Water
Artist: Between Thieves
Label: Tattoo
Length: 42:19 minutes/ 12 songs
The past year has seen the release of sophomore projects from many
bands who were involved in the wave of Christian "alternative" projects
a couple of years ago. A number of those bands have started to push the
boundaries a little more now that the initial wave of enthusiasm for their
previous brand of pop-rock has worn off, and Between Thieves are no different
on their second release, Water. Unfortunately it takes them quite
a few tracks to get there, it's not until the seventh track that we begin
to see something new.
"When Gabriel Cried" is a restrained, atmospheric piece that bears
the hallmarks of producer Steve Hindalong and engineer Derri Daugherty
(collectively The Choir). This instrumental track subtly utilizes prolonged,
slightly muffled cymbals which build up atmosphere in an unusual way, and
a prominent fluid bass. Regrettably the track lasts little more than two
minutes and then the band goes right back to jangly guitars.
While the instrumental track is the most interesting offering here,
the lyrical imagery is also of a consistently high quality. "Living
God" and "Alive" both provide excellent examples of the band's ability
to fashion messages of faith and encouragement into commendable lyrics:
Unselfish, unyielding grace
That covers my fate
A child in helpless trial
Your spirit falls, You carry me on
I love, I serve
I praise the Living
("Living God")
Flying on way too close to the sun
On paraffin wings and a prayer
I've pushed the limit, now I've gone too far
I've gone further than most would dare
("Alive")
Nevertheless, the attention to lyrics is not matched by the music, resulting
in the album's downfall. Otherwise competent, jangly, driving pop-rock,
Water needs something more to stand out in the changing field of
popular music.
By James Stewart (3/10/1999)
