Hawk Nelson Is My Friend (Bonus Video Version)

iTunes Review

Never mind the album’s vaguely sarcastic title and kitschy cover art, for all their hyperactive punk tendencies this Canadian Christian group matches its brashness with heart-baring sincerity. Much of Hawk Nelson Is My Friend (2008) is a kamikaze-like assault upon the smugness and cynicism of the world, hammered home by blazing guitars and relentless drums. “Friend Like That,” “Words We Speak,” and especially “You Have What I Need” are spiritually invigorating, surging and thrashing their way towards rough-hewn grandeur. Singer Jason Dunn excels at such shout-along anthems, but is also capable of muting his cheeky side when delivering midtempo numbers like “Not the Same” and “One Little Miracle” (the latter an emotive power ballad co-written by Richard Marx). Whatever distance the album maintains is stripped away on “I Still Miss You,” a yearning painful farewell to a grandparent. Hawk Nelson connects with even jaded listeners thanks to its kinetic passion and rock-ribbed faith. That’s what friends are for.