "Give." Although not my favorite track on the disc, "Give" is a phenomenal piece of musical composure. Another praise song to our Savior about accepting not only His love, but the hard times as well, "Give" is a well-crafted song of 8+ minutes that will be a concert highlight and a great song to get your spirit "moving." Third Day has produced and crafted yet another great record. Time is definitely one of the best albums of the year!
Other coverage for this album
7ball #26Reviewed by Christa FarrisIt seems everyone is a critic when there's a new Third Day album. Some fans loved Third Day's self-titled debut, while others dismissed it as a clone of Hootie and the Blowfish. Some preferred the thicker, darker rock and lyrical progression of Conspiracy No. 5, while fans of the first album thought it too heavy and not "religious" enough. The band's third project, Time, won't be any less…