If I Stop Runnin (1996) & 3-song EP (2009)
Artist: Purpose 
Label:  Independent
Length: 10 tracks & 3 tracks
 

John Lennon is alive and well, not only in the music of his sons Julian & Sean, but also in the music of the band Purpose.  If you're a fan of the late John Lennon – the man & his music – then you will want to check out the music of the band Purpose - especially the songs "Jealous," "Butterfly," and 'If I Stop Runnin."

The band sent me a friend request recently on MySpace, and the musical & vocal similarities to the aforementioned Lennon impressed me greatly.   Don't get me wrong -  this band is not a Lennon clone but has other musical influences as well and are artists in their own right.

The band is the brainchild of Frank & Wendy Dennull out of Somerset, Massachusetts in the States.  Wendy’s vocals are the perfect complement to Franki’s who is the lead vocalist on all tracks apart from the bluesy ‘They That Mourn’.
 
The first Purpose song I ever heard was "Jealous" (not to be confused with Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’) and I was blown away.  It’s a song from God to us human beings in which God expresses His jealousy for our love (in return for His) and a relationship with Him.  The opening lines challenge you to consider your own mortality: 

Take a deep breath, 
hold it in for ever, 
‘cause you’re not guaranteed another… 
 
The song also contains the chilling lines: 
You and your voodoo... 
Shame shame when you need someone to blame, 
why do you use My Name?! 
Treat Me like Santa Claus, 
you want me to fight for your cause, 
but I can’t help domestic wars when you violate My laws. 
Great violin accompaniment throughout. 

Other standout songs are the title track (simply brilliant & the pick for radio airplay) and the bluesy ‘Darlin’ which is an interesting and somewhat humorous but reverent take on Jesus’ parable about the five foolish and the five wise virgins.
 
Musically, the album ranges from rock to folk and blues.

In February of this year, the band completed a 3-song demo.  The opening track "Butterfly" is a song that would be perfect for radio airplay.  The radio-friendly "If You Died Today" sounds as if Tom Petty himself was in the studio and has the following challenging and thought-provoking lyrics:

If you died today what would they say about you? 
If you died today what would they put on your tomb? 
Take a good look in the mirror if you’re able to. 
 And does it remind you of all the things you want it to?

Or is this all an illusion just filled with lies, 
and who's pulled the wool over your eyes? 
Would you like to know? 
Well I'll tell you… 

This review has been long overdue as I was surprised to discover that their well-produced & radio-friendly music has not been reviewed by anyone else to my knowledge.

Check them out - you won't be disappointed.  They are a real gem of a musical find.

Frank Rasenberger     June 2009
www.myspace.com/frankrasenberger