Wednesday, 22 May 2013

The Afters: Life Is Beautiful


Release Date: 16 April 2013
Genre: Contemporary Christian, Pop Rock
Length: 48:05
Label: Fair Trade
Similar artists: Building 429; Kutless; Matthew West; Tenth Avenue North; Sanctus Real
Rating: 4/5

From the first words of the first track, I was captivated. There is something about this album that makes you want to listen to it again and again and again. The tracks just seem to flow seamlessly from one to the other, resulting in an fully immersive musical experience.

Whether it’s the lyrics, the sound quality, Joshua Havens incredible voice, or a combination of these, it seems like The Afters have done it again by producing a really quality feel-good album. From their label debut I Wish We All Could Win to their latest release Life is Beautiful, The Afters have proven themselves masters of meaningful pop.

This, the band's first full album in three years is filled with radio-ready anthems that celebrate the human experience. Life is Beautiful is filled with fun, encouraging and several heart-touching moments that are about how life's beauty rings throughout creation, and each track is sure to stick with you long after each listen.

The fact that it has been three years since The Afters released their last album can cause some concern as many music lovers will know, a bands entire sound and feel can change so easily between albums, often resulting in disappointment as fans will have fallen in love with their original sound. To be honest some of the songs don't have the intensity that I have come to know with The Afters, however this is not necessarily a bad thing at all, this ‘new’ sound is brilliant. Somehow The Afters have managed to produce songs that are mellow and thought provoking yet they still make you want to stand up and dance.

It’s true that The Afters do not crank out albums at the speed some other bands do, but when they do, you can be sure that it's going to be quality. With all the makings of a great modern pop/rock Christian album, the production on this album is brilliant, the songs are strong, and the sound is top notch.

Life Is Beautiful has given twelve songs destined to be in the hearts and sung on the lips of many listeners of the band, long-time fans and new fans alike.

Overall a really spectacular album, definitely one to keep in your collection

Song of the week goes to… Broken Hallelujah

Have a rocking week everyone

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