Aaron Gillespie - Anthem Song
Artist:
Title:
Anthem Song
Type:
Album
Released:
08 Mar 2011 (US), 07 Apr 2011 (UK)
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Review
Aaron Gillespie might be a well known name to some, he was the lead singer and founder of The Almost, before that he was the drummer and co-founder of the popular metal-core band Underoath, but now Aaron has decided to release his first solo project called Anthem Song.
The album was recorded in Seattle with versatile producer Aaron Sprinkle (Jeremy Camp, Kutless). Both Aaron's are multi instrumentalists and decided to try and play nearly every instrument on the album. The albums has many co-writes, these include Sarah Hart and Phillip LaRue helping to pen tracks.
When reading about Aaron and what he...
Read More Aaron Gillespie might be a well known name to some, he was the lead singer and founder of The Almost, before that he was the drummer and co-founder of the popular metal-core band Underoath, but now Aaron has decided to release his first solo project called Anthem Song.
The album was recorded in Seattle with versatile producer Aaron Sprinkle (Jeremy Camp, Kutless). Both Aaron's are multi instrumentalists and decided to try and play nearly every instrument on the album. The albums has many co-writes, these include Sarah Hart and Phillip LaRue helping to pen tracks.
When reading about Aaron and what he has tried to achieve with this album, it intrigued me, he goes on to say in the press releases of the album "I have this desire to see our generation worshipping God. But a lot of the people I get to meet through music - kids with tattoos and swoop over haircuts - don't think of worship as 'cool'. I want them to find a home and a vocabulary to experience this kind of music.". To be honest at first I wasn't sure what Aaron meant by that comment, but once I hit play on the album, it totally made sense.
Through no fault of its own, worship music can sometimes get pigeon-holed into a style and sound, acoustic rock music with safe samey lyrics. That isn't a criticism of that style of music, as there are loads of albums of that style that contain amazing worship songs to God. What Aaron is saying is that he wants to write worship songs, expressing his love for God, but not in the safe musical style that worship music can sometimes fall into. A fair point. Yet I can hear the other side of the argument of this, there seems to be a lot of albums that are straying away from that pigeon-hole of soft rock music and are producing albums that are slightly more rockier, yet still strong and creative, lyrically about love to God. Is the argument that worship music is only one style an old argument that people are now moving away from?
Aaron moves away from the so called worship genre in two ways, one is his distinct vocals, which I will come to soon, and secondly the songs have a more rock feel, even an edge to them. Listen to the way he sings I Will Worship You, digging deep vocally to really sing out the words. Probably the best way to show off how Aaron has produced a slightly rockier sound would be to listen to the cover he has done of the song Hosanna by Paul Baloche. Aaron's version is a bit heavier but still showing the amazing message of praise to God.
What I try and look for within a new album is something that stands out compared to other albums out there. I look to see what was the big standout moment of the album, I look to see if the album had a big standout anthem, maybe great musicianship, strong and thought provoking lyrics, but the one thing that stood out on this album was the power and edge in Aaron Gillespie vocals. I'm not saying the album doesn't have any of the other standout moments, but his vocals are very very different (in a good way) to a lot of the vocals on worship albums that have been released recently. His vocals have a good harshness which makes a big different to songs like Hosanna.
Anthem Song is 11 rock-worship songs, lyrically singing about worship to God, His majesty, His grace and His love. If you think worship music is uncool this album is one to check out, but there are also some great worship albums that have been released this year that are good rocky worship album. Also check out the new Passion album, new Hillsong United album and Know Hope Collective.
Review by Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 4 Out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
Earnestly I Seek Thee
I Will Worship You
Your Song Goes On Forever Articles
Aaron Gillespie will release his debut solo album 'Anthem Song' on 8th March 2011. Known as the lead singer and founder of The Almost, as well as being the drummer and co-founder of the popular metalcore band Underoath, Aaron has…
Former Underoath drummer and front man of The Almost, Aaron Gillespie will release his debut solo album 'Anthem Song' on 8th March 2011. The album's debut radio single, 'We Were Made For You', co-written with Paul Baloche, is…
