Search - Violet Burning :: Faith & Devo of a Satellite Hrt

The VB--still Christian music's undiscovered best

Craig Payne | Ottumwa, Iowa United States | 04/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let's say, if you are reading this review, you are one of three types of people: (1) not Christian, but interested in music and heard rumors about the Violet Burning; (2) Christian, interested in worship and living for God, but turned off by the plethora of pop worship CDs springing up everywhere; (3) somewhere in between, looking for something better than you currently have. Well, friends, you've hit the right group. No one (in any of the above categories) to whom I've lent any of my VB CDs has not liked them intensely. "Faith and Devotions" is probably VB's most overtly "worshipful" recording since "Strength" (their best recording, in my opinion). "Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic," "I Am a Stranger in this Place," and their self-titled release, all have a somewhat darker, more brooding sound (hence the frequent comparisons to The Cure and similar groups). This CD, on the other hand, just pours out the heart, whether it's broken, angry, or full of joy, and lifts the listener to God. Here's a listening tip: Don't listen just to the opening of the songs to see whether or not they sound catchy. In Mike Pritzl's style of songwriting, very often the real heart of the song, the hook that catches your spiritual core, comes somewhere around the middle to the end. Then you find yourself singing along, over and over ("Lord, my cup is empty--won't You come now and fill me up?" is a case in point). In case you haven't figured it out yet--I highly recommend this CD, as well as the others mentioned. (For "Strength," try E-Bay.)"