Articles Music Reviews Review: Live Life Loud by Hawk Nelson
| Review: Live Life Loud by Hawk Nelson |
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 By Tim Gibbons When I hear that a band is releasing their fourth album I get excited because I want to see how the band has grown and matured over the years. I also look for cohesiveness over all the albums when I look for the changes; bands that are constantly experimenting and radically changing their sound with every album don't usually last very long. After almost 30 play-throughs of Hawk Nelson's fourth cut, Live Life Loud, I can assure you that this band has grown and matured in the signature pop-punk sound that we fell in love with way back on Letters to the President.Hawk Nelson wastes no time sucking you into the moment with the first and title track "Live Life Loud". The opening 30 seconds greets you with a chorus of cheerleaders chanting "Come on get your hands up! If you wanna take a chance! You've gotta sing a little louder! Lets wake this crowd up!" and a Ramones-esque punk drum beat. The song challenges everyone to chase their dreams and refuse to be quiet ("I'm not sitting down 'til I'm older. I'm not shutting up 'til its over") and serves as the overall theme for the album according to bass player Daniel Biro, “The phrase seemed to encompass the overall theme of this band,” he says of the project’s in-your-face title. “Along the way things can get a little loud with our music. And we’ve always wanted to encourage our fans to pursue their dreams—to not settle for second best in life. Be bold. Let your voice be heard.” The second track "Never Enough" keeps up the intensity with a syncopated drum beat and deep, driving vocals. "Its never enough, it keeps getting tough. I want to hear your voice but you keep breaking up" the song cries out. Despite the in-your-face intensity of the first two tracks, Live Life Loud is has a more mellow feel to it overall, offering more acoustic songs. While many of the tracks speak of deeper issues, the album is not depressing and keeps the more upbeat approach Hawk Nelson fans love. The track "The Meaning of Life" talks about refocusing your life on God. "Gonna find a new beginning. Lately, I'm tired of the life I'm living." Other more mellow songs include "Long Ago" which is about relationships, and the hymn "'Tis So Sweet" featuring Jenn Helvering amidst a chorus of Celtic drums and bagpipes. Hawk Nelson's Live Life Loud sets out to entertain us, make us think and energize us about our relationship with God and it does not disappoint, not even the earliest fans. Hawk Nelson is growing up and I can guarantee that this album will have you tapping along and singing before the end. | |||||
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