Group 1 Crew, "Ordinary Dreamers" Review

Group 1 Crew, a Christian rap/R&B band from Orlando, Florida, after releasing their debut album last year, has excelled quickly in the Christian music scene. The threesome went out on tour, and starting to write their next album. Now, a year and a half later, the Group releases their sophomore recording, Ordinary Dreamers.

Opening up with a beat-driven “Movin’, the melody will really make you want to move. The song gives you a fresh feeling with some effects. Highlights including “Gimme That Funk,” the powerful and lyrically-driven “Keys to the Kingdom,” “iContact,” and the party feeling “Critical Emergency.”

Comparing to their debut album, Group 1 Crew has innovated their sound and putting more instruments and sound effects in it. The music brings you happiness and makes you relax. Still, the Crew keeps the lyrics clean and Christ-centered, while making the songs have fun and dancing. Both of the CDs are great, it’s hard to say which is better. They won’t let you down.

Overall, Group 1 Crew is still doing well so far. They have incorporated many different sounds and without forsaking the Christian message. If you’re looking for new rap/R&B to listen to, look no further than the sounds of Group 1 Crew. Ordinary Dreamers showcases Group 1 Crew doing what they do best: having fun and praising God at the same time.

Kutless

Kutless is one of my favorite bands. Formed in Portland, Oregon as a worship band name Call Box in 2000. Then in 2002, they changed their name to “Kutless” before releasing their first full-length album on BEC Recordings. Kutless chose their name because of a specific Bible verse. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NRSV). Because of this, the band says, "He took our cuts for us... leaving us 'Kutless'." The band plays Christian rock, alternative rock, with inspiring and heart-touching lyrics. They are famous in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) world.

The band started in church, and then became a professional Christian band. They released their first album self-titled, featuring 2 hit singles, “Your Touch” and “Run”. “Run” is one of the most played songs on ChristianRock.net. In 2004, the band released their sophomore, Sea of Faces. This album has given them a huge success and expended their fan base many times over. There are plenty of hit songs on this record, such as “All Alone”, “Sea of Faces”, “Perspective”, and “Troubled Heart”. “Sea of Faces” is a touching song, which gives a message of the loving care of God. “Troubled Heart” is saying that in the midst of your tragedy, God’s eyes are starring down, and He feels your troubled heart.

Strong Tower, released in 2005, is the band’s third album. This album is a collection of thirteen rock-oriented worship songs. Although there are only 2 songs written by the band, they made the album nearly a perfect one. This is the album that introduced me Kutless. The hit song, Strong Tower, which is the title track, was made into a music video (go search YouTube, type “kutless strong tower”).

After Strong Tower, they released Heart of the Innocent and To Know That You’re Alive. Kutless has always been a great band to me. I have all of their albums, and it’s really great to know such an awesome band…(unfinished)