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Miles of Christ-Centered Music

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 07/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: The Best Man, Stand Amazed, When I Get Where I'm Going



For many Christian groups, the name of the band--in this case 33 Miles---is more than just a marketing marquee. Rather, for Jason Barton, Collin Stoddard and Chris Lockwood, 33 Miles is their heartfelt desire that the miles of their lives will emulate the quality of the alleged 33 years Jesus lived while on earth. Such a bodacious yet ardent aspiration is certainly channeled in their choice of material of this debut record. Though this is not a worship CD per sec, but the swath of these songs deal have their vertices uncompromisingly directed towards God. Many of them coming from contemporary Christian music most celebrated songwriters including Matthew West, Sam Mizell and Tony Wood; though the trio (especially lead singer Jason Barton) does have a hand in co-penning 4 tracks. Production wise, producers Nathan Nockels and Sam Mizell have dressed this record in the fashion of Christian pop with shades of country, rock and 70s-styled Eagles harmony---think Rascal Flatts doing a Christian record.



On the uptempo tracks, Jason Barton does exhibit a joie de vivre especially on the raving album opener "What Could Be Better." An anthemic rocker that puts to music the Apostle Paul's words "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain," "What Could Be Better" is performed with a celebratory angst accentuated by some searing electric guitars and booming drum beat. Further, worthy of repeated listens is a trifecta of ballads: starting off with "Stand Amazed," which some striking resemblance to Lonestar's similarly titled "Amazed," is a big ballad of a prayer of abundant to God. While on a cursory level "The Best Man" may sound like a love song, but on a deeper level it is testimonial to the regenerative power of God's Spirit. Shifting gears to more rustic mores is the trio's rendition of Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton's number 1 duet "When I Get Where I'm Going." With a more acoustic feel, this has a more organic edge than the gossamer read of the previously mentioned ballads.



Moving away from the more introspective material, "There is a God" is a down right apology of God's existence witnessed by the beauty of creation. High-charged harmony and aureate-sounding guitars adorn the rocker "Come With Me" with its an evangelistic invitation to know Jesus. However, if there are missteps with this disc, it's that some of the entries here depend too much on the rock-pop template. After listening to almost an album full of such propulsive numbers, one would wish these lads break out the mould into something more venturesome a little. Further, some of the paeans rely too much on over-used clichés: Case in point is "Salvation Has a Name," with its litany of overused lines such as "Jesus, Father, the Maker of Time/Healer, Teacher, the Maker of Light."



Nevertheless, this eponymous debut trumps on its unflinching steadfastness on Jesus and the truth of His Gospel. As far as the evangelical faith is concerned, these boys hit on all the right buttons. But they are not just orthodox robots. These lads sing with verve as if their lives hang on every note. Though this effort begins their miles of proclaiming Jesus on a sturdy note, let's hope their many miles to come will continue to reflect Jesus and the quality of life He brings."