Rating:
Genre:
Gospel
Release Date: 04/04/2006
Having evolved from
power pop to heavier
rock back to melodic modern fare,
Sanctus Real blend the styles of their previous two efforts on
The Face of Love. The quartet takes listeners on a journey to a sonic realm of introspection, restlessness, and unresolved pondering as only they can do. If you swirled together
Switchfoot's
The Beautiful Letdown,
Jars of Clay's
Good Monsters and
U2's
How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, the concoction would sound much like this. The influences don't stop there, as traces of
Dashboard Confessional,
Nine Days,
Jeremy Camp,
Mae, and others blend seamlessly together. The impetus for a more mid-tempo, insightful record came as band members dealt with difficult circumstances in their personal lives. Drummer
Mark Graalman's father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away merely two months later. Original bass player
Steve Goodrum was replaced by
Dan Gartley. And vocalist
Matt Hammitt's grandmother passed away after an ordeal in hospice care. This explains the unsettledness of
Face of Love and the absence of more peppy material to rival the hooks on their debut
Say It Loud. Still,
Hammitt's vocals are so rich and mature that he could practically sing a computer owner's manual to rave reviews. Producer
Chris Stevens (
Shawn McDonald,
Tobymac) was a catalyst in evoking the boys' raw emotions both lyrically and musically. The challenge in presenting this personal material came in meeting expectations of another rock-hard outing.
~Jared Johnson, All Music Guide
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