-- "Treat yourself to 'You're My Rock,' one of the best albums we've heard this year!" - Primarily Acappella
-- "5 Stars (out of 5)" - Dan Macintosh
Sweet Deliverance is proud of their album, "You're My Rock", and the variety of styles they perform in this contemporary, a cappella album. If you think a cappella is boring or has no soul, then you have not heard this album. Just read what reviewers are saying about it, or listen to it yourself.
---------
Review by: Dan MacIntosh
Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)
Sweet Deliverance has been making a cappella music together for approximately 30 years. What began as a quartet that mainly focused on Southern gospel music has expanded to seven singers that also incorporate a wide range of styles into their overall sound.
You’re My Rock is mainly comprised of original songs, although a few of this album’s covers are noteworthy. This collection includes a worship song medley, titled “Amazing Love Medley,” which combines praise songs that focus on God’s love. ["Think About His Love", "Show Me Your Ways", and "Amazing Love (You Are My King)"] “I just want to celebrate” is a cover of an old Rare Earth song. The lyric is altered slightly, however, to include a chorus of, “I just want to celebrate, Jesus.” It’s the sort of song that, although not originally intentionally religious, actually fits fairly well into a religious song context.
A couple songs on this collection reveal how far Sweet Deliverance’s sound has expanded since its Southern gospel vocal days. “Thank you,” for instance, incorporates lovely Beach Boys harmonies. It also brings the Beach Boys sound full circle in a sense, as that great California surf music band was originally inspired by non-rock & roll vocal sounds back when they first began. On “It’s Alright,” Sweet Deliverance shows off its accomplished rhythmic sense with a swinging, jazzy song.
The album’s title track rocks just about as much as an a cappella song can rock. It has a steady rock-soul groove, as well as a lead vocal that might well make a heavy metal vocalist jealous. The song’s lyric speaks of how Jesus is a steadying force, in an ever-shifting sand world.
There are few musical styles more appropriate for a cappella vocalizing than Christian music. Christians are commissioned to get the gospel message out to the world, which means the words are especially important. Unlike other styles, such as dance where the beat is central, lyrics to Christian songs simply must be heard. Without the encumbrance of any overproduced instrumentation, a cappella strips away many aural distractions and allows the messengers to get right to their point.
Although Sweet Deliverance is not particularly preachy, they certainly speak out boldly during “It’s Alright,” which includes lines that warn against hypocrisy. If you say you’re a Christian, the song’s words suggest, you best live in such a way that people see your faith in action.
This septet slows things down beautifully with “God of Hope and Love.” The song’s words talk about seeking to worship and know God first thing in the morning, and then throughout the day. The song goes at an easy pace, without any aural percussion parts, as can sometimes be heard on other album tracks. It has a nearly choir-like fullness.
One of these CD tracks, “The Only Way,” comes off like a personal testimony. Christians are many times quick to point out to others how Jesus is the only way. However, in this case, the song’s lyric tells the story of how meaning was sought in various places, yet only found in Christ.
In addition to this group’s medley of worship songs, the act also sings a praise song of its own with “We Sing Holy.” The track is upbeat, nearly R&B, as the singers proclaim God’s holiness.
NBC’s The Sing-Off has given a cappella music much deserved national exposure. However, Sweet Deliverance extensively pre-dates this instrument-less singing group trend. You’re My Rock will satisfy fans of a cappella music, as much as it will please those that enjoy Christian songs. This is a fine collection of vocals, which leaves the listener truly feeling inspired. One can only hope a group as experienced and talented as this one can gain a little more national exposure themselves, as The Sing-Off has already done for others.
Read more...