Anthem for the Outcast - Review

 

Last week we saw the release of the debut full length album from a band going by the name The Midnight Wedding. The album is called Anthem of the Outcast and is it an interesting ride.

The Midnight Wedding features two strong but different singers; Brandon is more interested in rock songs and Caitlin is more interesting in Worship song. The fun part is that both of them are willing and able to sing in both styles. This means we see heavier songs like Enforcers, Landslide, Kill Me and What I Preach. Worship songs like Escape, Unbelieve, and Set Me Free. Songs that fall somewhere between the lines with Hates Door and Walk Through Hell. Additionally we see and Acoustic guitar ballad with Right Beside Me and a piano ballad with Stay.

We also see some guests on the album, including Andrew Stanton, Kevin Young, Sawn Michele, Peter Vogelpohl and more. I am not a huge Disciple fan, I just never really got into them, the contrast between Brandon’s voice and Kevin Young’s makes Enforcers really stand out to me.

If we look at the messages to help us think thought the songs we see Unbelief as a cry for hope when all seems lost. Hate’s Door deals with quilt and God’s love from above. Right Beside Me is that reminder that we are never alone. Enforcers is a call to stop thinking God needs you to try to correct every wrong in the world. What I Preach is the counter to that with no matter what side you take on enforcers you always find yourself crossing the line. Kill Me is all about that pain inside it also has the line Nightmare on either side of sleep and I personally really like that.

There is a lot to dive into with this album. It also has some advantages with having such a wide range of styles. One of those for me is that my wife and I are both content with the album as one of us also prefers rock music and the other worship music. There really is something to get excited about on this release.

One of the things that is a little disappointing is the order of the songs on the album. The first half feels Rock heavy and the back end feels worship heavy. This means that when if you like the first three songs you may not like the last three as much. I feel like the verity could be sprinkled in better. After the instrumental intro Calling to the Outcast you do get three very powerful Rock songs with I Swear, Enforcers, and Landslide. You jump to the end and not accounting for Rise of the Outcast you have Set Me Free, Right Beside Me, and Stay. This puts the two ballads at the end after a worship song. I really wish those ballads were split up and I would like to see something heavier at the end and lighter toward the beginning.

Let’s talk about Rise of the Outcast as well. It is more of a spoken word, it lists the following guests Josh Bramlett, Joey West, Josiah Prince, Jared Bayless, Vanessa Bayless, Becca Sugg, Marcus Sugg, Td Benton, and Veronica Benton. When I first listened to it, I really wasn’t sure what was going on. The second time I was able to pick up on that it is at least based on Isaiah 53.

Without being able to really dive into the lyrics this seems to be something special that I do suggest giving it a listen, Just remember to think about the words before you start singing along.