The Violet Burning:: "This Is The Moment"

Title: This Is The Moment
Category: Alternative Rock
Artist/Group: The Violet Burning
Rating: 5 / 5

Lovesick Everywhere I Go Radio Jesus Superstar The Only One I'm Not Letting Go Heaven Holds My Heart Lost Without You Near Me Lord, Rescue Me Slowa I See Stars Let It Begin Manta Rae

"...As a young punk rock, drug addict I challenged God one day to prove to me that He was real. You see, for me, I cannot believe in something that is not real. And so I asked Him from the depths of my heart to prove Himself to me, to forgive me of my sins, and to change my heart. And in that moment I could feel a flood well up within me [and] I remember falling to my knees and weeping for days...." Michael Pritzl.

For all the Violets fans out there, you know what I'm about to say. Don't need to read further (re: "one of Christian music's most enduring underground alternative rock bands"). But for the rest of us, read on:

This past April, a visitor to the music review section of Emmanuel's website sent an e-mail to the effect: "Have you heard of 'The Violet Burning'? They rock! Check these guys out!" (Thanks Vinnie L.!)

I had heard of The Violet Burning (TVB) before, but the few commercial websites that had their music samples had convinced me that they were too "out there" for mainstream Christian audiences. Besides, their last CD was released two years ago, so I had forgotten about them. Then two months ago I found out that they were coming out with a new disc. I listened to a few samples, pre-ordered online, and waited in anticipation.

Having now heard the TVB's latest offering This Is The Moment for a full week, I have to say that this is one of the most raw indie rock CDs I now own. I can only describe the music as some of the best of '80s "New Wave" rock with a touch of electronic music. This album is amazing!

Songwriter and lead vocalist Michael J. Pritzl is the able voice of "The Violets." Hailing from Huntington Beach, California, Michael grew up in and around the Los Angeles punk scene (Clash, The Pistols), as well as '80s music (The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Jam, U2, Psychedelic Furs). It is no wonder that "The Violets" have an eclectic sound. Michael J. Pritzl has been making music under "The Violet Burning" name, defining the "alternative" in alternative Christian music for over a decade. From all accounts, this is Michael's most accessible and up-tempo project to date.

Lovesick is the first cut. The first five-second intro reminds me of a Joy Division/New Order song, but when Michael's soft voice chimes in, you realize this is not Bernard Sumner. At first, the voice seems too soft, almost weak, to the point of not being able to discern the lyrics: "Come on!/Show'em what we've got/All rise/Let's give it all we've got".... Michael's voice quickly gains passion, as he sings: "I wanna be where you are/I wanna be by your heart/Got it! Got it, Got it!/Lovesick, yeah I'm amazed." His voice grows on you and the hooks are there to pull you in.

"Everywhere I Go" and The Only One are TVB's venture into classic praise and worship. They are great songs, but they both have twists. Everywhere I Go, for example, has these lyrics: "Everywhere I go/I want to be with you/Your heart has made me whole/I wanna sing it/Wanna get up, get up/Your love is my everything." Then the song has this brief glam rock interlude: "Oh yeah...give me that song!"

Radio Jesus Superstar is my favorite track. It refers to the power of music to draw people to God. Again the catchy hooks are there and one can't help but agree and sing along to the chorus:

Please, Jesus, Please
I've got a broken heart
Shower me in halo songs
Oh never, never, never stop
O can't wait, gonna go full on
The radio Jesus superstar
The very first time I met you
You were hanging on my heart

Heaven Holds My Heart is representative of most of the songs on this disc: worshipful, introspective and personal. It's a juxtaposition of melancholy and joy. It reminds us that our faith is a journey, often with pain and tears, and that there is also the ever loving presence of God who draws us to his side, guiding us home.

"Lord Rescue Me" is a modern rock spiritual. Slow and ethereal, like you're meandering down a gentle steam.

"Let It Begin" sounds like a track from the The Beatles' White Album, as Michael's voice crones in minor keys with the base: "We've got the sun/Oh let it shine/Let it shine/We've got the sun/So let it shine....Yeah!" (Insert most rock screams ever)... It almost sounds like John Lennon screaming at the top of his voice with a matching guitar solo to boot.

If you have eclectic tastes and you're seaching for an alternative worship album, This Is the Moment may be for you.

Discography (incomplete)