Words: Egypt Ali
Spoken’s newest release entitled IX dropped September 8, 2017 to high anticipation and expectations. As a staple in the Christian rock industry, Matt Baird’s newest musical venture would be held to high standards to both new fans and to old ones. If I am being honest, I have always looked to Spoken to provide the new precedent of quality in their lyrics and their presentation for the rest of the music industry. It is for this reason that I found myself anxiously anticipating the midnight release of IX.
This is a dangerous spot for an album to be in. This situation provides an excellent opportunity for a release to fall short of high demands, and only limited room for the listener’s view of success. It is a situation that I am almost sure that only Spoken could deliver on and deliver they did.
The first track, “This is Not the End,” sets a trend of the edgy lyrics and guitar riffs that follows the entire album. Old Spoken fans were immediately satisfied by the grit of Scoop Roberts’ current arsenal of riffs. They also would soon come to enjoy the complexity of the band’s maturing through their lyrics.
My favorite track on the project on “Silence.” Its tone brings back memories of Spoken’s earlier releases, and blends them seamlessly with the new degree of variation that time brings. However, what caught me off guard the most was the breakdown that comes at the end of the song. As innocently as it begins, it ends with a head banging outro that even fans of heavier artists such as Beartooth or Fit For a King would have to respect.
In most cases, this is the point in an album review where I would go through the weaker elements of the record. I would come up with constructive criticism because, well, this is a music critique. To do that for this record would require such a degree of nitpicking that it would be considered boarder line OCD. The grittiness was perfect, and while I could have done with possibly one more slower track to give my eardrums a break, the constant bombardment was a welcome challenge for my senses.
The record was raw, it was real, and it was honest. All traits that have become jaded within the rock industry as a whole, but certainly within the Christian genre. Spoken not only delivered to the hype but they set the bar high enough for other bands to have some serious work cut out for them.
It is for this reason that I give Spoken a 4.3/5 scored review. Take my word for it, you need this album. It is hopefully the first of many more.
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