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| Reviews of A Better Way's new album, Wandered |
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A Better Way | Wandered | Sonance Records
Gospelflava.com
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Straying from the beaten path and relishing the unpredicatalbe, Connecticut’s eight-man vocal ensemble A Better Way moves to a fascinating beat on their project, Wandered.
That album title sums up the eclectic nature of their 13-song offering. Amidst all the musically diversity however, their lyrically foundation is solid, anchored to the reality that Jesus Christ is the Way. Strongly supported by in-your-face instrumentals (brass, bass, guitar, rhythm) and marked by close harmonies, ears can’t help but perk at the sound coming from this group.
Group member Joe Scott along with writer Joe Funk compose most of A Better Way’s offerings. Revelling in hard funk, riffing electric guitars and frequent rock stylings, the group shows their strength in songs such as “Ghetto Hymns”, which strings together some familiar spirituals (“Lay My Burdens Down”, “Wade In The Water”, “Motherless Child” and more) with a strong, funky bass line, sax jabs and alternating lead vocalists.
Guest vocalist Lucinda Moore steps in on the live-recorded “If You Think I’m Not Gonna Praise Him (Well You’re Wrong)”, her wide-ranging pipes searing this contemporary cut that comes packaged with James Brown interpolations.
It’s the seventies all over again on “Give Back”, with synth keyboards punching in amidst strong percussion and vocalist Nicole Somerville intertwining with A Better Way vocalists and the occasional rap interlude. The song reminds us that Jesus gave his life for us, and that it is for us to surrender our all to Him.
Amidst all this funk is a freely arranged cover of the Sam Cooke classic “Touch The Hem of His Garment”. Gentle group vocals are woven in ballad fashion over acoustic guitar in the telling of the story of the woman who reached out in faith to Jesus (as told in Chapter 9 of Matthew).
Personal testimony also plays a strong role in the group’s material, with cuts such as “There’s Gotta Be A Better Way”, “I Was There” and “I’ve Got To Give Him The Praise” being ministerial in nature but obviously autobiographical as well. This is the essence of ministry, and it makes for highly compelling stuff.
For something off the beaten path and filled with musical and ministerial excellence, there is A Better Way.
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A Better Way | Wandered | Sonance Records
CMCentral.com
By Robin Parrish
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Part Commissioned, part James Brown, A Better Way's new album Wandered combines elements of contemporary gospel, funk, soul, jazz, and more into a sizzling good time.
The group's lyrics carry messages of crying out in hope and worship, and testimonies of times when God never gave up on them. But it's in the music that they really set themselves apart. It's got to be one of the most eclectic musical palettes I've ever heard -- you'll hear everything from Carribean reggae to heavy-duty rock & roll (with some surprisingly hard electric guitar work), although the songs are built around the eight-member group's intricate harmonies. So while the production styles may change, the music is always rooted in soulful gospel.
With enough style and substance to more than sustain its thirteen tracks, and enough musical diversity to hold anyone's interest, Wandered adds up to one remarkably entertaining ride.
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