Music Review: That Was Then, This Is Now
Posted March 23, 2010
By ChristianManifesto,
By Lydia Akinola
GENRE: ALTERNATIVE ROCK
LABEL: INO RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 9, 2010
RATING: 3.75 OUT OF 5
The first major label debut LP is always a big deal for indie bands- it is the beginning of something completely new- navigating the music world as a signed group is very different from being an independent go-alone. For their listeners, it can be an even bigger deal, as every process is streamlined and production becomes slicker, and the whole sound of a band can change. Chasen, named after their lead singer, were that indie group—and That Was Then, This Is Now is that debut, and as a listener- I think, that on the whole, this could be the start of something interesting.
“Castaway” is the album’s opener; its pleasant piano intro leads into a strong pop-rock tune with discerning, insightful lyrics- “My victories are bittersweet/ And now I can tell/ The only place my plans have lead me/ Is right where I fell”. Despite the potential for clichéd pitfalls, Chasen begin firmly on the right track. This is confirmed in “Love In Your Name” with its hooks and compelling vocals, and cemented again in “On & On”. That Was Then, This Is Now is undeniably ‘pop-rock’, for those who dislike it, won’t find a lot to love here, but for fans of Run Kid Run or Stellar Kart, this effort is well worth your time.
Chasen is unashamedly Christian, and in a ‘cool’ genre where ambiguity can be seen as the norm, their blatantly Christian voice is refreshing. Whilst they profess their faith, they have managed not to compromise on originality and artistry, and this is to be commended. For example, “Leave You Alone” is a track about God’s persistent nature despite our masquerading –instead of sounding trite, the message lingers because of the beautiful piano-drive tune. “Bullet” is Chasen’s take on a worship anthem, and it works amazingly well, showing the influence of Chasen Callahan’s years in worship ministry.
That Was Then, This Is Now is a very personal album for Chasen and this adds to the overall rich experience. Behind each track there is a story, and this adds depth, giving the invaluable extra ingredient that mere strong musicianship cannot substitute. “There Is Love” was written drawing from C’shasen Callahan experience of love for his family. The profound “Slow Down” begins with “You see all of the pieces /But I see a life I can mold/You see a bunch of blank pages/But I see potential untold” and was inspired by a conversation Callahan had with his mother on a rough day about the comfort and peace found in Christ.
With Switchfoot, David Crowder*Band and Hillsong all cited as influences, Chasen have chosen the right masters from which to learn the trade. As they continue to develop, move on and progress, as this ‘now’ becomes another ‘then’, they will be able to further meld their talent, and hopefully find their own edge and build more distinctive elements into their music. But for now, That Was Then, This Is Now could prove to be the beginning of something rather special.
Review copy provided courtesy of INO Records
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today! View All Music And Book Reviews By ChristianManifesto | View ChristianManifesto's Profile
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