Beyond The Turntable

If you're looking for an album that affirms the hope we have because of God's grace, but challenges how we as individuals and as a country relate to the world around us, then this album is for you. In many ways, the title says it all. The boy sees God's grace and is secure in it, even in times of trouble. The cynic sees man's perversion of religion and failure to follow Christ's directive to love others as ourselves. The friction creates an almost schizophrenic album that jumps between upbeat and catchy songs to solemn, methodic and convicting rap.

From the boy, we get "It Feels Good to be Out of Control" which sings of the freedom we have in Christ:

Well it's a bit passionate for your radio / But that's alright though / It's good for your soul / And it feels good to be out of control / I said / It feels good to be out of control

From the cynic, we get "Nuisance," which features fellow Gotee Records artist, Matt Thiessen of Relient K:

Let's think about the time that we're spending / Investing in monetary things that are ending / Let's think about it and let's think together and / Let's think about what we can do to make it better / I'm not trying to be a nuisance / I just think we can do better than this / That was simply my two cents / You can, you can take it or leave it

John challenges us to think of others less fortunate on "What About Them?":

What a prosperous wondrous place / Remember to say grace before we scrape our plates / And ignore the crying outside the door / Sure you'll pray for their burdens but you don't want to make it yours / Then lies the problem but there's a world of difference / Crawl back into your happy existence / And feel the bliss of ignorance keep you warm

Musically, this album runs the spectrum from near-spoken word on "Chapter I" to dance/disco on "So Glad." After buying this album, it initially got little play. After a short while and after listening to it several times, the words really came through and the tunes caught on. It's now one of the most played albums in our collection.

Visit: John Reuben