The Echoing Green "Echoing Green"

Title: The Echoing Green
Category: Dance/Pop
Artist/Group: The Echoing Green
Rating: 5 / 5
It was like a breathe of fresh air. I said to yourself:"WHAT was THAT!?" I wanted to breathe-in deep. It brought a smile to my face....My feet began to tap on its own, I wanted to jump up and down and I almost did. And if I could be ABSOLUTELY sure no one was looking, I could see myself freaking out and generaly make a fool out of myself.

The first time I heard this CD was in the summer 1998, when Dan R. and Won K. played it in Mike and Hyelee's house. Soon thereafter, I forgot about it. The following summer, as I was at christian book store looking for some new CDs to buy, I suddenly remembered the CD....

The band, The Echoing Green (EG), was began in 1992 by the unassuming lead vocalist Joey Belville. Their purpose is to be a ministry, albeit a low keyed one. As their website states: "hopefully you will enjoy listening as we constantly strive to merge beauty, hope, and rhythm. driving the beat of the music is the beat of our hearts... and, if you look close enough, the hope that's in them."

EG's music is not overtly Christian. The music is electronic pop, some cool sampling, bubble-gum techno hooks, and alot of energy. Generally, its fun music, with emphasis on FUN. This CD also reminds me of the synth-pop group "Anything Box" (or "A-Box", anyone remember them?), with its heavy reliance on base, layered with calm synthesizers and clean melodies. In fact, Anything Box and Claude S. (a member of A-Box) are both mentioned in the special "thanks to" section.

EG's lyrics are Christian, but with all the complex electronic layering, it's difficult to make it out. You really have to read the lyrics carefully. Which brings up a question that I'm sure most of you have asked over the years in one shape or another: what makes Christian music, Christian music?

Is it enough that the band members are Christian? Or must they sing songs that have Christian lyrics and/or themes? How overt does it have to be? What minimum number of the songs must have Christain themes? Care must be taken because certain music (New Age, etc.) can sound Christian or spiritual, but are not. Or conversely, certain music can have great Christian lyrics, but musically disappointing. Fortunately, at least for the purpose of this review, the lyrics of EG are Christian and the music's not bad either. But as I said, the emphasis of their music is on fun. I can see unchurched crowds really being turned on to their music (the music always speaks first) then inadvertantly discovering that there's actually a positive message, a gospel message, behind the music. According to Joey B, the Christian audience will always be a primary target for EG. "But I would be stoked if we had a 12" release to club DJs" says Joey. "How many times have you heard a song once or twice yet it stuck in your head for weeks after! I think our music will be effective due to the simple fact that the Word never returns void. My Christianity shows up plain as day in most of my music."

"The Power Cosmic" is about celebration. And it's about sharing that joy. "When the morning comes to be; the sun restores my hope to me; of eternity and I receive it; I saw a stone get rolled away; when the sun came up today; an element of light I long to share; something cosmics in the air."

"Hide" is about struggles, and our need for refuge. It begins with programed beats that sound like a heart beating. It's desperate; sometimes frantic, as one realizes that "every ounce of hope is gone". If you've been there, this song (lyrics + music) will speak to you. The song keeps refraining, "I will hide myself away...." over and over again. And as the song continues, it reminds us: "[you can only hide yourself] away in Jesus' care."

"Safety Dance" is a remix of that well know classic of the same name. In someways, the song epitomized the 80's - that dumb 80's video, not withstanding. Don't have a clue as to why it's included in this CD. It sounds really cool, however.

"Elyon" is done entirely in Hebrew (translated "The Most High"). The female vocals are reminescent of a minerat calling people to worship. The music is surreal with one continuous flow of sound, part church organ, part middle eastern rhythms.

If you're a fan of techno-synth-pop, you'll really enjoy this CD. I give it a 5/5.

Check out The Echoing Green's official webpage

Mark
Kim
3/13/01

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