 Skillet's Comatose redefined the way I view Christian music. It is extremely well produced and rocks as hard as any secular rock album I have heard. The songs are well-written and use creative instrumentation that keeps the music interesting after many listens. The lyrics are positive, but keep a heavy edge throughout most of the album.
Comatose, which is co-produced by Brian Howes and John L. Cooper, has some of the best production of any album I have heard. Each song structure is meticulously crafted into a composition that pulls the listener in and remains interesting from start to finish. Many of the songs blend orchestral string melodies with grinding heavy metal. This combination provides unique compositions that incorporate a full range of dynamics and feeling.
Besides its great production, Comatose also has some of the hugest sound I have ever heard on a rock record. The mix makes the bass and guitars sound larger than life, without being heavily over-compressed like so many current rock albums. The strings also stand out, but don't take away from the heaviness of the sound. Instead, they add to it, building up the suspense and driving the melodies of several of the songs.
Some of my favorite songs include "Rebirthing," "The Last Night," and the title track "Comatose." Each of these songs incorporate strings that progress the music and make the songs highly dynamic. Other great songs include "Whispers in the Dark," "Falling Into Black," and "Better than Drugs." These songs don't include string sections, but they each have memorable, heavy melodies that can be listened to several times without getting old.
My only complaint with Comatose is that a few songs are a bit too light. While this adds to the overall dynamics of the album, I feel Skillet shines with heavier music and the lighter songs don't showcase their talent as well. I also wish some of the songs were longer, since the melodies are so catchy. But I suppose three and a half to four minutes is standard for radio play these days, so the producers probably had to work within those limitations. I just think Skillet could pull off some great rock symphonies that are closer to ten minutes in length.
To summarize, Skillet's Comatose is an amazing album. The vocals, guitars, strings, and drums are not especially amazing by themselves, but they all come together in a way that is nothing short of incredible. If you have not yet heard any songs from Comatose, I highly recommend you give the CD a listen. It just might change the way you think about Christian music. |
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