How does a five-piece Georgia band who's already snagged 20 number one Christian radio hits and nearly two dozen Dove Awards (and a smattering of Grammys) deliver yet again?
What other Christian band has sold nearly four million records in just a decade? Or has drawn more than three-quarters of a million fans in a single tour, besting the Counting Crows and Alanis Morissette?
Third Day hasn't had time to even catch a second wind.
But like the Chattahoochee, these boys from Atlanta just keep rolling along, delivering still another five-star recording. Must be something in the water. I'd say bottle it, but Coke already did.
Wire is the band's seventh release (discounting the early indie stuff) and is already making hay (debuting on top of the Christian charts and number 12 on Billboard's Top 200). Some might call that a lucky seven, but Third Day is more a product of excellent musicianship, inspiring lyrics and years of road shows than chance and circumstance. Mac Powell even winks at his own "rock star" status ("I wanna be a rock star, but I ain't got what it takes") and recognizes the responsibility of "walking on a wire" for impressionable audiences.
Mac's been around the barn a few times and has matured nicely. Like most southern gentlemen, his roots run deep.
Wire is a musical treat. It opens with a southern scorcher ("'Til The Day I Die") and keeps up the heat with plenty of rockers ("I Got A Feeling" and "Billy Brown"). Nevertheless, the ballads ("Blind," "You Are Mine") create the real balance that makes this easy listening. Mac's powerful, distinct voice, compelling lyrics and Third Day's unique sound only further defines this recording.
This dog will hunt. I can't quit listening to it.
Third Day obviously shows no sign of slowing down. Wire simply tethers a long, successful career in Christian music to what will only be another big year for the band (with potential crossover success). And it's time to drop the comparisons. Third Day doesn't sound like anyone else. Nobody is counting crows anymore. Wire is proof in the pudding.
Which only makes me wonder what they'll really do for an encore?
5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
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2002The Offerings Experience (Video)
1996Third Day
2003Offerings II: All I Have to Give
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