06.18.08
NEW CD REVIEW…20/20 BY TRIP LEE
As a pastor, one of my great pleasures is to introduce believers to material which will help them to grow in their faith, grow in their knowledge and appreciation of God, and to share with them the resources which God has used to encourage and equip me for the Christian race. I’m pleased to recommend to you a new CD from reach records, entitled 20/20. This is Trip Lee’s new release, presented in the form of Christian Hip-Hop music. I want to give my impressions of the CD and point you to a few of the tracks which might challenge and edify you in your walk with Christ.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS AND OVERVIEW…When I first began listening to the CD in my car, I noticed a few marked differences from Trip’s first CD (If They Only Knew). His initial CD I believe was perhaps a once in a lifetime accomplishment. It is marked by such clarity, forcefulness and awesome lyrics and themes that knocked my socks off. I was stunned, inspired and hooked from the very first track. His current CD, (20/20) hits me a little differently. Yes the quality is there, yes the lyrics are challenging and biblical, but it is a different kind of listening experience from his first CD in my opinion. One thing that makes or breaks a CD or song for me is its ‘listenability’ (yes I made up that word)…how easy it is to listen to, how clearly it’s message comes across.
I noticed on 20/20 that the music track (instruments) often overshadow the lyrical track (the words, the message). In my opinion this makes the initial impression of any song less impacting, because it takes greater concentration and effort to pull the theme and message out of the song, it requires more focus and concentrated attention. This problem goes away after several listenings, or by reading the lyrics provided on the lyric sheet. One kudo to reach records is that they provide the lyrics to every song on the CD on their website, which is a great benefit to my old ears, which sometimes miss an important word or phrase.
My appreciation for the lyrics and message of 20/20 overshadows the unbalanced mixing of instrumental levels. By taking the time to read and listen closely to each song, I have a great admiration for this CD, and the help it can provide to believers in every walk of life. Here are a few titles and my overview of them.
1) 20/20 INTRO…This track gives us an idea where the CD will take us, namely to a better focused view of our great God and Savior. Anything that raises our perspective and appreciation of God will benefit us, and Trip and his fellow musicians have graced us by urging us to look upward with them, see the greatness of God, and worship Him for who He truly is. Several of the tracks caution us against false views of God which are always unhelpful and dangerous. Read the rest of this entry »
