Hailing from Clearwater, FL Aaron Gillpesie releases his eagerly anticipated solo debut, Anthem Song. The former drummer of Underoath and the current frontman of The Almost expresses his multi-faceted talents in his first gospel album that fully displays his Christian beliefs that he lives by each and every day into song.
The album opens with the jovial "All Things" an acoustic, melodic track that keeps up at a manageable pace where the listener can take notice of all the beauty laid out before them. "Hosanna" picks up the pace a little with wonderful guitar riffs and Aaron's breathtaking vocal ability guiding the song along to greatness. "Earnestly I Seek Thee" is a pure acoustic ballad as Aaron delivers a vocal performance to remember as his passion pours through every single note of the song, leaving you breathless by the end. My favorite track off the album is the disc's first single "We Were Made For You", a richly melodic tune that blends in instruments from all fronts: guitars, drums, and a few others when combined together create a truly groundbreaking Christian anthem. "I Will Worship You" is an acoustic based song that takes a bare bones approach with light drum taps heard faintly in the background that give the song that authentic touch and makes it feel like you're in the studio with Aaron as he's recording it.
The second half of the disc commences with the title track, a melodic and instrumental opus that adds in piano and violin to give it an epic, grandiose sound and makes it feel like you're at the peak of accomplishment. "You Are My Everything" adds a little electric guitar into the mix to make the song approach borderline rock status, while still remaining within the confines of the Christian genre. We get ready to draw the album to a close with "Your Song Goes On Forever", a mid-tempo, breezy tune that finds Aaron singing passionately in a song that is written as a worship song, but it can be interpreted in a different way as a love song for some members of the listening audience. The disc's final track, "I Am Your Cup" demonstrates all the talent that is Aaron Gillespie with his wonderful voice echoing through the lush acoustic guitar arrangement that ties all the elements of the disc together in one cohesive package. I've been thoroughly amazed with the wide range of talents that Aaron has clearly demonstrated since when I first heard him when he was with Underoath. He drummed and sang simultaneously in some songs with furious passion and vigor, and was also frontman for the pop-rock band The Almost when Underoath was on hiatus from touring, now The Almost is his full-time gig. He's my favorite musician, one of my musical heroes and is also in my opinion, one of the most passionate, committed, and crazy talented musicians that I've ever come across in my lifetime, and he's also had a deep and profound impact on me as a person and the way that I listen to music.
To sum it all up, Aaron Gillespie has made a strong foray into the Christian market with a wonderful solo debut that displays his full range of talents adequately. Even if you aren't a fan of Christian music, you can't help but appreciate his talents and what he's got to say in his music.
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- All Things
- Hosanna
- Washed Away
- Earnestly I Seek Thee
- We Were Made For You
- I Will Worship You
- Anthem Song
- You Are Jesus
- You Are My Everything
- Your Song Goes On Forever
- I Am Your Cup
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