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Another worship band??? Sigh.

On paper, Divine Invitation has the makings of a great album. A talented collection of musicians meet two of the most revered 
producers/musicians in Nashville to make what should be a premiere worship album for the worshippers of the churched world.

On paper that is.

Something Like Silas is another in a string of bands with worship-leader roots and aspirations to cut a record.  Composed of five 
members, they are not short on talent by any means.  And not many bands can say that on their major label debut, they have legends, and the people who started this whole rash of worship albums in the first place, Derri Daughtery and Steve Hindalong as their producers.

Something Like Silas utilizes a Brit-pop sound that at times sounds similar to fellow praise banders Delirious.  On Divine Invitation, the producer’s influence is felt in the often-moody dreamy tone that was a staple of their band, The Choir.

Admittedly this is a good album­how can it not be?

But, everything on here is nothing I haven’t heard so many times before.  Especially limiting are the lyrics, as there is only so much 
depth you can put into a worship song.

If Something Like Silas wants to make a mark in the music world, they should take a page out of Delirious’ book and expand their repertoire.  They certainly do not suffer from lack of ability, just too narrow of a focus.

To sum up, I can say I have no large complaints as to the quality of this album, just an overall disappoint at what this band could be.

Noel Lloyd  6/14/2004

Wow!  The brand new project from Something Like Silas, Divine Invitation, is a refreshing splash of cold water in a hot, dry summer!  Folks who dig modern rock style worship will find a treasure in the first Sparrow/EMI release from Something Like Silas.  Guitarist/vocalist Eric M. Owyoung blends voices with background vocalist/keyboardist Malina to bring a feeling of brokenness and longing towards our Heavenly Father.  The songs feature nice acoustic bits, tasty electric piano, and ethereal guitar backdrops that paint pictures inviting us to join in and experience the worship.  Ambient keyboards and cutting guitar tones wrap the worshipful and poignant lyrics in an aural cloak of wonder. 

Divine Invitation blends dramatic, near epic worship ballads with up-tempo worship rockers.  Stand out tracks include “Infinite” which starts slow and moody and builds into a rocking crescendo of praise and “In the Burning” an atmospheric, driving “longing for the cool, healing touch of God”--an accurate description from the press materials.  My favorite cuts are the brief solo piano confession of  “Weight of the World,” and the ambitious finale/love song “I Fall.”

Fans of such diverse groups as the Choir (Steve Hindalong produces and Derri Daugherty engineers, Coldplay, Delirious, U2, David Crowder Band, and The Violet Burning will want to run (not walk) to pick up this release.  

Check ‘em out on the web: http://www.somethinglikesilas.com

Barry Nothstine 7/12/2004
 
DJ Barry hosts Soul Frequency (http://www.soulfrequency.com), a weekly FM and Internet radio show showcasing progressive rock, instrumental rock, Christian rock, power-pop, Psychedelic rock, rock classics and more—great rock for the ages!