Evangelicals Now
Christian news worldwide
magnifying glass Search archives
home Home check the archives Archives Subscribe Subscriptions Advertising Information & booking of classifieds Adverts Find a local evangelical Church Find a church for the search engines and extremely curious! About us Contact us Site Map
Printable
Version

Momentum

Beating Time

MOMENTUM
TobyMac
Forefront Records
Available from Christian bookshops and online (www.tobymac.com). £14.99

Years ago there was a pioneering Christian rap band called DC Talk. Over the years their sound evolved in a pop-rock direction. For founder member of that band, Toby McKeehan, this album is a return to his rap roots.

Considering the huge popularity of the rap and hip-hop genres, there seem to be relatively few Christians working in these areas. Yet TobyMac seems committed to witnessing in this huge mission field: 'I'm talking God in my hip-hop / If not then my show stops / And everyone around me knows I ain't gonna sell out.'

Effortlessly moving from the spine-jarring noise of the title track, Momentum, to the smooth hip-hop / gospel fusion of J Train (featuring the vocal talents of Kirk Franklin), this is an album that grabs the listener's attention and doesn't let go. The pace slows for the chill-out Do You Know, featuring some of TobyMac's best rhymes. Combined with a chorus stolen from the old Diana Ross hit of the same name, the result is a standout track that will be in your head for days afterward.

Generally, each song conveys a single, simple message. TobyMac covers a wide range of subject areas and as with the best rap, many of these songs are stories (ö la Eminem's Stan). The difference is that on this album, they are stories of God's interactions with people: 'Hey little girl with the pressures of the world on your shoulders / Don't say that it's over / I heard your prayers, just cast your cares / And I'll be there so don't you fear.' Of course, many of the lyrics need to be 'decoded' from the street language they're written in. Rather than obscuring the message though, TobyMac succeeds in communicating meaningfully to his target audience.

There are several superb tracks, a few average cuts and, unfortunately, a little too much 'space-filler' for this reviewer's liking. With a track listing running to 18, perhaps the editor's knife could have been wielded with a little more conviction? The album is superbly produced in other respects though. Turntablists will appreciate the depth of complexity and the number of samples used. Even on the 20th listen, there's still plenty new to hear!

TobyMac competes admirably with his secular peers. If you like the music of Jay-Z, Outkast or Limp Bizkit but can't stand their no-hope values, then this could be for you.

Jon Mason