David Crowder Band - Remedy

Sounds like … a distinctive blend of modern worship and alternative pop/rock, combining elements from Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Robbie Seay Band, Delirious, and Mute Math.

At a glance … a simpler and more accessible album than A Collision was, Remedy still impresses thanks to David Crowder Band's unique vision of worship and their increasingly confident sound.

I know what you're wondering, so let me say it off the bat: Remedy is not A Collision … and that's probably a good thing.

It was almost two years ago to the day when David Crowder Band released their highly acclaimed magnus opus. Those familiar with the album recognize there's never been anything quite like it in Christian music (or beyond) with the truly unique mix of modern worship, alternative pop/rock, and bluegrass. Over the last four years, David Crowder Band has gone from a mere worship band to quite possibly the most innovative band operating within the established Christian music industry today. Impressively enough, even mainstream outlets like MSN seem to recognize it.

Casually sidestepping the B Collision EP (for devoted fans only), how can you possibly follow-up something so wildly creative and varied as A Collision? For Crowder and company, it means doing the exact opposite. Whereas A Collision was epic and almost unwieldy in album length (as well as length of song titles), Remedy seems downright tame with just 10 songs (of which the longest title is a familiar hymn). The sound incorporates all the band elements—acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, programming, DJ turntables, and violin—without shifting wildly between genres like before. Leave it to David Crowder Band to simplify their process and make it seem like a progression by offering their most accessible album since Can You Hear Us? in 2002.

Just because the album is more straightforward, don't assume it comes without a theme. As you might guess from the title and the medical cross on the cover, Remedy focuses on God's constant presence as the answer to our hurts while challenging listeners to be the balm needed in the lives of others. Indeed, the Texas band's 2007club tour is part worship experience, part rallying cry to inspire change in local communities. At the same time, one could view this album as the band's personal healing in response to the tragic death of their friend and pastor Kyle Lake shortly after the release of A Collision.

Worship remains at the heart of these songs, as always, which explains to some extent why Crowder rarely goes deep with his lyricism. From the unconventionally quiet opener "The Glory of It All" and the heavy dance-rock groove of "Can You Feel It?" through the beautiful piano-based tranquility of "Never Let Go," Remedy is a meditation on God's love and unfailing presence. As the album progresses, Crowder takes the message slightly further. The title track acknowledges how God heals his people when they come together in worship, and the acoustic closer "Surely We Can Change" isn't as much a prayer for internal transformation as it is for external influence on the world.

In this way, David Crowder Band challenges our fundamental understanding of a worship album. The majority of these songs are unlikely to make it into the standard repertoire of the average church, though there's plenty for youth bands and alternative worship services. Collectively, however, Remedy works together as its own worship service, with calls to worship ("Can You Feel It?"), prayerful reflection ("Never Let Go"), a hymn of praise (a straightforward contemporary spin on "O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"), a rallying cry ("We Won't Be Quiet"), and a message to challenge listeners to serve beyond Sunday morning ("Remedy," "Surely We Can Change")....

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