Music Review: White Flag by Shaun Groves

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: "What's Wrong with This World." and "Hummingbird"

Cons: None

The Bottom Line:

Great songs by themselves

Even better with the theme

Still hold up today

Surrender to Shaun's Best Release to Date

Shaun Groves is an unfortunately little known Christian music artist. His pop/rock style is fun to listen to and his lyrics are challenging and honest. White Flag, his third CD, is my favorite of his releases so far.

The CD gets off to a rocking start with "What's Wrong with This World." A guitar and drum heavy track, it finally reveals the ultimate person to blame for all the sin in the world – Me. The verses are fun with Shaun trying to think of everyone to blame for the messes in the world before admitting on the chorus that individual sin is ultimately to blame. The melody is catchy, making it a fun sing along song.

The next track is a bit jarring. "Sad Song" is indeed sad, playing almost like a funeral dirge. Invoking images of September 11th specifically and war in general, it paints a moving portrait of the problems sin can cause. It's by far the slowest song on the disc. While it normally would appear later in the disc, it fits thematically here.

Another of my favorites on the disc is "Hummingbird." Another rocker, this song compares our daily lives trying to get ahead to life as a hummingbird with a cry to God to release us from that cage. The song is appropriately frenzied with drums and guitar adding to that feel.

"Only" is a song that has grown on me. A definite pop/rock blend, the song is a prayer of commitment to only follow God no matter what the world throws in the way. It's a bit odd after songs of struggle like "Hummingbird," but it still works for me. After all, having desires in the right place is half the battle. Plus, it's just plain fun to sing.

"Peace Has Broken Out" also took me a little while to appreciate. It feels like a throwback to the 60's both stylistically and lyrically. The song tells the story of how one person not fighting back changes the world. If only it really were that simple. A choir joins him on the chorus giving it a bit of a folk feel, and I can easily picture it being sung with just a guitar around a campfire.

"Narrow" closes out the disc. It's another slow song, this time a ballad that is a prayer to be like the martyrs of old. With a beautiful piano background, it's a haunting final number.

What makes this release even better is the theme. Shaun wrote it after a Bible study he lead on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. The CD features some CD-Rom content that explains not only his thoughts on those Bible verses but how each of these 12 songs fit into the theme.

I have had this CD since it came out and love it just as much as when I got it two years ago. Frankly, I'm surprised I haven't worn White Flag out yet. This is a must for fans of Christian pop or rock.