When I was first introduced to the group Plumb, I had no idea who they were, how long they had been around or where they came from. To my knowledge they were a new Christian band that reminded me of Benjamin Gate and had a new song that really touched my heart. The song that I am referencing is How Many Times, which is being steadily played on all Christian radio stations.
What I was shocked to find out was that Plumb has a vast history in the music industry and has been featured on several television shows as well as movies. This list includes Bruce Almighty, Vampire Diaries and One Tree Hill to name a few. With three number one Billboard dance singles she has also worked with some major names in the dance music industry.
In 2000 they won Modern Rock Album of the Year at the Dove Awards with their 1999 release Candy Coated Waterdrops. Wow, where have I been? However, maybe you are like me and never really knew who Plumb was until the release of their sixth album Need You Now.
When I received the album I wasn’t quite sure what to expect considering the history of the band and the genre in which they appear to be distinguished. I have read in previous interviews with lead singer, Tiffany that she doesn’t really understand why they are labeled as a “Christian” band. She feels more like they just create music that people can relate to and many of those people happen to be Christians.
I personally would have to second that notion, in the fact that I would not classify their latest album as a contemporary Christian album either. I would however, place them in the same category as I would Creed or Skillet. Many other bands get labeled the same way just because they have occasional moments in their lyrics that seem to produce a belief in a higher power. However, when someone thinks of contemporary Christian artist this album simply does not belong in that category.
That being said, I do believe young people, especially teenage girls would really be able to relate to this album. Certain songs actually made me think of several young women that I know struggling through rebellious times. The song Cage definitely describes someone that wants to live on the wild side not being tied down to anything or anyone. “Don’t try to cage me Or save me I am a wild thing I am a creature And I need your Love for a wild thing I’ve got issues That’s for sure But its why you kinda like me I know it boy You can’t put me in a cage.”
Musically the album continues to display the dance/energy sound mixed with a little new age pop rock. When I heard the song One Drop I instantly pictured puppy love teenagers acting goofy together. This is a really cutesy kind of song resonating positive young love. “Come with me now look and see how. There’s an ocean overflowing with our hope so let’s jump in and take a swim it’s you and me yeah forever.”
At Arm’s Length, comes across as a song you would hear in a movie scene where a couple is seeing images of good times, while they are torn apart by the fear of being hurt. It scratches the surface of the scars left by past hurts and the inability to communicate in certain situations without it escalating to an argument. In the end, the passion draws them back together to reunite blindly believing they can heal each other.
Chocolate and Ice Cream is a very cute pop song very fitting for an episode of Glee. I could see the main couple having a good day in their relationship and they stage this performance to start in an ice cream shop. Yeah I know you are trying to imagine it now, here let me help you with this line, “I love it when you say baby. Let’s go take a drive I’m chocolate and you are the ice cream I love old movies at night. You can’t sleep late or be lazy I like to put my feet on yours until I fall asleep.”
There is one piece on this album that I only listened to one time, because it was so horrifically dark and depressing that I just could not bring myself to listen to it again. Anyone who has lost a child unless you have a sudden need to weep and wail into the wee hours of the morning should stay far away from I want you here. And that my friend is all I am going to say about that.
One of the more catchy melodies on the album strikes a resemblance to a Natasha Bedingfield number. Say Your Name starts with a soft heart missing someone and builds to a passionate longing for that person to be there with you again.
I did have to chuckle a bit listening to Beautiful. Many of the lyrics I found relatable in my own marriage. However, the chorus seems to go in a different direction. “You're beautiful so beautiful oh and you hold me tight. You're beautiful so beautiful and I can't speak or I'll cry. Oh I don't deserve you cause I always hurt you then you say the perfect thing. You're beautiful so beautiful to me.” I enjoyed it all except for the chorus because it just didn’t seem to fit the energy that was being portrayed in the relationship.
As far as being labeled contemporary Christian is there are four songs on the album that could rightfully qualify and possibly be heard on Christian radio besides How Many Times. One is Unlovable which touches on the subject of judgment and how non-believers searching for acceptance feel like outcasts in the presence of Christians.
As far as being labeled contemporary Christian is there are four songs on the album that could rightfully qualify and possibly be heard on Christian radio besides How Many Times. One is Unlovable which touches on the subject of judgment and how non-believers searching for acceptance feel like outcasts in the presence of Christians.
Invisible took me back to my younger years of adoration of Jeremy Camp's wife Adrienne Liesching of Benjamin Gate. I love the melody of this song and the way Tiffany wraps her vocals around each lyric. Artistically to me this is my favorite song on the album, since no one in the Christian music industry really brings that vibe into the picture anymore for me it was nostalgic of a band I sorely miss.
I don’t deserve you can be interpreted as a song to a lover, or as a song to Christ. I do believe this is partially intentional as to cross the fence onto both sides. Many songs on the album fit that description. That being said, I do believe this is one of the most passionately delivered songs on the album.
The third song I could hear playing on K love would be Drifting. Partnering with Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay, they give a heartfelt performance of someone reaching out to someone hurting and lost.
I believe it has a lot to do with where you stand emotionally, spiritually and what level of maturity you have reached whether you will glean from this album or not. For those who are just beginning to have a relationship with Christ this should be one of the first albums you buy, simply because you will easily relate to the lyrics. The songs were crafted from original stories from real people. Stories that include hope, loss and restoration. I believe there are many avenues this album will do very well in and Tiffany has been gifted with an undeniable talent and a band that supports her abilities. I don’t believe Plumb will be falling off the charts anytime soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment