Reason For Living Artist:  Justin McRoberts Label:  5 Minute Walk Music Time:  12 Tracks/47:29 minutes

In the 1980s, the term "college rock" was used to refer to groups such as R.E.M., who scored big with college radio stations and in the process became national stars.  Christian college rock was almost nonexistent in the 80s, with the possible exception of The Choir, who never quite made it to the status of rock stars.

The 90s, however, are a different story.  Bands like Caedmon's Call and Sonic Flood are threatening a takeover of Christian colleges, and it appears that the 1990s version of college rock is going to be held in the folk-rock idiom somewhere.  New 5 Minute Walk artist Justin McRoberts fits nicely into that idiom, with most of the songs on his debut being built around acoustic guitar, piano, and Hammond B-3.

McRoberts, who has had the luxury of touring with ska bands Five Iron Frenzy and The Insyderz, sounds like a combination of Cliff Young from Caedmon's Call and Justin Stevens of the late Dime Store Prophets.  The DSP comparisons are especially warranted on the slow, moody "The Story Stands Alone," with McRoberts' voice being drowned in a quietly intense mixture of piano and lap steel.

McRoberts shows much potential in his poetry, quoting John Donne in "Not Free," and penning tender verses like this one from "Michael's Hands":

    Wednesday evening, 10 o'clock
    Crowd is leaving, he is stuck somewhere
    In-between the darkness and his shaking hands
    Can't see past his burning cigarette
    Won't look up at all
    "There's not much left of me," says this seventeen-year-old

    I am the 5th wheel
    I am the 53rd card in the deck
    I got a "kick me" sign hangin' 'round my neck, Lord
    I'm on the outside looking in

Michial Farmer   11/10/99

Justin McRoberts has a clean sound, but that doesn't mean he steers away from gut-level vocals with bluesy piano hooks.

Guest musicians especially enhance his music. Only three songs utilize the same four musicians; the remaining enlist the help of nine guest musicians, according to the CD liner notes. This contributes significantly to the freshness of the album, avoiding the repetition that can occur when an artist accepts no outside influences in their albums.

One particularly bluesy tune, "5th Wheel," catches the ear with a Jerry Lee Lewis-type intro of two measures of sixteenth note piano before McRoberts comes in with those blues-patented tough-luck lyrics. 

This is an album of rhythm, both vocal and instrumental­-no jazz free form or ambient vocals here.

McRoberts cops a vocal attitude in "Jump Back." He features more of a growl and a wink in this song--probably his best--freeing his voice to express more personality.

A more prayerful longing for evangelism, love, and pain for lost people in the world is expressed passionately through "Heaven Help Me," "With Your Eyes," and "Michael's Hands."

The album isn't confined to blues, but the songs with the most creativity have a blues sound. Two that don't play much with bluesy riffs were McRoberts' weakest: "Don't You Believe" and "Sun Song." Both are too slow and a bit of a let down before the album closes with the devotional and pretty sound of  "Galatians 2:20."

If one likes a more ragged blues sound, this album may please to the tune of  3.5 tocks-­a good freshman effort.

Israel Kloss 2/6/2000