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The Good Album

All Star United

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Album Review

The Good Album is another party of Weezer-like proportions, a witty romp through the excesses of teen years and early adulthood. Whether it's the quirky analogy to constantly making mistakes on "Speeding Cars" or the fantasy mementos of "Pretty Famous," Ian Eskelin's on-again, off-again project brings an authentic punk attitude to calls for repentance that would come across as too heavy-handed or preachy in the hands of more serious artists. Sure, there are moments when the band issues its pleas for worship such as "Surface of the Sun" and "This Is the Moment"; however, those attempts are tempered by the majority of the album which plays to a lighter, less melodic side. If nothing else, this album is due "legacy" status for the kitchy anthem "Dude…That's Freaking Awesome!," a comical cautionary tale of the consequences of peer pressure. And really, any song that talks about puking on your shoes more than once deserves some attention. You have to be in the mood for it, and certainly don't expect weighty messages, but enjoying this album is no harder than pondering the meaning of its title. Credit Eskelin for wearing his spirituality not so seriously, and find simple pleasures in these odes to the playful side of the Christian condition.

Customer Reviews

Very Freaken Nice !

I love this album...and who says christians can't say the word freaken without people getting their undies all tied up? Get your mind out of what the world makes of it. Great job ASU ! Don't let others bring you down....you know where your hearts are and more important is Jesus knows. God Bless

Very Good CD, IF you apply your intelligence!

Really, this effort isn't All-Star United's BEST, but it's very good. But, shouldn't customer reviews be for the intent of helping someone decide if they will PERSONALLY like it? It's not a place to whine, moan, or show how spiritually or mentally weak you are! This is why I quit watching American Idol after Mandisa was booted off at 9th in Season 3. The best singer on the show and the American public voted her off at 9th place. Unfortunately, most of the people I've run into that THINK they know music can't carry a tune in a bucket, let alone have any ability to critique music.

First of all, Freakin' is sarcasm. The song IS NOT saying that all those things are "freakin' awesome" in a worldly way. It's a sarcastic way of saying "Dude, get it together...you are letting life slip away." Wow...I don't really understand how anyone could miss that! It's actually my favorite song on the CD. I love it. Imagine, sarcasm and thought provoking lyrics. And a song that tells my teens not to stupidly waste their life, but does it in a fun, thought-provoking way. Apparently too thought-provoking for some listeners who don't have enough sense to interpret. Do you take Scripture out of the Bible and not balance it with the rest of the Word of God? You shouldn't! That's how cults get started. Do you really think, All-Star United, with it's testimony and Ian Eskelin's reknowned faith, that he is CONDONING STUPIDITY with "Dude, that's freakin' awesome"?? Wow. Some folks just can't see the forest for the trees. If you can't interpret lyrics, PLEASE, do not post your reviews as you have no logical right to post a music review, despite your right as an I-Tunes member.

Also, this CD isn't for anyone who doesn't have enough intelligence to determine that FREAKIN' IS NOT A CUSS WORD. Wow, I'm not going to explain why it ISN'T, because FRANKLY, anyone who thinks it is has already turned their brain off anyway.

Now, on to my review:
This CD will be appreciated by previous listeners to All-Star United, who have fallen in love with their infectious, fun, energetic, summer-time sound. It is, however, thought provoking, though maybe not as thought-provoking as earlier CDs by the band. Ian Eskelin loves the Lord, and if you don't balance some of the lyrics with that fact, you end up getting the wrong message, because Ian Eskelin has intelligence that apparently some lack. Instead of spoon-feeding the listener, he actually promotes thought. Unfortunately, those that enjoy being spoon-fed, will be offended by some of the lyrics because they can't think outside of the box that they are living in.

Not every song on this CD would be sung in Church, as they aren't all about "Church" stuff. Some are commentaries on society or on celebrities (any All-Star United fan should have expected that). That being said, if you are a Christian, you should have no problem applying the principles to your life and having a whole lot of fun along the way! These are Christian-oriented commentaries on life and the world as a whole.

In Summary: Not completely a Gospel CD, but thought-provoking, intelligent lyrics, that will cause a Christian to examine themselves, while having a blast listening to some really fun, mostly energetic, and catchy tunes. As to why one might say their earlier CDs are better, my only explanation would be that they are a little more ambiguous on this CD, though I don't believe intentionally, I just think their message is on this CD is more of a person-to-person commentary. Plus, knowing their testimony and their earlier works, I'm really not sure why that is a problem. A little listening to the thought-provoking lyrics will inform you as to whether they are singing about Jesus or someone else, but the bottom line, is these songs are from the Christian World View. If you like fun, energetic, thought-provoking music, grab this CD, whether as a whole, or in chunks. I bought the whole thing, because I appreciate an CD in it's entirety, however, there are two or three tracks that aren't going to hit my player on regular basis, though I'm glad to have them. Several of them do, especially Dude That's Freakin' Awesome, Good Times, Surface of the Sun, Beautiful Way, and Crashing Cars, which I have used as part of my Youth ministry as a springboard to teaching against "hazardous" boy/girl relationships.

Again, great CD, but those who don't apply their intelligence will miss the point on most songs, because Ian Eskelin/All-Star United's goal is to make the listener think, and apparently, some listeners just aren't capable of and/or willing to do that!

Upbeat!

I love upbeat christian music and this is one!! Good variety and not to rocky but nice guitar.

Biography

Formed: 1996 in Nashville, TN

Genre: Christian & Gospel

Years Active: '90s, '00s

Christian rockers All Star United debuted in 1997 with a self-titled LP that was the subject of much acclaim — earning a Grammy nomination as the year's best Rock/Gospel album, it launched four CCM chart-topping hits, including the aptly titled "Smash Hit." The quintet returned two years later with International Anthems...
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