Album Reviews
Movies
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

The career of Illinois' the Normals, up to this point, has been something of a study in contrasts.  The power trio's 1998 debut, Better Than This, was an effort populated, for the most part, by catchy, straight-ahead pop/rock songs bearing a slight alternative rock inflection.  Following the departure of bassist Clayton Daily, guitarist Mark Lockett and songwriter/vocalist Andy Osenga recruited three new members and then took nearly two years to craft Coming to Life, a decidedly darker, more atmospheric composition that bore a strikingly small resemblance to the first release.

Unlike its two predecessors, the underlying temperament A Place Where You Belong is not quite as easy to pin down.  "Brittle Bone," a captivating treatise on intimacy with God, lays its stark, longing lyrics atop a delicate backdrop that is equal parts classical music and folk-pop.  The understated jazz-funk bassline on the ironically-titled "Happiness" lends the song an enthralling sense of lonely detachment.  And the thought-provoking honesty of "We Go On" (Every guy's just trying to find respect/ In the eyes of a girl/ Who just wants to be loved) is framed by the adult alternative pop textures that populated the bulk of Coming to Life. Despite its significant somber thread, though, much of the new record wears far less solemn disposition.  The appropriately-named "Radio" is a loping tribute to love and the open road whose catchy electronic percussion and enthusiastic vocalizing make it a shoe-in for extended road trips. Likewise, "Less Than Love" (Almost every girl I've ever kissed is married/ And that's not a lot of weddings) works as a sort of polar opposite to songs like "We Go On" by virtue of its sprightly Beatlesque accompaniment and Osenga's witty, self-deprecating sense of humor. 

Although Belong might very well be considered a hybrid of the shining pop sensibility of the first album and the heightened ambience and lyrical insight of the follow-up, it nonetheless winds up besting both releases. While the compositions on Belong are probably about toe-to-toe, in terms of catchiness, with those of the debut, their subtle construction and multi-layered musical approach makes them a more fully fleshed out set of songs.  In the same way, by opting for a more pop-driven approach for the third album, the sometimes overreaching character of the previously-superior second effort is effectively reigned in without sacrificing any of its uniqueness.  Musical kudos aside, though, it is arguably the lyrics that set Belong out front of its forerunners.  For their latest outing, Osenga and his cohorts have managed the rare feat of grasping the essence of the believer's age-old quandary - far enough removed from the world to afford objective comment; near enough to be enticed by its pull - and translating it into word pictures that are both graceful and piercing; wholly original and yet, at the same time, utterly familiar.  For Normal, Illinois' favorite musical sons, the third time is, indeed, the charm. 

Bert Gangl  02/09/2002

Their past two albums got them two Dove Award nominations and a #1 radio hit.  Now The Normals are back with their third release, A Place Where You Belong, and, in my opinion, this deserves just as much--if not more--recognition.

Taking it down a few notches, A Place Where You Belong takes on a slow, more peaceful sound. Using basic instruments for a majority of the songs (acoustic guitars, piano, light drumming, etc.), the sound is kept simple.  But the album is still very enjoyable as each song includes beautiful melodies and displays their extraordinarily touching lyrics. Slow is not always a bad thing--especially in this case.

The opener, "I'll Be Home Soon," got me hooked on the album right away. The song is very quiet and uses very few instruments. But the one instrument that is most apparent is the piano, which adds extra simplicity and beauty. And through this, it makes it easier to focus on the vocals, which are also very quiet and calming. 

The next two songs, "Radio" and "Innocence" take on a faster beat, adding in more drumming, guitars and a bit louder vocals. They are still not as upbeat as most music being released lately, but it's still a very pleasant sound. 

