CD Review: Here We Are (Avenue)

This review is a fun one! I mean, I always love writing reviews, but this one is especially fun because it's for an up-and-coming group. Even so, you may have heard of this group. If not, the lineup at the time was Daniel Rivera on tenor, Jonathan Mattingly on lead, and Kasey Kemp on baritone. I say "at the time" because Daniel has since left to join the New Legacy Project, and Kasey's wife, Haley, has taken Daniel's place. Haley also has two original songs on this project, so I'll count her as a group member when I discuss those songs since she's always been part of the Avenue family. Anyway, you probably recognize Jonathan from the Blackwood Brothers. He's still with the Blackwood Brothers because they scaled back their touring several months before this album was released, giving Jonathan more time to tour with Avenue. Well, now that you've had a history lesson, it's time for music class!

1: New Way of Living—This fun opening track features Jonathan and talks about the change that comes about in the lives of Christians because of salvation. I think this song's progressive style fits Jonathan really well. This song has a really fun beat and sets the stage for the entire recording in more ways than one, which you will see.

2: Keeping It Real—Haley co-wrote this one and it features Daniel. Pulling back a bit from the last track, this one is a slower, more introspective song that asks God to give us strength to face everyday life and to help us to be authentic as we spend time with him. The line "in the chaos of these ordinary days" from the first verse is a standout for sure!

3: All I Knew of Him—This one features Kasey and basically reiterates the message of the first track in a different way. This one speaks more of surrender and freedom as it pertains to salvation. I'm having a bit of a hard time putting my finger on the style. It starts out kind of acoustic, but there's also some electric guitar in there too. Oh well. Anyhow, the first verse seems to reference a Bible story, but I can't quite make out the words so I don't know which one that would be. I can tell, however, that it's about a man who was freed of something. Very specific, I know, but I'm afraid it's the best I can do in this case. The second verse talks about remembering what we were delivered from before we were saved. Kasey sings the lead part for most of the song but switches back to baritone at the end, which makes for a really cool effect! This song is fun, has a great message, and is awesome overall.

4: Can't Keep a Good Man Down—I sure love a good play on words, and this song delivers that! It's a cover of a song from a CCM group called New Day, whom I had never heard of before so this song was new to me. I found the original version later, and I think this progressive version is a nice, fresh update. For any others who might not have heard it, it's about the resurrection, how those who crucified Jesus couldn't keep him in the grave, and it's true whether you believe it or not. That theme returns in another song... more on that later. On the first verse, Kasey sings the first two lines and Jonathan finishes off the verse. The second verse almost follows that model, except that Daniel repeats the last line. The bridge emphasizes the fact that you can see all the evidence that Jesus rose again, but it's up to you to believe that the resurrection actually happened. The harmony on the bridge is SO cool! Then again, so is this song in general. :)

5: This Is Now—This song continues with the theme of lives changed by the Spirit. Daniel is featured. There's a lot of electric guitar in the track, but it's put to use in a more laid-back fashion than in the last track. Another nice contrast! I also love how the verses are in a different key from the choruses and then the key changes again after the bridge. It's a very cool effect and one I could hear coming when I listened to this song for the first time! I guess this song would be somewhat of a play on words, too, although more subtle than the last one. But wait! Did Jonathan switch to tenor momentarily on the bridge? It sounds like it! Cool. Another all-around great song!

6: They Could Not—This one features Jonathan and is easily one of the standouts. Actually, Avenue had already recorded this song with previous lead singer Kyle Smith, but it sounds like Daniel and Kasey also redid their vocals for this one instead of just having Jonathan replace Kyle's vocals. You might have also heard Sandi Patty's version of this song, but this arrangement is way different from that one. If you haven't, the first verse talks about how those around Jesus couldn't understand his teachings, and the second verse is the aforementioned continuation of the theme that Jesus couldn't be kept in the grave. After the second verse, the key changes and Daniel takes the lead, and Kasey has a solo line before Jonathan takes the lead again, and wow, that ending is incredible! Speaking of incredible, Jonathan really gets to show off on this one, and in my opinion, the stunning vocal he delivers sounds at times like Tim Rackley of the Old Paths, Gary Casto of Tribute, and Dustin Doyle of Signature Sound. Actually, forget standout. This one's a straight-up must listen!

7: Here We Are—Haley's other original and another Kasey feature. This fun, bouncy tune talks about the journey Christians are on every day and how heaven will be the end of that journey. This song easily sounds like something Signature Sound would do, and it also reminds me of "They Don't Know" by the Kingsmen. Way too much fun and a great message, too!

8: Sound of Amazing Grace—Kasey actually recorded this one with a group called Allegiance back in 2016. Jonathan is featured on this version. This song continues with the theme of changed lives. Stylistically, this song definitely sounds like something the Old Paths would do! It's mid-tempo and sort of contemporary but not really. It is really neat, though!

9: It's the Blood—This one IS definitely contemporary, but not as much so as "Can't Keep a Good Man Down." This song talks about the power of Jesus' blood to save and redeem us, and the second verse discusses how the blood brings freedom. I guess redemption in general is the theme of the album, isn't it? :) This one features Daniel and is a fun listen, even if it's not very fast. It also has a great message.

10: Walking On With Jesus—I first heard this song recorded by the Dixie Echoes, but Avenue's version picks up the speed a little and provides an updated arrangement. I've liked the song since I first heard it, but I really enjoyed the update. If you haven't heard the song, I think it's one of those self-explanatory titles. The first two verses feature Jonathan, and Kasey takes the lead on the third and fourth verses. My favourite line comes from the first of these two: "The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the lame will walk with me." How cool is that?! After Kasey's verses, Jonathan takes the lead again for the chorus (which is the same as the first chorus rather than a second chorus that was in the original song) to finish off this very cool arrangement!

11: I Will Follow Christ—The other standout/must-listen. ;) This one is a very interesting look at Jesus' life with the disciples. In fact, the first verse is presented as if Avenue is singing directly to the disciples, which is an interesting and unique perspective that instantly caught my attention. Kasey sings the first verse and Jonathan sings the second verse before Kasey sings the pre-chorus. The chorus discusses taking inspiration from the disciples' example of following Jesus even when things get tough. Daniel and Jonathan have solo lines on the first and second choruses. The third verse features Daniel and is about how Jesus is still with us even today. I can't quite make out the words on the bridge, but from what I can hear, it sounds like a continuation of the overall message of the song. The guys all have solo lines on the bridge before the last chorus, on which Daniel and Jonathan both show off impressive upper ranges (and I think Jonathan sounds a lot like Tim Rackley again there), and on which they and Kasey all have solo lines. Impressive is definitely the word to sum up this song as well as the entire CD!!!

So there you have it. A fantastic recording that deserves at least one listen. Confession: I think maybe school is getting to my head a bit even though I am off for the summer. I hope I haven't overdone the references to school, but let me leave you with one more: Your homework for today is to listen to this incredible CD!