Todd Agnew: Need

Alastair — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:56:24 +0000

Purchase Todd Agnew: Need –
Todd Agnew official site

SYNOPSIS
Joel: I have to be honest here; I am in no way a fan of Todd Agnew’s stuff. My sincere apologies to him. Ok I got that out of the way. I think this CD may be closest to what I expect from him stylistically. Most of the time when I have listened to Todd he sings with this very interesting voice on a ton of ballads or straight rock songs that are very reminiscent of The Crash Test Dummies. However Unlike them I don’t think it has worked out. Then I heard this CD with Choir backed tracks and this crazy song “Deep Love of Jesus” and I realized this man was born for Carman meets Brian Setzer type music.
Conner:
Mike: I wasn’t sure what to expect here. My first listen to this CD, I was less than complimentary. It took two or three listens for me to get a feel for what I was hearing. Unfamiliar with Todd’s prior work, I can only tell you what I got out of Need.The album has it’s moments. It seems at first that Todd has some issues with rhyming and meter, but then I realized that’s his style. The first cut – “Breakable” – is a decent rocker with an uncomfortable first verse, but then it settles in. Todd seems like he’s forcing some of his vocals, and coming off as a cross between Jeremy Camp and Carman. If that’s what he’s aiming for, he did fine. I grew to like the quirky “Deep Love of Jesus.” It reminds me of a old-fashioned, down-home revival meeting. I’m not sure about the fast then slow then fast “Higher Ground.”
Al: I like Todd Agnew. I like his lyrics. I like his bluntness. I like how he cares more about what is said rather than worrying if too many syllables are used in a line, or worrying if it’s going to rythme perfectly.Todd definitely has a message to bring and these songs are like sermons. They are birthed out of life experiences and there is a rawness about it.Like previous songs from Todd, he likes to focus on the sacrifice and pain incurred by Jesus on the cross and uses very vivid imagery in his lyrics. This album features several tracks with a gospel choir which really fill out the sound. I have to admit I quite like that. Not sure about the Carman-esque “Deep Love Of Jesus”. Hmmm.

BOTTOM LINE
Joel: This is simple. If you like Todd then you will like this CD. If you don’t like Todd then you still might like this CD. I really think Todd is coming into a great fit style wise and maybe should start doing some revival stadium meetings with Carman. That last line isn’t a joke. I really think that rock style fits his voice best. I think if Todd keeps doing this style he may build a brand new audience. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Conner:
Mike: I guess Todd Agnew fans will like this. There are some catchy songs here. I think if Todd had a better choir and the vocals were slighty back farther in the mix this would be a great album. I bet some of the songs are great live.Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Al: There is two or three tracks on here that for me stand out above the rest. By the very nature of these songs and the stories they tell, some will mean more to people than others. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

MUST HAVE SONGS

Joel:

I Need No Other
Gloria

Conner:

Mike:

I Need No Other
Gloria
Breakable
Deep Love of Jesus

Al:

I Need No Other
This is probably my favourite song on the album. Great for church too. It’s hymn-like.
Higher Ground
This song was a little weird for me at the beginning, but now I love the gospel injection and the way the song is split between Todd and the choir.
Gloria
The Love Of God
Jesus, The Hope Of Glory
Another good church song and the next song to be released as a single.

SONGS FOR CHURCH

Joel:

I need No Other
Gloria

Conner:

Mike:

I Need No Other
Gloria
Deep Love of Jesus (but only at a revival meeting!)

Al:

I Need No Other
Gloria
Jesus, The Hope Of Glory

The joint review gives Todd Agnew: Need Overall Rating: 2.83 out of 5 stars

the joint review » Todd Agnew

Todd Agnew: Need