CD review: Pillar
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Pillar “For the Love of the Game” (Flicker Records)
Tulsa-based Christian rock band Pillar has been getting plenty of attention for its fifth studio album, “For the Love of the Game.” The rousing title track has been used on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” and “College GameDay” and was played during Super Bowl XLII.
Like much of Pillar’s music, the driving anthem works on two levels: as a head-banger sports theme and as an intense I Corinthians 9:24-inspired exhortation to live the Christian life to the fullest.
While “For the Love of the Game” is the album’s highlight, the other nine songs are solid modern rock tracks.
The band - singer Rob Beckley, bassist Kalel, guitarist Noah Henson and drummer Lester Estelle - hones a hard, metal edge on “Throwdown,” “Forever Starts Now” and “The Runaway.” But the group seems equally comfortable creating a high-energy sound reminiscent of ’80s arena rock on “Restless Youth” and “State of Emergency.”
In between, the quartet offers “Smiling Down,” a touching ballad from the point of view of a loved one looking down from heaven.
One of the most interesting tracks is “Turn It Up,” a tribute to Christian musicians ranging from Johnny Cash and Steven Curtis Chapman to TobyMac and Switchfoot.
-BAM
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