7eventh Time Down "Just Say Jesus" Review

     On September 3, 2013 the Kentucky based Christian rock band, 7eventh Time Down will kick open the barn doors, musically speaking and deliver their powerful sophomore album through BEC Recordings. They are out to feed the flock that want to rock. Some of you may have already pre-ordered their album or picked it up at a show, but those of you who have not yet had the chance you are in for a treat!

     This album is filled with radio friendly rock melodies akin to a Skillet and Kutless fusion. However, if you are geared more toward the softer rock ballads you will be pleasantly surprised by the symphonious nature of the entire album.

Lead singer Mikey Howard delivers spot on and carries a very similar sound to that of ex-American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry, who has since been 4X certified platinum.

     These four longtime friends brought this album together in Mount Vernon, Kentucky. Produced in the basement studio of front man Howard, the same place they recorded their first song together as teenagers. Though the majority of the album was a unified effort by the band they did join with respected songwriters like Ian Eskelin, Jeff Pardo and Tony Wood on two of the tracks.

     Just Say Jesus speaks to the hearts that continually hurt and long for comfort. When people are at a loss, whatever the circumstances may be, they can find peace and comfort in knowing that He is there for them if they call out to Him. “When you don’t know what to say just say Jesus, there is power in the name.”

     As a Christian, sometimes it’s difficult to get others to see the life changing relationship caused by being bought by the Blood of Christ. Wait for You, is a powerful stance on being loyal regardless of what others think, waiting to be called home. After all is said and done, we win according to the scriptures.

     Good Life, addresses the conflict that we face as Christians through the attacks of the enemy. With a riveting guitar and powerful lyrics like “You cannot stop us now, we won’t give up the fight. We’re swinging from the fence, when the lights go out tonight. So give us all you got, we’re never gonna stop. And when we hit bottom we’ll be climbing to the top of the good life.” I would love to see a video of this in a boxing ring for some reason, showing someone boxing visual attacks of the enemy with a KO at the end. Or course the person would have to tap out and let Jesus take the ring.

     Renegade, is a guitar treat. This song looks in the rearview mirror at the previous life before Christ never hitting the brakes and running toward the finish line. One of the things most Christian’s have in common is remembering what it was like to live in bondage before being delivered through the truth in Christ.

     Free illuminates the desire to walk in that peace. Trusting He is in control of your future, and what is behind you has been erased. “I’m begging for the Lord to come, I’m in a war for my soul but I aint got a gun. I need a cure from a disease that I suffer from.” Lyrically and musically a stand out, I can say that this song is a favorite of mine. I absolutely love the unexpected rap in the middle of a throw down rock song.

     Being broken and shaped into the vessel God intended us to be makes it easier for us to follow Him wholly. Many people pick up the salvation mantel but continue to slip into their old ways not really consecrated to Christ. Shadow is a declaration of dependence upon the leading of God stating, “I don’t need you to tell me the next step we take toward the enemy. I’ll follow you blindly where you go, I’ll go. I will be a shadow.”



      Nothing To Give, is one of the most passionate songs on the album. The cry of a heart in need of being filled with God, or it will be left empty with nothing to give. One of the powerful lines in the song expresses how everyone you encounter is in need of something from you.  If we continue trying to pour into others our cup begins to empty out. We are desperate for the refreshing times that we spend with God on a daily basis. “I will stand strong, I will press on. You are my hope, I’m never alone. So when I stand strong and when I press on, I know it’s your strength and not my own”.

 

Lyric Video For Nothing To Give

 

    
     A formative adjective in melodic formation comes forth in Religious and Famous. Band members Mikey,Cliff, Eric and Austin grew up playing music together and view the opportunity to be used by God doing what they love as a privilege.
Encompassing their southern nature this song brings up where they have come from and how they take no glory in what they are doing now, it’s all about God and what His Son Jesus Christ did on the cross for each person’s freedom.

     Not necessarily saving the best for last, because each person has their own personal tastes, but I have two that I instantly clicked with. One I Am Running To, is such a relatable song on so many different levels with just about every single person that is striving to live for Christ. For those who do not know the personal experience with Christ, it would be difficult to understand that peace that surpasses all understanding. “So much I don’t understand in the middle of the circumstance. But I know my life is in your hands. Tonight, I’m gonna fix my eyes on the only hope that satisfies my heart. You are everything that’s good and right and true. Jesus, I’m coming after you.”

 

  Hurricanes is pretty much what you would expect. Echoing the previous message, placing all your trust in His provision, in His time when He sees fit. “When it rains; when it pours; when the sky falls down; when the waves crash ashore; God I know somehow, you’re gonna get me through. Every storm that I face; every rising tide; you’re love never fails, I know your by my side.” That is undeniable faith. In that statement you trust God with everything that is within’ you, so that no matter what might be surrounding you presently, you know He is the Master of the sea.

Eric Van Zant (lead guitar), sums it up when he says, “There’s a lot of hope in this record, because nothing can trump the name of Jesus ever.”

      One thing is for certain, Just Say Jesus is bound to touch the hearts and lives of those who open their spirit up to the message these southern boys are cultivating in the soul of hearers. Hosea 10:12 “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”

     In an effort to offer hope to others outside of music the band partners with Cure International, operating in 27 different countries providing surgeries and sharing the Gospel with those in need. Recently the band was featured on Air 1's Club Awesome Tour. These four talented gospel rockers who are road warriors will be on tour officially, September through October of 2013.

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