Music Review: Third Day – Revelation – Vaults to Elite Status

This review includes a Flash music player with samples of the CD courtesy of THIRDDAY.com. Use the controls to cycle through the songs, to pause, or to stop the player altogether as desired.

Someday around the year, uh, Zero Jesus Christ was born. Independence Day for the United States is celebrated on July 4th. On the 20th day of November in 1974, yours truly was born. Saturday is my favorite day. And on Tuesday, July 29th 2008, Third Day released their latest CD – Revelation.

As an avid Third Day fan (just ask Jason), I was excited to hear that they were releasing a new CD where they were returning to their roots so to speak. Upon happenstance, I ventured into our local Christian bookstore for a Bible highlighter and lo and behold a beacon caught my attention. Although most would call my beacon a giant window ad, I still stood in awe at the opportunity it presented me. I stood in the parking lot with my hands in the sky screaming, “Glory!” Well, not really, but it would have been really funny if I did. Anyway, the ad gave me the opportunity to pre-order Revelation by Third Day. And get this, it also included a free T-shirt with the pre-order. I know! It was a no-brainer and the only downfall was that I had to wait 10 days for the release.

Short intro aside, it’s now time to review Third Day’s latest CD – Revelation. First, allow me to list the songs in order on the CD. Later on I’ll rank the songs based upon my review.

1. THIS IS WHO I AM
2. SLOW DOWN
3. CALL MY NAME
4. RUN TO YOU
5. REVELATION
6. OTHERSIDE
7. LET ME LOVE YOU
8. I WILL ALWAYS BE TRUE
9. BORN AGAIN
10. GIVE LOVE
11. CAUGHT UP IN YOURSELF
12. READY
13. TAKE IT ALL

From the first note you immediately know that Third Day is ready to rock in similar fashion as their self title debut CD – Third Day – and their sophomore release – Conspiracy No. 5. Howard Benson signed on as producer and the result is nothing short of OMG awesome! Chris Lord-Alge did the mixing and Terry Hemmings served as executive producer. And get this! In “Slow Down”, you’ll notice that Chris Daughtry is singing the background vocals. That song is one of my favorites. You’ll also hear Lacey Moseley of Flyleaf sing background vocals on “Run to You” and she does a duet on “Born Again” which I think is awesome. “Born Again” speaks to me personally at this time in my life, but more on that later.

There is not one bad song on the CD. Let me reiterate that thought. THERE IS NOT ONE SONG ON THIS CD THAT DOES NOT FLAT OUT ROCK! Not once have I had the urge to skip a song unless it was to either start the CD over where I had to stop it before or to simply repeat the previous song so I could rock out to it again.

You have songs like “Otherside” that give you the nostagia of a classic rock feel. Awesome! You have typical Third Day rock in “This is Who I Am”, “Run to You”, and “Take it All”. Awesome! You have summer camp-happy-go-lucky in “Give Love”. Awesome! And of course, you have the recent Third Day staple with worship style songs in “Call My Name” and “Born Again”. Awesome again!

I’m going to attempt to rank the songs on the CD in order of best to worst, but by no means does this mean the songs at the end are bad. The songs have to go somewhere. Also, I can only commit to this ranking as of the writing of this post as my opinion has changed several times as I listen to the CD more and more. On my all time list, I have already vaulted this CD to third on my list only behind dc Talk’s Jesus Freak and dc Talk’s Supernatural. It’s that good, scratch that, AWESOME!! Anyway, here is the ranking as best as I can rank them at this point.

1. CALL MY NAME
2. BORN AGAIN
3. THIS IS WHO I AM
4. SLOW DOWN
5. REVELATION
6. GIVE LOVE
7. RUN TO YOU
8. TAKE IT ALL
9. OTHERSIDE
10. READY
11. LET ME LOVE YOU
12. CAUGHT UP IN YOURSELF
13. I WILL ALWAYS BE TRUE

This is not your daddy’s Third Day CD. Well, hmm, I am a daddy… but I’m not your daddy… Or am I? Anyway, as you can tell, I absolutely love the entire CD and it’s a must-have must-buy. Buy the CD and never look back. And to clear it up for all you females out there – I love it love it!

Here are some thoughts and lyrics from the songs on the CD. Sample lyrics will be separated from description and in italics.

1. This is Who I Am – As stated before, from the moment you press play, from the first note and the first word (which is “I’m” by the way) you already start bracing yourself to rock out. The anticipation has already built up by the time you finally get the stupid CD wrapper of the case, get it open and loaded into your player. Third Day immediately proclaims who they are on the first song on the CD and they rightfully proclaim their place in the annals of Christian rock.

