Album Review: Gerald Scott and Co. – ‘Incredible’
Artist: Gerald Scott & Co.
Album: Incredible
Street Date: 7/17/12
Record Label: Habakkuk Music
Genre: Gospel
iPod Pick: Bravery (feat. Dr. Robert F. Cheeks)
We’ve had our share of front man choirs and vocal bands on the Gospel platform ( Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singer, Myron Butler & Levi, Kirk Franklin & 1NC) and last year brought with it Gerald Scott & Co.’s Incredible. From the start, what I love about Gerald’s ‘Incredible’ is it side stepping popular clichés we have gotten used to in the gospel circle bringing in more insightful, organic and creative lyrics which are declarative and worshipful at the core.
‘Incredible’ opens up the album with guitars that would take your mind back to punk rock bands such as ‘All American Rejects’ or say the playful and bright ‘Relient K’ but soon it flows into a pattern of songs that would do well for Sunday mornings. It’s upbeat, lively and you would sure move to this one. Up next comes ‘God is Good’. Musically it doesn’t seem to break new grounds but still in its simplicity, Gerald Scott helps us drive in truths about the goodness and strength of God into our hearts. It’s soulful, sweet, the concert-type song you want to raise your hands to.
When ‘Alright’ starts up you might just think someone switched your CD for one of the oldies say Etta James. It’s groovy, really groovy. ‘Higher’ which features Levi Stephens opens up with strings in the like of Indie artist Cheneta Jones’ ‘We Worship You’. Its mellow acoustic feel might land it on your morning playlist. ‘He Rose’ doesn’t do it for me melodically but it’s sure filled with truths of the gospel declared confidently. ‘Bravery’ is just that song we’ve been waiting for. It’s a bold song sure to spur confidence in the listener. The harmonies on this one are really tight, really tight.
Somebody tell me where is the original ‘When I think About Jesus (Remix)’ (which features a rap by Enyaphace) on the album? It’s really a tight tune that leaves me wondering what the original would sound like.
Apart from a bit of monotony in sound, offering of great remixes without serving up the original (yes you can laugh to that last one), I think Gerald Scott and Co’s ‘Incredible’ is a must have for lovers of great gospel music. And yes I see some great songs on here to be sung by church choirs all over the world too. And by the way, we love the album artwork, very different.
