dc Talk - Solo (7 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

Three parts of the whole

Brandon K. | WA, United States | 05/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What if you could take a band and disect it while it was jamming? Taking each instrument and member and letting them play separate from each other, while still playing the same song. It would be a look into what each member brings to the group. And that is what we have here with dcTalk's "Solo" EP. "40(Live)" is an example of what dcTalk brings to the table as a group. Kind of. As is true with most recent Talk work, it is more Kevin Max, and less Tait and Toby Mac. But anyhoo, that's the way it goes. Next up, we've got two Tait Band songs. And they rock. He is easily the most radio friendly of the three, and easily-accessible. "Alibi" is still stuck in my head. Next is Brit-wannnabe Kevin Max. I like his voice. I like his style. So why do I get the feeling HE likes his voice? Anyway, he has a rather creative and interesting "Return of the Singer." Believe me, that made me turn up my stereo when I heard the first strains of East-Indian style vocals. Think Sting's "Desert Rose" on Christ. Toby Mac is a great rapper. His songs always, always have great rhymes. "Extreme Days" almost makes me want to skate. And believe me, that would not be a pretty sight. When you listen to this album, you get the feel of dcTalk -- what each member brings, and how it integrates into one group. Really, my only concern is that three whole albums by these guys will make people tired of dcTalk when they do come together. Hopefully, the variety shown here will continue in all parts of their solo efforts."

Three's company, two's a crowd, one is....Solo

Anthony R. Strain | Modesto, CA United States | 05/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...Despite the manufactured, heady sense of coming attractions that mark Solo and its decidedly perfunctory PR thrust, it's enjoyable simply for the strokes of contrast splashed around by three guys whom you would never ever guess had been in the same group for a dozen years. Tait, Max, and Toby are so disparate, yet so talented that they could almost fool you into thinking they've been on their own for that many years--the new individual sounds can be taken on their own terms, with little or no accountability to the tie that binds, the dc Talk legacy. Tait is to be commended for not taking the high road to cookie-cutter fame as one more mellifluous baritone purveyor of syrupy r&b. With a trio of veteran rockers behind him, there isn't a pelvic thrust (not that there would be, realistically; this is Christian pop, after all) in sight. Tait's new venture really isn't a solo odyssey at all, his adopted bandmates are merely gracious enough to accept his surname for a moniker. Tait's two contributions to Solo evoke Matchbox Twenty, only with Seal subbing for Rob Thomas. If that's not eclectic enough for you, there's Kevin Max, aka KMax, who immediately throws the unitiated off stride with that hip-hop-sounding tag, and then really raises eyebrows with a swirl of tricked-out electronica hints and sophisticated drum loops...Rounding out this sampler of things to come is a freebie cover that hearkens back to the unplugged portions of past dc Talk live sets. The song is U2's "40" which is wrought with passable intimacy, and proper allegiance to its progenitors, Bono et al. Solo succeeds comfortably on its own terms; it serves as a clever piece of salvage for dc Talk fans disheartened by the far-away timetable of the next studio album, and as a tease for the upcoming solo records for Tait, Max, and Toby. Whether any of the three albums will be kudo-worthy in its entirety is only speculation at this point, however."

Going Solo....and with pizazz!

Dustin Faber | Waldron, AR | 05/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"? Great things come in three's. The New York Yankees 3 World Series Titles in a row, the late Dale Earnhardt, the Three Wise Men and the Three Amigos all come to mind. In that list of fame, a group called dc Talk should be present as well. Comprised of three members, Toby McKeehan, Kevin "Max" Smith, and Michael Tait, the group has produced beautiful ballads, awesome alternative sound, and, if you have one of the early cd's, some funky hip hop beats. One would think that since the guys are all in the same group, they would sound the same if each member tried to cut it solo. Enter Solo, an album that could be called a "Single on Steroids." While this album may be short (7 tracks totaling 26 minutes), it is an exciting sneak peak at the upcoming solo albums to be released later this year. Each member has two cuts from their respective albums, with a collaborative re-make of U2's "40." Still think each song sounds the same? This is where you will be informed otherwise. Leading off is "40", followed by "Alibi" and "All You Got" by Michael Tait. K-Max follows with "Return of the Singer" and "Be." And Toby wraps it up with "Somebody's Watching" and "Extreme Days." Each one has their own distinct sound: Tait's alternative flair, Kevin's thought-provoking and sometimes haunting ballads, and Toby's "I'm white and I can rap as good as Eminem," sound. "Alibi" is among "Extreme Days" as the best songs on the album, while "Return of the Singer" left something to be desired. Be warned: without the producing power of Mark Heimmerman (dc Talks' producer since "Nu Thang") except for "40", liking dc Talk will not guarantee an appreciation of the album. However, for the person who appreciates originality, creativity, and well-done music, this muscled up single would be a nice exchange for 11 dollars."

Future of dcT and its members is very promising!!!

Chris Holderfield | 04/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a HUGE fan of dcTalk I was going to buy this album regarless...but I wasnt sure that it would match their work as a collective effort. I was wrong. I cant wait for their next release as a group but from what I heard on the Solo ep, the solo albums will fill the time nicely. First off is the live version of U2's "40". As a fan of both dcTalk and U2, I have to say the addition to this disc is more than welcomed and I'm sure I'm being biased but I think dc Talk does a better job. Where that is all nice and dandy, I'm sure most want to hear about the solo songs by each guy. First off is Mike Tait. Alibi is a hard rockin song that could easily be found on top 40 radio. I would describe Tait's music as a mix of Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam, and maybe a little Foo Fighters. Kmax has two songs next. Both are great but my favorite of the two is Return of the Singer. I feel comfortable in saying it is a mix of Sting and Moby. Its defintely a mood song and it does fit Kmax's personailty to a tee. The final two offerings are from my favorite member of dcTalk(though Kmax and Tait rock)Toby Mac. First song is Somebody's Watching and its what youd expect from Toby. He samples a popular 80's song and the rymes are tight. I maybe wrong but I think the song is about the people who said dcTalk was breaking up and that sort of thing. Its a song that will get stuck in your head. Toby Mac's Extreme Days also appears on the album. Its a great great song but I have it on the Extreme Days soundtrack which came out a couple months prior. I cant wait for the full solo albums!!!!! It shows each guy is extremely talented!!!! GO GET IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

DC Talk does terrific - i mean, solo artists do terrific!

Chris Holderfield | USA | 07/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm used to saying dc Talk, but now I guess I'll have to say them individually for a little while. This CD rocks! The first song, 40, is a great praise and worship song, sung by dc Talk. The next two tracks are from Tait, Michael Tait's solo effort. The tracks are Alibi and All You Got, and are mostly rock/pop based. Very upbeat. The next two tracks are from Kevin Max, and the tracks are Return Of the Singer and Be. Return talks about the stage experience, and Be talks about being yourself, and who God wants you to be. The last two tracks are from Toby Mac, Toby McKeehans solo efforts. True MC comes back with his great hip-hop ability, and I believe has gotten BETTER over the years. The tracks are Somebody's Watching, and Extreme Days (from the movie soundtrack for Extreme Days). I believe this album is suitable for EVERYONE!"

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	dc Talk Solo Genres: Pop, Christian & Gospel Track Listings (7) - Disc #1 40 Live Alibi All You Got Return of the Singer Be Somebody's Watching Extreme Days SOLO (EP)
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