Sonicflood - Cry Holy (13 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

Time to take it in another direction, guys.

Brian Reaves | Anniston, AL USA | 03/12/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"SonicFlood sells records because of an awesome legacy. Their first cd revolutionized worship music and kicked it. Even their live cd, while basically all the same songs, was equally good. Then, for reasons known only to them, the band broke up. Everyone went their own direction, except the bass player who became the lead singer. Now imagine what would happen if Ringo Starr decided to release a new Beatles album without the rest of the band and you get the idea of what you're hearing here. As with their last cd "Resonate", the guys have a different sound from the one that made the band name famous. Unfortunately, the songs on here that are covers of famous worship songs fall flat. There's really nothing new added to them to stamp them "SonicFlood" as there was with the first cd. As a result, the best songs they do on here are the original ones, and it's only when they step into the "familiar" songs that it crashes and burns. No doubt they do a fabulous job doing these songs live, but it just doesn't capture the energy on the cd. "God is Great", "Famous One", and "Here I am to Worship" are great songs in their own right, so you really won't waste your money buying this if you like them. "Cry Holy" and "I Will" are good songs too. All in all, I think these guys need to just drop the name and begin as their own. Two of the three members of Big Tent Revival are in the band, so maybe they should go that direction. The name isn't helping them because the bar has been raised so high that they just don't seem to have the dynamic to reach it anymore. Nothing new here, but if you liked "Resonate" you'll probably enjoy this one too."

Disappointing...

S. Wolfram | United States | 03/21/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD, because I have Sonicpraise (their live album) which is ABSOLUTLEY INCREDIBLE. The lead singer, Jeff Deyo brings their music alive with his passion. So, I popped "Cry Holy" into my CD player the other day, and was shocked to hear what kind of music they are singing. First of all, I didn't know that they are a NEW BAND, with NEW MEMBERS... Jeff Deyo isn't there anymore. And I immediatley could tell... because the songs are sung without any heart or soul, flat and passion-less. I am so disappointed, and as the other reviewer said, they should change their name, because by releasing an album under the name of "Sonicflood" (just because one member of the old band is still there) they have a HIGH BAR TO MEET, and they did not. The expectations definitley overdid this album... I'm so sorry, too."

Sonicflood's "Second" Album.

Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 05/26/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The popular worship band Sonicflood has been around for four years now. Well, that's not exactly true. In a sense there have been two Sonicflood's. The first band was lead by Jeff Deyo and it was this group that made a ground-breaking debut album which changed the face of Modern Worship music as we know it today.
Now, four years later, only the name Sonicflood remains and not the original band. When Sonicflood reemerged in 2001 with the album "Resonate", all of the group's original members were gone. The new band is fronted by Rick Heil who joined Sonicflood shortly after the self-titled album was released. He was originally the band's bassist. It is Heil who now owns the Sonicflood name and is carrying the band in his direction.
The latest Sonicflood album "Cry Holy" is the second to be recorded by the new line-up. While it is a good album, it's not a great album. Many of the tracks simply sound like the band is going through the motions. It's almost as if they are trying to live up to a band name instead of creating what many people would arguably call true praise and worship music. However, there are some genuine moments of greatness that are heard sporadically throughout the album. The title track is a solid worship song with a great hook in the chorus. Their version of "God Is Great" can bring a person to their feet to give high praise to the Lord. "Satisfied" is a driving rock piece which sounds slightly similar to bands like PFR.
Many of the other tracks have some defining moments embedded in them but I must admit that this album is a disappointment compared to "Sonicflood", "Sonicpraise" and even "Resonate".
Back in 2000 after hearing the news that Sonicflood was carrying on without any of its original players, I thought it would've been a better idea if Rick Heil would just allow the Sonicflood name to rest in peace and perform under a different band name. After hearing "Cry Holy", I am even more convinced of it. Sonicflood will always be Jeff Deyo, Jason Halbert, Dwayne Larring and Aaron Blanton. Who we have in their place now is a very good band but it's not really Sonicflood."

