By Paul Gibson | May 1st, 2010 | Posted In Album Review

{April 20, 2009}

Tooth And Nail

Okay, way too much good music has been hitting shelves lately, and this one isn’t an exception. Sent By Ravens, has created one of the year’s best debuts with Our Graceful Words.

The biggest notable comparison is to Emery. But these guys are a slightly less adventurous, but don’t worry, it isn’t a turn off. Sent By Ravens have much of the same singing screaming one-two punches like their label mates, but it’s laden with more pop-hooks and perhaps a bit more restraint. Zach Riner’s vocals also sound more mainstream than Emery’s, especially during more melodic portions. Think High Flight Society while singing, but with screams sounding more like Christian from Blindside (a big plus for me).

The guitars have an awesome hard-edged sound ranging from hard modern rock to screamo/metal, having two guitarists really works in their favor leaving room for more depth in their songs.

“Salt and Light,” the most pop-radio friendly track, has a good possibility to win a loyal following among the light rock crowd, with acoustic guitars mixed in and even some strings towards the end.

“Stone Soup,” probably the hardest on the album, would sound right at home on a mainstream rock station, alongside Breaking Benjamin or Bullet For My Valentine. Needless to say, it’s one of my favorites.

The one moment that somewhat loses me is the short intro to “True Bride” which reminds me a little too much of “Don’t Fear The Reaper”, but the intro is only seven seconds and the rest of the song is fantastic.

Worshipful lyrics are heartfelt without sounding cheesy, a feat that seems to daunt many up-and-coming Christian bands.

Aaron Sprinkle and Matt Carter (Guitarist and vocals for Emery), produced Our Graceful Words, which may explain some of the similarities to Emery. But the production work is top-notch in every way, much as we have come to expect from Sprinkle.

After listing from beginning to end I was left with how well they have been able to traverse ground, already covered before. Nothing on this album will shock or surprise you, but it is hard to ignore their chops. This one is as solid as a Monday is long.

~Paul Gibson

Favorite Tracks:

True Bride

Stone Soup

Beautiful List

I Can Hear Her Breathe

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