I’m a saint and a sinner. I’m a lover and a fighter. I’m a true believer with great desire

2. Slow Down – I have this song fourth on my list but listening to it on it’s own you would think that was too low. It’s one of my favorites (which really I have 8 favorites on this CD – seriously) My favorite part is in the verses with how the unique vocal talent of Mac Powell sings the words “Slow Down”. It has a certain southern charm to me and being a boy from the south in Texas, well, that just sounds like home to me. Of course, this is the song where you’ll hear Chris Daughtry bust out some background vocals. How cool would it be to have Daughtry singing backup. Awesome!

Tell me to slow down, if you see that I’m running the wrong race. Tell me to slow down, if you think that I can’t keep up with my own pace.

3. Call My Name – This is most likely the first song you heard from the CD if you were not part of the crowd that got this CD the day it was released. It is getting massive radio play and I believe it has already hit #1 on the charts. Initially, I didn’t think I could put this song at the top spot on my list because of all the quality songs on the rest of the CD but after multiple plays I found myself unable to put any song above it. The song has unique sounds laced throughout. It rocks yet keeps a worship message and feel about it. This song is going to be hard to beat as the best in my opinion.

When you feel like you’re alone in your sadness and it seems like no one in this whole world cares. And you want to get away from the madness. You just call my name and I’ll be there.

4. Run to You – This song is growing on me fast and it’s hard to believe that I have it at #7, but what song do I put it in front of. I’m telling you. My favorites list just kept growing longer and longer the more I listened to the CD. I would have less stress if I just claimed all 13 as my favorite and went about my business. This song has an awesome message in a prodigal son type storyline. If you’ve ever felt you have strayed from Christian life, then this song will definitely hit home with you. Plus, it’s just plain awesome and the background vocals of Lacey Moseley compliment Mac Powell’s voice perfectly. Very moving.

I confess that I shouldn’t have run from you. Now I know I was wrong. Nowhere to run to and no one to turn to. I’m dying out here on my own. Long before I even though of returning your arms are wide open waiting for me to come home.

5. Revelation – This song is very prayer oriented. Obviously, it’s also the title used for the entire CD. It’s a prayer that is very common among Christians trying to find answers to God’s will. However, the song goes deeper than just simply asking God to give them a sign. We need a revelation of God’s power, God’s love, and God’s guidance. This is a great song.

Give me a revelation. Show me what to do ’cause I’ve been trying to find my way. I haven’t got a clue. Tell me should I stay here or do I need to move.

6. Otherside – This song almost seems out of place on this CD. It’s totally different from all the rest but it awesome nonetheless. There is a strong classic rock feel to the song and it’s one of those that when you play it, your mother will be coming to your room to turn it down. And I no longer live with my mother. I know, I know. You brought me into this world and you can take me out. Well, good, because then I’ll be on the otherside. Yeah, baby!

Take me to the other side ’cause I need something better. Take me to the other side ’cause I want to live forever.

9. Born Again – This is one of the more powerful songs on the CD to me personally. It speaks to me deeply in this particular time in my life because I am starting to feel alive again. I can feel the hand of God working on my life again and it’s an awesome feeling. With that in mind, it’s highly likely I may have this song ranked higher than others might but it’s still awesome. Once again Lacey Moseley makes an appearance although this time it’s a more prominent role. Lacey and Mac sing the song with strong conviction and belief. I listen to this song several times a day.

It feels like I’m born again. It feels like I’m living for the very first time. For the very first time. It feels like I’m breathing. It feels like I’m moving. For the very first time. For the very first time.

10. Give Love – Once again, we have one of my many favorites. This one is unique and nostalgic at the same time. It has a “happy” tune that tends to remind me of youth trips on a bus. Without fail, whenever the song plays I’m forced to sway my head back in forth. To the left, bounce – to the right, bounce. Seriously. I’m driving down the road and I’m bouncing my head back and forth like I’m singing about flowers in the springtime with bunnies and butterflies. I’m a grown man and I’m not afraid to admit it. Listen to the song yourself and see if you can avoid doing the same. I didn’t think so.

When I say I love you I mean it with all my heart. Let it be the best thing that you’ve ever heard. Whisper softly to me. Share with me your heart.

I’m going to stop there. This post is already way longer than I originally intended, but I’m pretty sure it’s clear that this is a CD I feel you should own if you don’t already. Even without the positive Christian themes, the CD is solid musically and well produced. The marriage of Third Day and producer Howard Benson seems perfect and the result is easily Third Day’s best work. As you can tell by the picture, I give this CD two ThinkBox thumbs up and a smile!

ThinkBox gives two thumbs up and a big smile!

ThinkBox is Jeff of Static ThinkBox. Feel free to comment on this post to share your thoughts or visit my personal blog. I would love to hear your thoughts on the CD if you have already purchased it. Thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks to Pop Critics for allowing me to contribute.