music review: southern hospitality

Disciple's latest effort, Southern Hospitality, is . . . um . . . awesome. I've always been impressed with the way Disciple has managed to be unashamedly declare their faith without sounding like the numerous other

Overall, the album's title does reflect a bit of a stylistic difference from their previous albums. The album, as a whole, leans a bit farther towards the bluesy-southern hard rock than they have before. That being said, don't expect a country album by any means; SH rocks harder than most other of Disciple's contemporaries newest offerings.

Kevin Young's vocals are among my favorites, and Brad Noah's guitar solos really stand out. It's awesome to see a band with talent, faith, a distinct lack of cheesiness, and some of the best guitar solos to come out of 2008.
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Track by track:
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The album opener, "Southern Hospitality" is an awesome start to the album, setting the tone with a slow, bluesy riff reminiscent of Mark Tremonti's newer work. From start to finish, this song makes you want to bang the head and pump the fist, resulting in some awkward stares from the people currently watching me; its hard not to get excited about lyrics encouraging you to get excited and live life to its fullest.

"Romance Me" follows and is much more in line with what I've come to expect from Disciple. It's a fast rocker with a passionate cry out to the only cure to the problems and hardships of life.

"321" comes back to the slow, hard southern rock theme and could very well be the next sports arena anthem in line with Saliva's "Click Click Boom" or "Ladies and Gentlemen". The lyrics depict the excitement of Christ coming again and the desire to work for helping and loving others until that time. Brad Noah also shreds his first of many awesome guitar solos of the album.

"Whisper So Loud" is another fast one that will make you speed on the highway, so be careful. My favorite guitar solo of the album is featured here. Good song, but I have tended to skip it to get to . . .

"Whatever Reason" is the first ballad of the album. Disciple has proved over and over again that they have mastered the rock ballad, and this song is no exception. Heartfelt lyrics show God's love and desperation for us to return to him: "Whatever reason you've been running, I just don't care anymore...".

Bringing in another slow rocker, Disciple throws down in "Phoenix Rising" to rival any other band out there in terms of heaviness.

"Liar" paints an honest picture of the struggle we have with forgiveness as Christians. Definitely the angriest song on the album. Another amazing Noah guitar solo, really showing off some passionate arrangement and speed.

"Falling Star" is one of my favorites in terms of lyrics, encouraging a recovery from bad decisions and hopelessness. Disciple has a way of putting spirituality into a real situation through a song that I have yet to find in another hard rock band. Noah's most expressive solo drives the emotions of this song right to the sky.

"Right There" is faster ballad, another example of Disciple's ability to show the character of God and the passion he has for his children.

The last of the fast songs, "On My Way Down", has some really nice aggressive riffs and hooks that usually don't find their way into a later track on a hard rock album, but keeps the momentum going. The lyrics are among my favorites due to the personal voicing that cries out for protection and guidance "if I'm on my way down." My favorite scream of the album, Young really knows how to wail 'em; also another great solo.

"Lay My Burdens" has an equal chance finding its way into a gospel choir as it does a rock arena or country hoedown. One of my favorite songs on the album, simply because of the catchy hook and blatant southern rock roots. Nice little southern/Hendrix-y intro, Slash-like leads and a simple chorus make for a really awesome end to the album. The ending guitar solo makes me want to start yelling "Lay My Burdens!" at the end of concerts, instead of "Free Bird!"

"Savior" closes out the album oh-so-passionately with a friend, perhaps husband or boyfriend that is praying desperately to help a woman in need of healing that brought tears to my eyes.

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Overall: Two thumbs up, five stars, two fists in the air, and anything else. This album is going to have a special place right with the rest of Disciple's work, a testament to a willingness to rock and a steadfastness in faith.