Artist:Rootdown

Album:Summer Of Love EP

Release Date:June 17 (digital) /July 31 (physical)

Label:Beach Ave Records

So,what caught my attention from this band was not only that it was Paul Wright's side project,but that the seemed to be the only Christian reggae band that there is (I may be wrong though). Also,I saw that they were playing a song from them on my radio station,Air 1. So here is the review.It is an EP,so it only has 5 tracks,the typical number of tracks on a physical ep. Another thing about the album is that it is a collection of songs fit for summer and love (hence the title). The first track is a nice relaxing song called "Sweet Love" and is talking about how people need love in their lives. The next track,"Baby Come Back" is a track about a broken relationship and basically telling the person to come back. "Taking Over Me" is their new single on Air 1 that has a story behind it. It is also available for free download and you can read the story at http://www.takingoverme.com/. The track after this is "Burrito Boy" which is a love song that also involves loving Mexican food.Also,some of the song is sung in Spanish which is pretty cool. The last track,"Summertime In The City" ,well,it's pretty self-explanatory from the title. First time I've ever listened to this kind of music,but I liked it .

Album Highlights:Taking Over Me, Sweet Love, Burrito Boy

Rating:7.5/10 A great album for summer that might not be so great other than in summer,but otherwise, it's an overall good album.

Artist: Take It Back!

Album: Rumors Of Revolt EP

Release Date: 8/18/09

Label: Facedown Records

So,this release looked very interesting to me, so I emailed Facedown for it.I was not expecting much, since Take It Back! is really not my style. However,I had listened some to a track and it got me interested. The first track is named "New Empires" and is about some bad things in our modern world,such as babies not having a father and some other problems.In the end,the singer is saying he will be the change for the modern problems. The next 2 tracks are great punk rock tracks and completely eliminate any heavier things from the first song.Suprisingly,the song "American Fantasy" reminds me of Switchfoot's "American Dream" a little bit and not just because of the title.It may just be me however. After that,there are two cover tracks.The fisrt,"Rise Above" is about rising above all your trouble doubtless of how bad it is. The last track was by a more recent band who is actually on Facedown Records named No Innocent Victim called "To Burn Again". It repeatedly says "give me the fire,to burn in me again" obviously asking Christ to burn inside of someone who has excepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

Album Highlights: Pretty much the whole album,not anything that i disliked.

Rating: 8.5/10 This was a great album! One of the best I've heard this year! This isn't even my style of music, but I love it! Pick this album up off the Facedown Merch Store or Amazon before it sells out!

- Brooks

Artist: Anchor and Braille

Album: Felt

Release Date: 8/4/09

Label: Wood Water

So first off,if you don't know,Anchor and Braille is Stephen Christian from Anberlin's side project.Aaron Marsh from Copeland also played a pretty big role in helping to produce the album and also does some guest vocals. Also,please don't expect an Anberlin-like album or anything close when buying this or just listening to it.These songs are songs that Anberlin would never play,they are far to personal. But that doesn't make it bad. These are Stephen Christian's own personal songs and they are very unique. The first song "Rust" according to Stephen,is about a family member who was in the hospital. The next song,the albums first "single" is "Like Steps In A Dance".It is another great example of Anchor and Braille's unique sound. Another track that caught my attention was "Summer Tongues" which is where Aaron Marsh comes in.The beginning of the song,many other parts,and the very end sound just like a Copeland song. The next track "Calm,Calm Yourself" is a nice,simple piano driven love song. The track also,how do I put this,has a beautiful string section toward the very end of the song. "Wedding/Funeral" is a sad song about someone who died and the onlooker remembered that they were dressed beautifully at their wedding and also ,at their viewing. It is a very sad song. The rest of the album ends out with more good tacks,but out of out of the 4 tracks,I think the best one is "Sleep.When We Die".I got this song as a download earlier in the year from a Faceless International free sampler. One noticeable thing is that Stephen's voice gets very high in some songs,unlike in Anberlin. Also,the album definitely has a huge Copeland sound to it,and Aaron Marsh also does some great guest vocals.If you like Copeland or are a fan of softer indie stuff,I would highly recommend that you pick this album up.

Album Highlights: Like Steps In A Dance, Summer Tongues,Sleep.When We Die,Sing Out,Sheet Music

Rating: 8.5/10 This is definitely one of the best albums I have heard all year!Go pick it up and support Anchor and Braille!

Artist:Ruth

Album:Fix You - Single (from The Covers EP)

Release Date:7/28/09

Label:Tooth and Nail Records

So when reviewing covers,it is always a good idea to listen to the original version, which in this case,the song is by Coldplay.The song is very touching and has a good message to it. Some people have said this was not a good cover and that Coldplay's was a lot better.However,I think I like Ruth's better because I like the nice soothing guitars,the smooth vocals,and the indie folk-rock tone to it. I am just going to take a stand and,no offense Coldplay,say Ruth sings it better. So,I would reccomend picking up the single or waiting for the full release Covers EP Aug. 25th.

Rating: 8/10 I think this is better than Coldplay's and if it's better than Coldplay,it deserves a high rating.