Album Reviews

Third Day may be the most popular rock band you've never heard of. The band has racked up numerous Gospel awards, nabbed 24 chart-topping singles and sold over six million records in its career. Ok, so why aren't they as big as, say, God? Well, that would be blasphemous, but with their stats, Third Day should be as much of a household name as Creed was in the late '90s! But you've probably never heard of Third Day right? The band has a massive Christian following and it's no surprise, since the band camps out in safe, unassuming, utterly wholesome rock-ville, and the music is heavily dosed with vanilla. The band doesn't saddle itself with the showy bombast that defined Creed and frontman Scott Stapp, instead opting to win people over with melodies and by genuinely spreading the word of God.

On Revelation, Third Day doesn't stray from the mid-tempo rock formula or the praise-the-Lord lyrics that have brought them their success. It's doubtful this release will do much to convert millions more people, but it will more than satisfy the people who already cling to the band's clean cut, slightly Southern-tinged rock. The first single, "Call My Name" is a bit melancholy, but it brings the hooks. Album opener "This is Who I Am" is rowdy, probably the most muscular cut on the platter, while "Otherside" once again sees the band exploring its Southern roots by injecting fiery guitar licks. "Born Again" and the title track are the requisite ballads, but they're inspirational and raised on a note of hope. Vocalist Mac Powell's no-nonsense vocals are a wee bit gruff, but their main function is to get the band's Christian message across and Powell's emotive pipes achieve that goal. That's not to suggest that Revelation is alienating in its piety and references to the Almighty; there's just a lot of celebratin' of the Lord, and if you like that kind of thing, it'll suit you. Those not interested in faith-based rock who prefer secular messages might be a bit bored.

If the Lord did indeed sayeth to praise him with a joyful noise, Third Day are taking those words literally and to the heart on Revelation.

— Amy Sciarretto
07.25.08