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Abandon: Control-Expanded Edition

Date: 21 Feb 2012

Abandon: Control-Expanded Edition

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Remixes…I have conflicting feelings about them.  My confusion is why rehash a song that is already great?  It’s often difficult to improve on what is already good, and I don’t want multiple versions of a song I already listen to repeatedly.  I mean, why don’t they ever choose a song that could use a little help?

However, when it comes to bands like Abandon, my theory is obliterated.  There isn’t a song to be found on Control that needs tweaking of any sort.  Then, they don’t ask some random dj with a name I’ve never heard of to add his interpretation.  Oh, no.  They go to musicians like Darren King of Mute Math, David Crowder, Chad Howat of Paper Route, and Solomon “Soul Glow Activatur” Olds of Family Force Five to add their own flavor to the mix.  And so the result is Abandon meets these identifiable styles; not better, per se (because they were already good) but different enough to make me love the songs even more.

David Crowder remixes Abandon’s current single, “Under Fire” while Paper Route’s Chad Howat remixes “New Year’s Day.”  But my favorites were how the distinct rock sound of Mute Math embellished “Live it Out” (already a favorite song anyway for the lyrics “turn our crosses into steeples/lets take them down/and put them on our backs now”) while Solomon pronounced the dance vibe of “Feel it In Your Heart.”  The remixes are never redundant, the additions never annoying, and the original strength of these songs never lost or covered up.  That’s quite an accomplishment.

If you’re already a fan of Abandon, these are welcome additions to your iPod.  If you’re just discovering this band…what are you waiting for?  The expanded editions are available from iTunes and Amazon, and the band is currently on tour with the Newsboys.  Go to www.abandonrock.com for more information.

The Iveys: Days and Nights

Date: 19 Feb 2012

The Iveys:  Days and Nights Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins For some reason, I never reviewed The Iveys’ first album.  I have it, but I never immersed ...

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Lisa Bianco: Momentum

Date: 15 Feb 2012

Lisa Bianco:  Momentum Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins There’s nothing not to love about this seven song EP.  Generally, I prefer a woman’s voice to a man’s, ...

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Hillsong United: Live In Miami

Date: 11 Feb 2012

Hillsong United:  Live In Miami Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins Following their successful album Aftermath from last February and the great reception of “Search My Heart,” their ...

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MK4: Mistakes Were Made

Date: 8 Feb 2012

MK4:  Mistakes Were Made Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins According to their website and facebook, Mistakes were Made was written about the demise of relationships, both romantic ...

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