Reviews and Fan Posts
 

Review from Sunday... By David Gaitonde

Archives Dec.  9, 08 - Delving into Redemption and Renewal Dec. 15, 08 - Somewhere South of E Street Dec. 22, 08 - On a Final Note

Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2009 19:22 EST
Sound Discipline 2.0

Since deploying to Afghanistan I've been cut off from the fringe realm of Christian Youth Music and as a result my budding career as a reviewer of this exciting niche is in jeopardy of going the way of carpooling in America.

But last week, thanks to the marvels of the internet and the social networking tool, Facebook, I was able to listen to my favorite youth group band, Top Hat Fish, which hails from the chain-restaurant-growing town of Evans, GA.

This is a new season for the band and they look to follow on the sensation they created during their inaugural year in 2008-2009. I'll call this year's group THF 2.0.

I've listened to a few songs the band recorded during practice and I have to say that I really like the new sound. There's clearly a gelling process that's taking place among band members and the MOM assures me it's not due to any orthotics or other synthetic shoe inserts. This gel is connectivity, baby, and one can sense the rudiments of harmony taking root when THF 2.0 takes the stage.

Blessed with some of the better female voices to hit the Christian Middle School Youth Band scene since 1872 when Gretta Von Goosling first broke onto stage at the Last Presbyterian Church in Lyme, CT, THF boasts the melodious vocal talents of Hannah, Laina, Meschke, and Rachel. It's quite a dynamic group with a frack-a-licious range of octaves.

Backing the vocals and providing a much needed steady driving beat is Logan on drums (Joseph in "Joseph: Pit to the Palace"). Newcomer Grant seems to be as natural on Bass Guitar as peanut butter is on jelly, and this is good news for THF.

Emergent tunesmith Rachel has written one heck of a sweet, righteous, retro-sounding song (Can I Come Along?) that is just a delight to listen to. It's fresh, it's catchy, and it strikingly captures the struggles and doubts of a young Christian trying to forge a personal relationship with Christ.

Kelsey on Keyboards adds depth to the sound with her innate understanding of rhythm and chord, and Shelby is a welcome addition to the always difficult and often under-recognized job of video projection.

Returning maestro and Minister of Music Stevie B (no relationship to the Pizza Chain) continues to keep a low profile while providing structure and guidance to a great group of youth.

All-in-all, THF 2.0 shows great promise and their enthusiasm and energy on stage is contagious. I found myself almost rockin' it out in my room the other night until I realized that we were in strict sound discipline mode. 
 
 

Back to Main Page