Search - Forever Changed :: Need to Feel Alive

A winner from start to finish

Brian Reaves | Anniston, AL USA | 01/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Switchfoot fans rejoice, Forever Changed has arrived! It's been a long, long time since I listened to a CD and my very first thought was "Wow!" From the opening song, I was impressed...and it only got better.



Forever Changed is a young band from Florida that recently signed with Floodgate Records. You can't really characterize their sound, but I'd go with Switchfoot-meets-Chevelle-meets-Seven Day Jesus and feel safe. Dan Cole's strong, passionate vocals are right in line with them. Ben O'Rear's guitar work is amazing (though they kind of fake you out with the intro of the first song). These guys sound tight! And when's the last time you actually noticed the drummer in a disc? Well, get prepared to notice everything here.



"The Last Time" starts things with almost a low-key feel at first, and then the music explodes on you. "Encounter" picks up next and keeps you running. Ever heard a band where every guitar solo sounded similar? Not gonna happen here. There are so many little riffs sprinkled throughout the songs you can't get bored.



The title cut is a cry from a broken soul longing to feel something again. If you've ever grown cold inside and watched others excited about their relationship with God, this is how you'd express it.



"Something More" is good, but "Great Divide" has to get you with its lyrics. It's the story of a teenage girl who listens helplessly as her parents scream at each other outside her door. When the father leaves (for good), the song says "She appears to be alive, while dying from the inside out". This is a really emotional song, and it will affect you.



"Romance In Denial" changes pace with a U2 feel. Man, this one got me. One member of a relationship watches in denial as the love dies and things come crumbling down around them. "Dreams, our dreams have come and gone. You claim that you're still chasing yours. So wait-where do I fit in?" This one is a lyrical masterpiece, and I can easily see mainstream radio for this one.



"The Vanity Letter" reminds me a lot of a King's X type of song. The guitars go from hard to clean to a vicious wall of sound, and it's great! "Opportunity" is a call to wake up from apathy and reach those around us. It has to win as the best opening hook on the disc.



"Identical" and "Alone" really showcase Nathan Lee's drumming. The closing song, "Knowledge", might almost seem out of place here. A quiet piano ballad on a rock disc? Don't worry, it works. "You should've known there's more to life than `Live For Today'", the song declares. Then, right when you think you can relax, they bring out the big guns to close the quiet song in true rock fashion.



In all honesty, there's not a single bad song in the bunch. The only warning I can give you is sometimes the lyrics may be too honest for you. There's nothing wrong here, but you can tell these guys have experienced pain before and can remember the despair of life without God. Be prepared to find hope in the midst of struggle.



The production on this disc is top-rate. Tim Taber (formerly of The Prayer Chain, one of the greatest Christian alternative bands ever) was the Executive Producer, but the band credits James Paul Wisner for their sound. They even list the instruments used (haven't you ever wondered?) and a great "Behind the Music" type story of how "The Need To Feel Alive" came to fruition. They shot for a "live" sound, and got it. This is easily my top Christian album so far this year, and it'll take something big to move it. I highly recommend it, and I'm really looking forward to what these guys come up with next!

"

A band that will succeed

Daniel Johnson | Cincinnati, OH | 04/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Without any doubt, Forever Changed is headed on their way to being the next Switchfoot. If you've heard the hype you should believe it. Forever Changed is one of the most talented bands to break out in 2004 and they're only going to get bigger. I love them.



Stand out tracks: "The Last Time", "The Great Divide", "Romance & Denial", "Opportunity", and "Knowledge""

These guys are on their way.

Andrew from Florida | Kissimmee, FL USA | 03/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These guys from Forever Changed have something special with this album. Dan went to school with me and just seeing how much they have grown in the past 2 years makes me glad to know them. This album their first off of the new label is a big time keeper. With songs like Encounter, The Last Time, and Opportunity, they blow you away with the lyrics and guitar riffs. Then you have Romance in Denial and Knowledge and you can clearly see that these guys are definitly a force to be reckoned with."