Gregory Robson
11/20/09, 05:47 AM
Abel - The Honest Love EP
Record Label: Dreamt Records/Facedown Records
Release Date: Sept. 1, 2009
The Poughkeepsie, New York trio Abel have penned arguably one of the most promising five-song EPs released in the last couple years. The only problem is the group writes worship-like anthems aimed at a Christian audience.
Take for starters, album closer "The World Sings," in which vocalist Kevin Kniefel sings, "We are cowards, afraid to speak the name of God. And we have murdered with dirty hands. Are simple men unworthy of our crowns? Though I'm trying, I'm not like Christ at all. I'm not like Christ at all." It's a candid reflection and a viewpoint many can relate to, but does it have to be so narrow in its focus? Certainly if the song is written as a prayer, its structure can be left alone, but aside from MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine," there haven't been many, if any, praise-based songs that have made it to mainstream radio.
When the band doesn't write songs tailor-made for a tabernacle, there's actually some pretty good poetic terrain at work. Take for example opening track "Dressed Like a King," which spins the following assessment, "There's a call to arms, you're a coward at heart, and it shows all around. There's a battle at hand, you're dressed like a king, but gold weighs you down. So throw off your burden and be saved."
Similarly, "Song of Simon," describes Jesus' crucifixion while the title track sings of both the cross and the true love of God. While writing worship-style verses aren't exactly a bad thing it does make it hard for the band to not be pigeonholed, scrutinized or taken as commercially viable. And that very problem is why listening to The Honest Love is so disappointing.
From start to finish, the entire effort is arresting. Fueled by the emotive croon of Kniefel, driving guitars and one of the most promising rhythm sections in all of indie rock, Abel never disappoints. Each of the five songs features layers of shimmering guitarwork, plaintive keys, soaring choruses and airy breakdowns. Equal parts ethereal, hypnotic and consuming, The Honest Love is a calculated and contrite collection that drips with sincerity, passion and precision.
And yet for all its many peaks, the pivotal question remains, will an agnostic find resonance and substance in a work such as this? Can the music alone rise above the spiritual subject matter? Without an answer to any of those questions, Abel might just be another band with an awe-inspiring album rocking out in church basements. Haven't we heard this story before?
1. Dressed Like a King
2. Song of Simon
3. The Honest Love
4. My Melody
5. The World Sings
Coldplay, Cool Hand Luke, Sleeping At Last
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/abeltheband)
Website (http://www.facedownrecords.com/2009/11/09/abel)
Record Label: Dreamt Records/Facedown Records
Release Date: Sept. 1, 2009
The Poughkeepsie, New York trio Abel have penned arguably one of the most promising five-song EPs released in the last couple years. The only problem is the group writes worship-like anthems aimed at a Christian audience.
Take for starters, album closer "The World Sings," in which vocalist Kevin Kniefel sings, "We are cowards, afraid to speak the name of God. And we have murdered with dirty hands. Are simple men unworthy of our crowns? Though I'm trying, I'm not like Christ at all. I'm not like Christ at all." It's a candid reflection and a viewpoint many can relate to, but does it have to be so narrow in its focus? Certainly if the song is written as a prayer, its structure can be left alone, but aside from MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine," there haven't been many, if any, praise-based songs that have made it to mainstream radio.
When the band doesn't write songs tailor-made for a tabernacle, there's actually some pretty good poetic terrain at work. Take for example opening track "Dressed Like a King," which spins the following assessment, "There's a call to arms, you're a coward at heart, and it shows all around. There's a battle at hand, you're dressed like a king, but gold weighs you down. So throw off your burden and be saved."
Similarly, "Song of Simon," describes Jesus' crucifixion while the title track sings of both the cross and the true love of God. While writing worship-style verses aren't exactly a bad thing it does make it hard for the band to not be pigeonholed, scrutinized or taken as commercially viable. And that very problem is why listening to The Honest Love is so disappointing.
From start to finish, the entire effort is arresting. Fueled by the emotive croon of Kniefel, driving guitars and one of the most promising rhythm sections in all of indie rock, Abel never disappoints. Each of the five songs features layers of shimmering guitarwork, plaintive keys, soaring choruses and airy breakdowns. Equal parts ethereal, hypnotic and consuming, The Honest Love is a calculated and contrite collection that drips with sincerity, passion and precision.
And yet for all its many peaks, the pivotal question remains, will an agnostic find resonance and substance in a work such as this? Can the music alone rise above the spiritual subject matter? Without an answer to any of those questions, Abel might just be another band with an awe-inspiring album rocking out in church basements. Haven't we heard this story before?
1. Dressed Like a King
2. Song of Simon
3. The Honest Love
4. My Melody
5. The World Sings
Coldplay, Cool Hand Luke, Sleeping At Last
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/abeltheband)
Website (http://www.facedownrecords.com/2009/11/09/abel)