Sweet communion with God

J Lee Harshbarger | Ypsilanti, MI United States | 05/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought Sonicflood's debut album back when it was the only Sonicflood album out, and liked it okay, but it was never one of my favorites. It was quite uneven, I thought, some good songs and some uninspiring songs.For that reason, I guess, I wasn't inclined to get their subsequent albums. But I did end up getting "Cry Holy," albeit not with great expectations.Boy was I surprised! What a difference from the first Sonicflood album! Immediately I liked this one much better! Upon looking at the credits, I discovered Jeff Deyo was gone, and in fact I've heard Jeff Deyo's first solo album, and I didn't like it at all, so as far as I'm concerned, it's just as well that Jeff Deyo left Sonicflood because I like better the direction the band has gone without him. By the way, I've now also heard Jeff Deyo's second album, and although it's a little better than his first album, I still don't care for it. There's a lot of energy there but I cannot relate to it worship-wise, not to mention the musical weaknesses of his albums.From reading the reviews of others here, I've learned that all of the original members of Sonicflood have departed except for one. It seems some reviewers are perturbed that this band uses the name Sonicflood, when it's not the same band, and they forever miss Jeff Deyo. I suppose if you were a big Jeff Deyo fan, then you're better off buying his solo albums than buying this. As for saying this band does not live up to the name Sonicflood, I don't get it, because I like this far better than Sonicflood's debut. (I haven't heard any other albums besides the debut and this one.)I like every song on this album. The music is beautiful, repeatedly leading me to a time of intimate communion with God. Song after song dwells on the greatness of God as well as his wonderful love.Something that I find especially pleasing about this album is the guitar work. The guitars on here add such richness to the songs. There are only two songs on here I had heard before--"Here I Am To Worship" and "Famous One." On both of these, the beautiful guitar embellishments make them my favorite versions of these popular songs. The eloquent guitar sounds add to the worship experience, making beautiful music before our glorious God. In my growing up days, people in church would find that a particular organ solo would enhance their worship experience. I was never much for organ; I liked electric guitar. These days I go to a church where the electric guitars are very strong and upfront, so I'm used to the ways in which the guitar can add to the beauty of worship. So many worship albums I get, the guitar is so much in the background that the album sounds wimpy and lacks character. This album shines above most worship albums because the guitars are not buried in the background but are a central contributor to the worship experience.While the guitars on this Sonicflood album are not cruncher-killer, they are upfront and full of beauty. I feel as I worship while listening to this album that I am surrounded by opulent sounds of guitar floating up to the majestic God, or at other times in joyous communion with him, surrounded by beautiful sounds as if in a sonic garden.There have been some complaints in other reviews about the singer's voice, calling it "whining" and displaying "little heart and emotion." I don't feel this way at all. I think the vocals are very fitting to the overall sound of the band. As I follow the words and engage in worship, I feel full of emotion. If the singing were bad or lacked emotion I would not feel that way.I like every song on this album, but I would like to mention two highlights. The climax of the album is "God Is Great," which soars in elation and praising of God. "Rushing In" and "Love Of My Life" are two songs that are particularly sweet in their expression of communion with God, experiencing his love.This album is one of my favorites of 2003, and definitely one of my favorite worship albums. I am certain that I will enjoy this for years to come."

Great CD! Highly recommended!

Darren Hewer | Canada | 07/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this CD for the song "God is Great". I was deciding between this CD and the Hillsong CD (which also contains a version of that song) and I am glad I chose this one!I do not have any other Sonicflood CDs so I cannot compare, but there are tons of great songs on this CD, "Cry Holy", "Everyday", "Unconditional", "Rushing In", "I Will Exalt The One", "Satisfied" and "God is Great" are my favorites. I like the Chris Tomlin version of Here I Am to Worship better ... but the version on this CD is still pretty good.Overall I was really happy with this CD, and am now going to have to (eventually) get the other Sonicflood CDs too :)"

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