 Rand Winburn is doing something no one else is doing in Christian music-- meshing the synth-sound of 1980s new wave pop with new millenium dance beats and Christian lyrics. Odd? Sure, because no one else does this. Cool? Most definitely. In 2006, Winburn had it rough when his wife of 14 years became addicted to her prescription pain medications, went berserk, and threatened to kill him. Yikes! She was arrested, found guilty of domestic violence, and is permanently out of his life. This painful time in Winburn's life tested and fine-tuned his relationship with Jesus, and that, in turn, informed the writing and recording of his new CD, “Soul Seeker,” from Corgi Boy Records. You won't hear anything like this CD coming out of Nashville-- this is one of those diamond in the rough discs worth checkin'.
“Soul Seeker” is the kind of CD that would seemingly appeal to two very distinct types of people: 1) people in their 30s or 40s who came of age in the early 1980s and loved Kajagoogoo, Depeche Mode, and Pet Shop Boys or 2) ravers, myspacers, and club-goers in their 20s living in big, progressive cities like New York or Berlin.
Winburn is a grandfather (a grandfather, people!!!), yet he is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to making music. Though he used to compose music on his electric and acoustic guitars, he found that he loved the unique, ethereal sound he could make using a synthesizer that sounds exactly like something you'd hear from a science fiction/fantasy movie from 1984. If you remember Limahl's song “Neverending Story” from the 1984 film of the same name, you're going to love Winburn's consistent synth-pop sound, which sounds exactly as if it was created in that era, even though it's a 2008 release.
With songs like “Love Flow” and “Alone,” Winburn's lyrics often acknowledge that life is painful while encouraging the listener to press on despite their disappointments and heartaches.
Hope is definitely a major theme on “Soul Seeker,” as is faith.
“River Runs Red” is perhaps the most unique song on “Soul Seeker,” clocking in at ten and a half minutes as it ultimately invites the listener to “come down to the river that's red,” meaning Christ's blood will cleanse any sinner without distinction.
It's not everyday that someone takes the time and money to record a Christian synth-pop record that evokes memories of 1984; you're either going to hate it or love it.
Want to know which category you fall into? Here's how: view the video for Winburn's “God I Know,” a hypnotic effort with stunning imagery. “God I Know” is one of the first Christian music videos to be shot and broadcast on the Internet in High Definition, according to Winburn. Access the video and hear samples of Winburn's Christian synth-pop songs at www.myspace.com/randwinburn.
Rand Winburn's "Soul Seeker" is refreshingly original, as far away from Nashville's Christian music scene as possible, while still managing to present The Gospel to listeners. It's definitely worth a listen. |
