Album Review: Ashmont Hill – ‘The Maze’
Artist: Ashmont Hill
Album: The Maze
Label: Axiom Records
Release Date: 8/20/13
Genre: Pop/Worship
The record kicks off with the mellow but firm “Love Lifted Me” which comes with a powerful melody that works well as the harmony collides in the refrain. It is almost breathtaking.
Next is “Amazing Grace” which starts off with an opening that would bring your mind to everything we loved of the early music of Nicole C. Mullen.
Gabby’s Song would bring a smile to your face as the sweet voice of little Gabby opens up the song with “when I am crying I know He loves me”.
Honestly “Grace Like a Flood” musically sounds like something off an indie project say the Iceland band called Of Monsters and Men. However it becomes full of instrument towards the end.
The way “Heaven Sounds” begins would make you think bands like Hillsong United and Cold Play ( esp. Viva lavida). It’s a beautiful song nonetheless. It’s got some techno flair too. Also the amazing Micah Stampley appears on the soon-to-be-chosen for local church worship ‘Ruined’.
A big winner for Ashmont Hill’s The Maze is the focus it brings in message and in music. It’s one of those records we like to have, may not listen to every time but do have their seasons when they don’t leave our CD players.
The Maze though more mellow musically when compared to it’s predecessors (‘Your Masterpiece’ and the ‘self titled’ project) comes with an organic feel and a more stripped down musical style. Great pick for lovers of music that is easy to listen, meditate, worship and respond to.