"Grace" was by far one of my favorites. It goes back to the slower sound but also has a great drumbeat. And with that simple beat it adds just enough moving melody. And the focus is again, more on the lyrics, which profess in the powerful bridge, "Oh God I need your grace." Following this is "Less Than Low," which has more of a bouncy beat and louder chorus. As does the next song, "King," which has lyrics that really stand out as he sings: "Have you ever been scared? Well everybody's been scared. I've been scared. God, I've been scared. Have you ever felt pain? Well everybody's felt pain. I've felt pain. God, I've felt pain/ Have you ever had doubt? Well everybody's had doubt. I've had doubt. God, I've had doubt. And it will get better. It doesn't matter. Because I feel love. Oh God, I feel love." 

The next few songs continue like this: Ear pleasing mixes of quiet yet melodious songs, to upbeat yet instrumentally simple songs. All feature beautiful lyrics. And they take us to "Epilogue," the closing song, which a perfect ending to this album. It's got a faster beat, it's a bit more obscure with instruments (sliding guitars and keys, and drums which jumble the sounds together at the end), it has a great beat, and amazing lyrics. 

A few bands popped in mind while listening to this album. In the Christian scene I would compare this mostly to Starflyer 59, and in the mainstream I would compare it to artists such as Augie March, Hayden, David Gray and others in that genre. But no matter whom they sound like, The Normals have proven their incredible talent in this album.

Overall, this is one disc I'll be spinning over and over. It's relaxing, but has just enough upbeat mixes in there to keep your attention. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to those who enjoy quieter/softer music.

Jessica Heikoop 02/16/2002

After releasing their first album in 1998, then their second in 2000, The Normals are back again with their latest release;  A Place Where You Belong  But is it as good as their past albums?

Consisting of eleven tracks, this soft/pop rock album was a definite surprise to me, I was expecting an album with a little more of a rock edge to it. I heard some clips of it on the Internet, and it sounded like a great album, but then I pop the album in my CD player and it sounds really different. My guess is the website had the clips linked to another CD’s clips. But nonetheless, this is an interesting album. 

After listening to clips of their other two albums, it seems that The Normals have slowed down their sound quite a bit with this release. So if you are looking for the same rock sound that they have done on their first two releases, don’t! Or you’ll end up surprised and disappointed like I was! Even though they have a little more upbeat songs like “Radio” and “Innocence”, the album mostly consists of ballads, which to some people may be a good thing. But honestly, if I expect an album to have more of a rock sound, then I like to have either the same amount of rock songs and ballads on an album, more rock songs then there are ballads, or no ballads at all. 

Overall, this album is done very well musically and lyrically, but it is not what I expected at all, and because of that I didn’t like the album as much. I definitely enjoy their first two albums more than I have this one. But if you are a big fan of The Normals and wouldn’t mind their new sound, or if you like soft/pop rock then pick this album up, you will most likely enjoy it. But for everyone else, I suggest you listen to clips on the Internet, or demo it at your local Christian Bookstore before you pick it up.

Josh McConnell 2/17/2002

A concept album rarely produces a consistent theme (see Third Day’s Come Together), and even rarer yet, does the effort result in great music.  Quite often, the effort seems to bombard the listener with a “think about this” mentality and becomes overbearing in its approach.  However, the Illinois-based Normals have put together one of the more impressive albums of the new year with their third release, A Place Where You Belong. 

The band’s sophomore release, Coming to Life, marked a change in writing and musical direction for the band, but left me feeling tired and melancholy.  A more mature artistry was aimed for, but the final product seemed to indicate that the band had been cooped up in a damp studio for far too long.  A Place Where You Belong finds the Normals opening the studio windows, so to speak, and letting their creativity breathe. 

“I’ll Be Home Soon” introduces the album’s tone with Osenga’s longing for home while on the road.  The gentle, acoustic guitar-based song sounds like Osenga’s personal diary, longing for home, but knowing he’ll never find his heart’s desire on earth.   Playing the part of the road-weary traveler to perfection, Osenga sings, “This place tries so hard to break a man.  I’m trying to stand.  I’m drowning in its sorrows, need to catch my breath.  I’ll be home soon.”

