In a time of change and turnover in the industry, artists of faith are having to face tougher questions regarding their musical identity. The age-old debate as to whether the tag line “Christian rock” is valid or merely a genre box that is used to sell records continues to rage on. The answers are ambiguous, with the general consensus on bands like Anberlin and Cold War Kids is that they are “rock bands with Christian dudes in them.” While this perspective serves a functional role for these acts, Aaron Gillespie has other plans.
Gillespie takes a stand in “Anthem Song”
Recognizable for years as the fiery vocalist and seemingly possessed drummer of hardcore band Underoath, Gillespie has carved out an impressive side career of his own. In 2007, he wrote and recorded the inescapable album called “Southern Weather” for his side band called The Almost. That record spawned the top 10 modern rock single “Say This Sooner,” which saw play on Christian and mainstream airwaves alike, while the music video aired on MTV. Despite the secular attention, Gillespie’s philosophy has always been to wear his faith on his sleeves, as evidenced by the heart-wrenching “Amazing Because It Is.”
He takes this perspective even further in his debut solo record, “Anthem Song,” an unabashedly worshipful album. It is Gillespie’s first release since he cut ties with his old band, Underoath, and bears strong similarities to The Almost’s brand of infectious alterna-pop rock.
Album shows Gillespie’s soft side
The first track, “All Things,” is a song that will no doubt lodge itself in the heads of listeners almost instantly. A layered guitar bed resonates throughout the song, with guitar delays and soaring atmospherics buoying the song into the stratosphere in similar fashion to Hillsong United’s material. It is a mid-tempo rocker that will no doubt make its way into underground worship sets.
Gillespie updates the Paul Baloche-penned “Hosanna,” infusing his unique vocal take on a classic worship song. The piano-fueled “Washed Away” displays Gillespie’s singing versatility, alternating from softly sung verses to full-blown anthem-like choruses. Lyrically, the song features typical, overly cliche worship lines such as “we’re so thirsty for your touch, God we need you so much, let your glory fall like rain,” etc. It is forgivable at the end of the day for a worship record such as this one, as it comes down to the heart behind the songs.
Another song that features the hard-nosed rocker’s soft side is the completely acoustic ballad, “Earnestly I Seek Thee.” The hymn-like qualities are hard to ignore, and the vulnerability of Gillespie’s plucked guitars emphasize the raw honesty underlying the song.
The lead single, “We Were Made For You” is a synth-pop song that is reminiscent of an MGMT b-side. Like the famed indie rockers’ song “Kids,” a throbbing bass line propels the verses of this song toward a dynamic and memorable chorus. More sappy lyrics like “You are God, you are God, we were made for you” leech any true power out of the song though, with the words feeling kind of obligatory more than anything else.
“Anthem Song” gives listeners bold worship music
Ultimately, “Anthem Song” comes off as little more than a nice niche album. You have to applaud Gillespie for his boldness in stepping out with a pure, no-holds-barred worship record, but some of the material just isn’t memorable enough. So, while the pop Christian music market will undoubtedly eat this record up, the alternative rocker fans who listen to Gillespie singing on The Almost or Underoath CDs might just take a pass on this one.
