12 Stones
Genre: Rock
Official Web Site
12 Stones Bibliography: (click on each album cover to view tracks and 12 Stones lyrics)
12 Stones Biography Just when you think hard rock is all about dead pigeons on stage and wretchedly offensive tattoos, along comes one of the most incredibly talented group of college-age rockers to ever appear in music -- and the most amazing twist of all is that these guys are blatantly Christian, not just in a Lifehouse 'spiritualized' sense, but with lyrics that are downright gripping, exploring what it means to be Christ-like in a brutal, fallen world.
The band's debut is glimmering with intensity right from the opening primed-for-radio track. 'As I search for your hope, I'm finding so much more,' sings Paul McCoy, as the furious drone of guitars and drums echoes his own despair. For some reason, while the music is always slightly foreboding, the overall feeling is one of positivism and hope. In fact, the grunge just makes the hope seem even more alive. Eric Weaver plays guitar as though the instrument is connected to your inner thoughts, immediately creating a frenetic discord and pulling all the instruments together at the same time.
'Broken' is an easy, early candidate for song of the year. Keep in mind that my own musical tastes fall somewhere in the Caedmon's Call and Jars of Clay camps, but this hard rock anthem of brokenness has perfect Creed-like power to make it seem like the songwriter really means what he's singing about. Check out the deep struggle of conviction that comes through lyrically:
I question why you chose to die
When you knew your truth I would deny
You look at me
The tears begin to fall
And all in all faith is blind
But I fail time after time
Daily in my sin I take your life
There's also no questioning where the writer is come from on 'The Way I Feel' when he sings 'In the midst of darkness Lord, my spirit calls for you.' The power in the music is real, and all throughout the album there's a sense of hope, of asking questions, and of leading people to the truth. There's a clean quality to the music, even though it definitely borders on hardcore metal at times with plenty of screaming and frantic drums. Amazing as a 'metal worship' experience, this 12 Stones connects deep and delivers honestly.
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