Comments on: Asleep In a Storm (An Album Review)

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:36:47 +0000

For me the distinction would be more along the lines of; does the music sound synthesized or human. I have listened to a lot of material that has seemed to lack in sincerity or passion simply because the performance takes a back seat to the production.

I do not think Sovereign Grace is any more “produced” than say, the Beatles, Celine Dion, or Norah Jones. But with these artists the production usually seems to compliment the music and performances. I am not sure that is always the case for Sovereign Grace.

With their strong biblical/lyrical content, I would like to hear more NEW songs, and am not so eager for their recycling of any given song. (This has got to be the fourth or fifth time they have re-invented You Have Captured Me)

By: singlechristian

singlechristian — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:54:57 +0000

I haven’t heard this piece, but I think I know what you are saying about “slick” — something like “elevator music,” maybe? One of my favorite praise albums is The Lord’s Supper by John Michael Talbot. They just got some regular folk in from their community to worship in the studio as background to his lyrics and vocals. It still works for me a quarter century later.

By: proverbs31

proverbs31 — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:43:01 +0000

Hm. The best I can relate to is this:
Perhaps similar to the contrast of, when singing,… being too technical? Focusing too much on each note being precise, and not really singing from the heart.. Or, when playing piano, the difference between a very clean but unmoving performance and one (still clean) full of passion?

I don’t play piano, because though I could learn to play the notes, I could not master the passion and “story-telling” part. :) And as a listener I can tell a difference between those who have the skill and those who have the gift.

But I guess I never applied that distinction to songs on the radio,etc. It makes sense.

Is that it? =)

By: Brent

Brent — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:52:49 +0000

I’ve been looking for links to these songs but can’t immediately find any to link, but I would personally point to Sandra McCracken’s version of “Thy Mercy, My God,” especially that opening as a good “warm” tone. There is a certain feeling that’s there; it’s very natural.

I don’t personally think that “too clean” is really what’s meant by the use of the world “sterile” in this context, but more a lack of emotion, a lack of warmth.

I’ll try to find some tracks that demonstrate the contrast.

By: proverbs31

proverbs31 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:02:40 +0000

Just out of curiosity..
Can you give a couple of examples of things you consider slick and the sound that you most prefer (links to audio clips or downloads)? I’ve never heard anyone complain about a song sounding too clean, and now my curiosity is piqued. =)

By: cameo

cameo — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:19:18 +0000

agreed. there is a nice middle ground…somewhere between backyard/ bedroom lo-fi and clive owen top 40. i think of records from people like spoon, wilco, and even recent bob dylan. they are recording phenomenal albums in good studios that come out sounding somewhat like the band might sound if they were playing in your living room, whereas SovGrace and other pop worship music sounds like it was recorded in a dentist’s office…sterile…good word

By: Brent

Brent — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:31:23 +0000

I think there’s a balance though between sounding so polished and as if it were recorded in the backyard. “Sterile” is a word I’ve heard used to describe the Sovereign Grace sound and I think there’s some merit to that.

By: sleepy

sleepy — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:06:37 +0000

I also agree. their lyrics are excellent, but they sound a little too clean. some of the artistry is lost unless your purpose was to make it sound that clean than I guess the art has been perfected.

But, on the other hand, is not one of the major reasons you record in the studio is to get the best sound possible or at least the sound that you want? I mean if you want to sound real or “unslick” go record in your backyard. Obviously Sovereign Grace is achieving the sound they want or they would not be recording album after album using the same style.

Telecast has also had that label applied to them by a good friend of mine. He calls them a more refined version of Coldplay, but I still love their music

By: cameo

cameo — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:06:18 +0000

sovereign grace live is not quite as polished as their CDs, but still aims at the higher production value. i have to agree that their songs are great, but often the CDs are overproduced. though i am glad you are enjoying “Asleep in a Storm,” I personally feel that it is just another overproduced album. The vocal tracks are far too slick, and the production just seems so slick. I think the attempt to do something different musically is nice, but I felt that this album really fell short of the mark. I hope that SovGrace will do more collaboration up front with the guy behind these remixes. i.e. it would be great to hear more of his work in actual collaboration rather than in a remix setting. thanks for the review. i enjoy reading the blog…

By: Brent

Brent — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:47:04 +0000

Larry,

That’s a great point that I can’t really speak to. My only real exposure to live Sovereign Grace music being performed by Sovereign Grace musicians was at the 2006 New Attitude conference. I have heard their live CD and it still seems to be quite produced, with many noticable overdubs, etc.