Needtobreathe - Rivers In The Wasteland (Album Review)
Friday, 25 April 2014
Written by Sam Hailes
Needtobreathe have spent the last eight years putting out good records. The band’s fifth album, ‘Rivers In The Wasteland’ is a continuation of that theme.
Forever optimistic, they open the album with a declaration: “If God is on my side, who can be against me?” The lyrics are straight out of the New Testament but they’re couched in music that is contemporary to its core. Wasteland is the perfect set up for the following 46 minutes.
Feet Don’t Fail Me Now may open with a dirty guitar riff and slightly distorted vocals, but the rock element of the band’s music has been gradually toned down since their ferocious debut, ‘Daylight’. Those hoping for a return to the guitar-driven rock department will be disappointed, but there’s plenty to be getting on with elsewhere.
The simple approach applied to Oh, Carolina and Rise Again is welcome and the balance of production on the former is spot on - stripped back, but full of heart and soul.
The same could be said of Difference Maker, where Bo Rinehart brings the religious element to the fore in the chorus: “I am a difference maker, I am the only one who speaks to him, I am the friendliest of friends of God.” By the time the bridge rolls around, he is almost preaching: “If you’re beating death then raise your hand but shut up if you’re not.” There may only be two chords being played, but there’s enough happening to send strangely spiritual shivers down your spine.
Multiplied is, for all intents and purposes, a hymn and a prayer. In the past it was possible to listen to this band without noticing the Christian faith that drives their music, but ‘Rivers In The Wasteland’ is much less ambiguous than previous offerings.
Rinehart’s vocals are better than ever and, generally, he sounds like he’s singing with a massive grin on his face. Those who have had the pleasure of catching the band live will know that’s exactly what the frontman is doing.
Rise Again and The Heart could have appeared either of the band’s last two albums, but Needtobreathe have struck an adequate balance between keeping their current fans happy and taking their sound in a refreshingly original direction. Their three rules for the record - “keep it simple, not too many instruments and be ourselves” – have really paid off.
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