Attention

iTunes Review

Over the past decade, the Passion Movement has made Christian music stars out of worship leaders like Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman. The latest from its ranks to take the spotlight is singer/songwriter Kristian Stanfill, who makes his album debut with 2009’s Attention. As with earlier Passion-related projects, this song collection frames a resolutely devotional message with a high-relief fusion of arena rock guitars and surging, electronica-tinged rhythms. Tracks like “Kingdom,” “Glowing” and “Alive and Running” are militant calls to faith, riding upon cascades of lead guitar and keyboards. More nuanced are “Wake Up” (featuring a shimmering falsetto vocal turn by Stanfill) and “Faithful” (gliding upon a sleekly danceable groove). As a singer, Stanfill does best with prayerful lyrics like the quietly desperate “I Need You” and the majestic, deeply reverent “You Will Always Be.” Joel Thibodeau deserves special mention for his forceful yet supple drumwork throughout the album. Though it doesn’t break much new ground, Attention succeeds as a Spirit-raising work of modern rock ministry.