Every once in a while a band comes along that brings me great excitement, sometimes it’s their musical creativity, ability, or arrangements, while other times it’s their lyrical content. When I first heard “Love is Here” by Tenth Avenue North on the radio, I knew this was a band that had a message not only for the church, but non-Believers alike.
The band’s debut, Over and Underneath, shines light on topics hard to explain. Theologically rich content, written to encourage, build, and bless the Body of Christ. From the start to finish this is an album with limited weak spots, strong messages, and the power to bring you into a place where you can sense the presence of God.
The album starts off with their first radio hit “Love is Here.” The song is a response to a statement lead vocalist Matt Donehey was told, “I would know God loved me if…” Next comes “Lift Us Up to Fall” a track that takes a little bit of thinking through to understand the reality it shares. “By Your Side” follows and is one of the strongest songs on the record. Donehey sings, “Why are you looking for love, why are you still searching as if I'm not enough, to where will you go child, tell me where will you run.” This song speaks such simple truth, but is profound partially due to the fact that it’s proclaiming the Gospel in a way that is relatable to everyone. “Let It Go” and “Break Me Down” are both great tracks, they are at times a little weak, but maintain enough strength to launch us into another set of great songs.
“Hold My Heart” is a very emotional song, asking God “how long.” In the chorus Donehey cries, “One tear in the dropping rain, one voice in a sea of pain, could the Maker of the stars, hear the sound of my breaking heart, one life is all I am, right now, I can barely stand, if You're everything You say You are, would You come close and hold my heart.”
Next is another very lyrically strong song titled, “Times.” This is my favorite track, probably because it reminds us that no matter where we’re at, no matter what we’ve done, God forgives, and not only forgives, but loves us uncontrollably. Donehey sings in the second verse, “Now You pull me near You, when we're close, I fear You, still I'm afraid to tell You, all that I've done.” I find the part “when we’re close I fear You” so exhaustingly true. In response, the bridge tells, “My love I will keep you, by My power alone. I don't care where you fall, where you have been. I'll never forsake you, My love never ends. It never ends.”
“Beloved” is a beautiful masterpiece describing in detail how the Body of Christ is Jesus’ bride. It gave me a new perspective on what exactly that looks like, and is one of the bigger strengths Tenth Ave. offers. “You Are,” “Satisfy,” and “Hallelujah” finish off the album.
It’s hard reviewing a record of such spiritual magnitude. On one side, I need to be critical, on the other side, I need to be careful to not critique something God has obviously been apart of. If I was rating this record on solely it’s lyrical/spiritual content, it would receive a near perfect score. However, I’m reviewing the whole record. Don’t get me wrong the music is good, but it’s just above par. What the album lacks musically is made up for by the strong vocals and lyrics of Mike Donehey. I’m excited to see where Tenth Avenue North goes, and how people respond to their ministry.
Article by Jeremy Koering
