Review Detail
The Now and Not Yet - Jeremy Riddle
Varietal Records
WL Quick Tip: Despite the overall superiority of this undeniable worship release, worship leaders will probably only be able to pull a couple of songs into their services of worship "Bless His Name" and "Christ Is Risen" (heard on Song DISCovery 75).The sheer force of Riddle's sometimes guttural sometimes delicate falsetto pulls you in the moment you first hear
The Now and Not Yet. Moments are undeniably Bono-esque (but show me a Christian artist who isn't at least a little bit Bono) and at other times he channels the vocal style of Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody, but the effect with either intonation is the same: emotionally gripping and filled with an infectious devotion to the Father. One of the highlights of the release is that the sounds are completely distinct from what you hear coming out of Nashville. His musicality has closer ties to the Icelandic instrumental group Sigur Ros with building crescendos and atmospheric tones to create an overall ambiance.
As a sophomore release,
The Now and Not Yet builds on the strength of his surprising debut. Of course the reason Riddle has already had such an impact with Christian music listeners is the way his lyrics are crafted with unique poetic twists that are clear symbols of faith but also feel free from the shackles of Christian-ease. Though the major melodic tone is melancholy there is a passionate celebration of redemption, a call for the Church to become the body of Christ, and a joy for the work accomplished on the cross. This is all delivered with a vulnerability, which can be compared to the way Keith Green used to pour out his heart on his CDs. Yes, it's that powerful.
jeremyriddle.net
