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ChristianMusicDaily
Christian/Gospel Music News, Reviews & Interviews
| Tribbett, Tye |
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Philly's Tye Tribbett & G.A. (Greater Anointing) is a Gospel music tour de force and Kirk Franklin's heir apparent. On Stand Out, their latest project recorded live at The Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Tribbett is full of so much energy you'll need a shower after listening to this new joint!
 On his last CD, Victory Live, Tribbett established himself as someone to watch in the Gospel music world, and he caused some heads to turn with lyrics like "come out of homosexuality, come out of lesbianism." This young man is not afraid to tell people what he thinks, and, in turn, a lot of fellow young people are paying attention. When I was in a van with a bunch of young black teens, they wanted to hear the new CD, Stand Out, and they were singing along even though it was so new to them. Instantly accessible? Yes. Full of energy? Oh boy, yes-- this is worship music for those under 30 who want to dance and shout and praise the Lord til the roof falls down. Indeed, seeing Tribbett and his group of about a dozen singers (Greater Anointing) live at Canada Christian College in Toronto recently, the venue was shaking because the bass was so loud you could feel it in your bones. Interestingly, Tribbett does not come across as your typical black Gospel singer/recording artist on Stand Out. Instead, he does an Israel Houghton/Darlene Zschech kind of thing, making globally-minded worship music that appeals to people of all races, such that white people could just as easily adopt his songs, like the anthemic crowd pleaser "Let Us Worship" and the tender "Chasing After You" into their church environment, just as much as blacks could. To connect with older blacks, Tribbett offers some "church" sounding songs familiar to the black Gospel audience, like "I Made It Through" and "He Has Made Me Glad (featuring Kim Burrell)," the former being a foot stompin', hand clappin' jam, and the latter being a lush, jazzy declaration with riffs and runs countless black girls and women will be imitating in their church services. Tribbett's music is generally true to form when it comes to black Gospel music, but in some cases, it is almost rock/ heavy metal-- "So Amazing," for instance, is an example of Tribbett employing a heavy use of guitars, synthesizers, and tribal drums making your heart skip a beat because it's all so intense, as if Prince or Parliament Funkadelic got saved and wanted to point you to Jesus. There's no fooling around or wasting anyone's time with this collection of songs-- Tribbett is serious as a heart attack to boldy proclaim praise for his savior, and to encourage all those listening to praise Him with 110% of their very being. On both "Stand Out" and "All Hail The King" it's as if he's a drill instructor and he's getting his troops in line. On the slower R&B jams, like "Look Up," the groove is still there, but when Tribbett lets a female singer take the lead, it doesn't feel like a Tye Tribbett song, but a typical black Gospel song instead. That's not to say it's a bad thing, but then Tribbett is reduced to speaking a few words (like Kirk Franklin would) rather than singing, and it's not his total element. The Tye Tribbett people know and love is at his best singing his butt off, hitting high notes (or letting out a joyful squeal), and jumping around the stage like he just had a case of Red Bull, and, so, it's a bit of a letdown when he's just speaking/preaching and not singing to a hyped up beat. There's a mix of fast and slow songs on Stand Out. Greater Anointing really shines on one of the slower songs, "Well Done," where they get to show off their vocal prowess, making heavenly harmonies as the piano and strings back them up on this warm ballad. The opposite of the relaxing "Well Done" is the bonus track, "Good In The Hood," which employs that sped-up "Chipmunk" sound that was so popular two years ago on some tracks. "Good In The Hood" is a rap-rock song that will probably appeal to young people under 21, who'll find it easy to rap/sing along to this song for the streets. Overall, I imagine Tye Tribbett & Greater Anointing's Stand Out will become a platinum-plus selling release, because as a unit, they've got the hooks, the beats, the heart, the charisma, the youth, and the passion needed to connect with millions of people. If you like Kirk Franklin, you need to run, not walk, to the store and get you some Tye Tribbett today! --Mark Weber, ChristianMusicDaily.com |
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