CHAOS CURB COLLABORATION - EVERYWHERE (CD)
Acclaimed second album released December 2014
When the Bournemouth-based collective fronted by singer/songwriter Dave Griffiths released their self-titled debut album in 2012 I for one was hugely impressed with a project which didn't follow the predictable formulaic path of much modern worship but sought to find creative new ways of expressing worship and adoration of our God. But nothing quite prepared me for this album. I've delayed reviewing it to simply see whether the effect it had on me on initial play would continue as familiarity grew. It has. There are two tracks which for me seem to carry the very presence of God. The first, the opener "Immersion", was, musically, a huge surprise. Having heard that the 'Everywhere' album would contain a lot more electronic music influences than the collective's debut still hadn't quite prepared me for a five minute long techno instrumental which is an enveloping soundscape which seems to take the listener on a spiritual journey. Equally captivating was the title track, a song built on two stark statements - "Everywhere I go I try and find you" and "Everywhere I look I try and see you" - over Dave's stark piano chords. It builds and builds into a haunting refrain which again is permeated with God's presence. Throughout the programming by David Evans, Marc James' delicious slide guitar on "Represent" and Dave's passionate vocals all play their part in delivering what is for me one of the finest albums I've ever heard.
Britain's Chaos Curb Collaboration have released their second album, 'Everywhere' as the follow up to their heavily acclaimed self-titled debut album.
Chaos Curb Collaboration is the soundtrack to a network of young adults passionate about declaring the kingdom. Sculpted from over two years of almost continuous recording and writing, 'Everywhere' is an immersive and progressive worship experience.
Keeping much of the same team as before, the collaboration have pushed further into the more left-field electronic sound that delighted critics on the first record. Whilst the chorus hooks are just as singable, the sonic textures are richer and deeper, and even darker than before. In the time-honoured tradition of the 1970's progressive album, there are two sides to this collection, and the songs are largely long-form.
There are times when albums standout, and this can be for many reasons. Maybe it's one song that captures a mood or moment, and it's then associated with that album. Maybe it's a bands defining album, maybe it's an album that just takes your breathe away. And then there are albums that just standouts out from the crowd. This is one of those albums. It doesn't shout the loudest, it doesn't even try to be the same as the trend of the moment. This is an album that is raw, passionate, creative - but more importantly, it's from the soul. These songs hit the mind to provoke, build up and inspire. It still amazes me that music and certain albums can do that to you, but once in a while, albums like this one keep doing it.
The atmospheric, synth led 'Immersion' is a wonderful piece of instrumental music that strangely stirred something within me. We then move to the song Maranatha, this has a really great energy to it with some catchy melodic lines like, "You are making all things new". Yet for me the haunting piano led Everywhere is the gem in this album's crown. The words are hushed but still gut wrenching. There is a real passionate cry in the words "open my eyes, show me what you're doing, open my ears, tell me what you're saying". I also love how this piece of music is given space to breathe into it's own life without being rushed. Simply a wonderful piece of writing.
Atmosphere is a song about changing the atmosphere of the situation you are in, and has a bit of a dance inspired beat to it towards the end. Deep is a stunning low key song, but don't write it off, there is strong quality words and musical moments in this song. The energy of the track Represent is a wonderful way to end the album, Dave Griff's vocals add an air of urgency to the song that pushes the sound upwards and forward.
I found this review hard to write, I could never seem to find the words that captured the beauty of the album. I probably still haven't. I don't think words can ever really explain 'music', sometimes you've just got to listen and let that do the talking. I think this album is one of those kind of albums, you will not really experience the heart of the album until you put it on and listen to its musical soul. So can I recommend you having a good listen into what the guys at Chaos Curb are trying to do. This really could be one of those albums that stand out for you - well it has for me anyway.