“Radio” is a tribute to love needed in a world of sadness.  The conversation-like, up-tempo song compares life to a drive, and appropriately enough, I’ve found it to be a good “windows down” song on the road.  Osenga rips off some heavy lyrics that hit the listener with their truth: “It’s hard to love that we’re learning, but it’s worth all that it costs.  And we don’t know where we’re going, but we just love getting lost.”

One of the more intimate moments on Place is found on track four, titled “Grace.”  Osenga's voice sounds sandpaper-ish and ragged on this song, but it sounds as if he’s putting everything into the song.  Exploring the depths of grace, the song connects the grace needed in a marriage with that bestowed by the Father through salvation.  Osenga’s vivid lyrics are backed by some searing vocals, timely percussion, and fantastic guitar work by Mark Lockett, weaving an intense tapestry of grace.

“Less Than Love” finds the band at a quirky, more experimental state.  Reminiscing about his early love experiences, Osenga sings, “Almost every girl I’ve ever kissed is married and that’s not a lot of weddings, but it’s sure a crazy story and though they all seem now like someone else’s story I wondered what we paid for what we got.”  The song is not all laments and doldrums however, as Osenga finishes with the note, “Love is wonderful you’ve heard…you can’t miss it when it comes…don’t settle for less than love.”  Note: Be sure not to miss Osenga’s cynical side in the humorous phrase “everyone’s grabbing what they can get.”

“Happiness” is a haunting track that is the epitome of Osenga’s stream-of-thought writing style. Osenga mentally wanders through thoughts of his strange surroundings on earth and his desire for a home and belonging that the Christian can only find in Heaven.  And don’t miss what sounds like Lockett’s debut lead vocal performance on “On My Own” or the Barnam and Baileyesque “Epilogue,” which provides excellent closure to the album and bookends the home theme nicely with the opener “I’ll Be Home Soon.”

What is impressive about A Place Where You Belong isn’t just that the Normals aren’t trying to fit themselves into a musical box, but that they accomplish this goal with flying colors.  On Coming to Life, the band seemed to be trying so hard to be something different and artsy (note the references to Bob Briner’s Roaring Lambs), but in doing so, their effort sounded stifled to me.  A Place Where You Belong-- is a huge step of maturity, not only for the Normals, but also for the arena of Christian music.  I doubt they’ll win any Dove Awards or garner many #1 songs, but I really don’t think that was their goal in the first place.

Matt Williams 3/3/2002 

The Normals are a difficult band to classify.  Their debut album, Better Than This, was somewhat in the PFR vein, employing singalong pop/alternative rock songs. Coming to Life, on the other hand, had more of a brooding tone that was quite a contrast from its predecessor. 

A Place Where You Belong seems to be a mixture of these two styles.  "Radio" is a fun song about love and driving down the road with the windows down and the radio blaring.  "Innocence" shows frontman Andrew Osenga doing his best Simple Minds impression.  "Grace," on the other hand, sounds like nothing more than an outtake from U2's Rattle and Hum, which should not be taken as a criticism in any way.  

"Less Than Love" is a song about not settling for less than true love, a mistake often made by those willing to accept something less.  This tune covers the same territory as  VoL's "Facsimile," but resembles PFR musically.  Another standout is "Happiness," dominated by an underlying bass groove.  

"King" may be my favorite here ­ it deals with all of the things we'd rather not go through in life ­ fear, pain, doubt, loneliness, then celebrates the grace of God and the simple privilege of feeling good.  We are reminded that none of the trials mean anything, because their effect is only temporary, as long as we feel love for and from God.  "Epilogue" fittingly closes the album, and has an interesting keyboard background.  

A Place Where You Belong is an intelligent, well-crafted album.  While some have complained about its (lack of) speed, I feel the lyrics lend themselves well to the pace set here.  The place this album belongs is in your CD player.

Brian A. Smith 3/10/02