2.0

（不足10人评分）

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共11首歌曲

艺人: Citizen Way
语种: 英语
厂牌: Fair Trade Services
发行时间: 2016年03月11日
专辑类别: 录音室专辑

专辑介绍

2.0 is the second major label studio album by Citizen Way. Fair Trade Services released the album on March 11, 2016.

Andy Argyrakis, indicating in a four star review at CCM Magazine, writes, "Get ready for an onslaught of anthems as Citizen Way turns in its second long player, which finds the guys even more seasoned than the first time around following three years of tireless touring." Awarding the album four stars from New Release Today, Amanda Brogan-DeWilde states, "Citizen Way takes that journey with you, and entertains you with some catchy tunes on the way." Jonathan Andre, giving the album four stars at 365 Days of Inspiring Media, writes, "Ben and the rest of the band for creating 11 moments of inspiration, encouragement and heartfelt moments of poignancy!" Reviewing the album for Today's Christian Entertainment, Kelly Meade describes, "With their positive, upbeat approach to contemporary Christian music, Citizen Way brings a collection of encouraging anthems while keeping the message of God's love [and] faithfulness center stage." Chris Major, rating the album a 4.7 by The Christian Beat, says, "Undeniably adventurous and energetic, 2.0 takes the originally high bar set by Citizen Way and raises it even further...The verdict is in - Citizen Way 2.0 is an absolute must listen for fans of any genre of Christian music...Most certainly, 2.0 marks a new era for Citizen Way filled with new sounds, impactful lyrics, and exciting possibilities." Signaling in a two and a half star review from Jesus Freak Hideout, Mark Rice says, "Citizen Way has totally lost their identity on 2.0. While moments of clever songwriting and an energetic opening track elevate the album above a total pass, it is hard to understand the band's decision here to abandon an approach that they could have pursued and perfected just to leap into mediocrity by starting all over from scratch."

The result is an 11-track record sporting pop-rock influences, infectious lyrics and a creatively ambitious new sound from the trio, composed of Ben and Josh Calhoun and David Blascoe. 2.0 sees the band pushing their artistic boundaries with songs like the funk-inspired “Bulletproof” and the soulful, stripped down ballad “I Will.” It also carries with it a decided level of maturity and vulnerability.

The band recently went through a season of changes. Bass guitarist Ben Blascoe announced his departure from the band as Calhoun and his family made the move from their home base at Judson University in Illinois to Nashville, Tennessee so that the vocalist could focus and invest in the group’s new record. The singer and his wife also experienced devastating loss with the miscarriage of his son, Jeremiah.

Calhoun relied on his music and the band to get him through the tragedy, and from it was born the album’s first single, “When I’m With You.” “I wrote that after we lost Jeremiah,” Calhoun recalls. “So many things are wrapped up in this song. How death brought me closer to life. How losing a son made me love my little girls more when I didn’t know I could.” The lyrics, Anytime, Anywhere, Any heartache/ I’m there/There’s never too much/There’s only grace, describe the singer’s unwavering sense of faith in spite of his family’s incredible loss. “That’s how I feel about God’s word because that’s how it’s always been for me. It feels like I'm not alone in the foxhole. I’m getting shot at, but at least we’re together.” The song is already striking a chord with the band’s fans.

“It does that thing that people connect with,” Calhoun says. “It grabs the heart, and it grabs the ear.”

If Love Is the Evidence was the band’s first impression, 2.0 is the group’s statement record. It’s a blend of old and new -- a chance for Calhoun to reach deep into the roots of his small-town Wisconsin upbringing while testing the limits of his musicality. The singer grew up listening to his mother playing Chopin, Mozart and Bach while artists like James Taylor, DC Talk and Newsboys took up valuable real estate on his own bedroom walls.

Those influences permeate the new album.

“It’s part of our DNA, it’s what we grew up with,” Calhoun says. The album’s closing number “Bulletproof” is a testament to that. The bass-thumping, funk-pop throwback track fuses the beat of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” with lyrics that echo Ephesians Chapter 6. The song speaks to the power of the armor of God mixed in a style that instantly transports you to a 70s roller skating rink.

“I’ve been through spiritual warfare where the enemy attacks me because I’m sharing the Gospel with people,” Calhoun says, “But I’m just operating in the way God’s made me. I want others to feel comfortable doing that too.” Calhoun also wanted the album to show fans a more personal, intimate side of himself.

“I wanted to reach that little part in my heart and my soul that I haven’t reached yet, and I wanted to talk about it because it’s there to be explored.” When Calhoun was just eight years old, the singer remembers seeing the Christian rock group Geoff Moore and the Distance live for the first time and feeling a seed being planted. He hopes Citizen Way can give that experience to the next generation.

“Knowing when we’re on stage and when we’re sharing the Gospel, we do the same thing and the Holy Spirit just waters those seeds and lets them grow just like he did for me, that’s everything,” the singer says. The group prays their latest offering can meet people where they are, offering encouragement, uplifting their spirit and reminding them of the power of God’s promise. “My goal is always to put a hook around God’s word and let people sing it,” Calhoun says. “I want people to fall in love with Jesus. If they come singing ‘Bulletproof’ or ‘I Will,’ then great. I just want them to know that the word of Jesus is something worth following and I’m going to spend my life and my energy on it because I believe in it that much.”

2.0

专辑介绍

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