Description
The self-titled and sophomore album by the American rock band Third Day was released on Reunion Records in June 1996. Also manufactured and distributed by Arista Records. (The band release a self-titled album in 1995 through the independent label, Gray Dot Records. It was an early version of this album that sold 20,000 copies.) The album was recorded by David Mardis, Ed Burdell, and Matt Still at Furies Studio in Marietta and Bosstown Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia; with Mardis producing. All songs written by vocalist Mac Powell except “Holy Spirit” co-written with Mark Lee. As of 2000, it has been certified gold.
The recent resurgence of Southern rock in the mainstream music scene has spilled over into the Christian market with Third Day’s self-titled album, a semi-confusing story of the band’s 1995 gray dot indie project being picked up by Christian label stalwarts Reunion Records. Enhanced in production and repackaged, ‘Third Day’ may be one of the hottest debuts of this year (uh, or was that last year?).
Third Day sounds alternately like the Dave Matthews Band and Hootie and the Blowfish. Vocalist Mac Powell leads Third Day through the album’s 12 tracks with a voice at times too reminiscent of Hootie’s Darius Rucker. The album kicks off with an earful of distortion from «Nothing at All», a driving rocker that takes a good hard look at the problem of controlling the tongue. Powell recites the song’s inspiration, James 3: 5-10, in the middle of the track. It’s a powerful message set to powerful music, exemplary of the rest of the album’s songs that are lyrically direct.
Enthusiastic guitars and gospel-tinged backing enliven «Forever». «Blackbird» is an almost bluesy number that could have benefited from a more prominent lead guitar (either some blues or slide paying sure would tweak the piece nicely), while «Consuming Fire» features grinding, soaring guitars and another passionate vocal from Powell.
«Thief» slows things down a bit with a powerful ballad portraying the crucifixion from the viewpoint of the thief who was saved. «Did You Mean It», another fun song and potential hit, features an Edge-inspired jangly guitar performance.
This project is abundantly full of songs that make it a great summer road trip, top-down album. One complaint – sonic diversity. As the album progresses, several songs begin to run together in the listener’s mind.
Nevertheless, this album’s a sure hit in the Christian marketplace. [Beau Black, CCM, June 1996]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/third-day/269440733)
CD tracklist:
01. Nothing At All – 5:13
02. Forever – 3:48
03. Mama – 3:52
04. Love Song – 3:53
05. Blackbird – 4:03
06. Thief – 4:24
07. Consuming Fire – 4:09
08. Did You Mean It – 4:11
09. Holy Spirit – 2:22
10. Livin’ for Jesus – 2:18
11. Take My Life – 2:16
12. Praise Song – 3:02
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Reunion Records. Gray Dot Records tracklist: 01. Consuming Fire – 4:10 / 02. Forever – 3:45 / 03. Holy Spirit – 2:24 / 04. Take My Life – 2:16 / 05. Did You Mean It – 4:11 / 06. Mama – 3:50 / 07. Thief – 4:24 / 08. Blackbird – 4:03 / 09. Livin’ for Jesus – 2:15 / 10. Love Song – 3:50.
A full-page advertisement for Third Day’s self-titled album was featured in the July 1996 issue of CCM Magazine.
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