The Reckoningby NEEDTOBREATHE

Reckoning may be Needtobreathe's best album. Virtually every song on the album is worth hearing over and over. Oohs and Ahhs and Drive All Night are rock anthems to their legions of fans. Needtobreathe is seen by some, not the band themselves, as Christian rockers. But interestingly their music has also gained many fans outside that genre. Lead vocal Bear Rinehart has one of the most distinct voices in pop and rock. See if that voice doesn't grab you instantly in Devil's. Been Talkin'.
Great band, great album. I've been playing it regularly for over 2 years.

Here are some highlights of the tracks: 1. Oohs and Ahhs – This song has a unique song with a southern twang and a little darker sound. The main chorus goes, “We got oohs, we got ahhs, We got everything a man could need, We got oohs, we got ahhs, Still got a mountain full of mouths to feed.” I believe they’re talking about that there’s more in life that will truly satisfy us. 2. White Fences –It’s deep but simple and definitely has a beat that you can tap your feet to. 3. Drive All Night – This song is the most packed and is my favorite out of the first three tracks and maybe out of the whole album. NEEDTOBREATHE rocks his album; melodically and lyrically. The chorus is “I need somewhere I can drive all night, Out into the darkness, Follow the headlights down, I gotta know if they can take me, I gotta know if they can save me.” This song is telling me to find the light and don’t get caught up what’s in this world. 4. NEEDTOBREATHE slows it down with “A Place Only You Can Go”. The song is harmonica driven and is one of the most somber tracks on the album. It talks about pains and our pasts that we regret. I love the line, “We were born to love, And we're born to pay, The price for our mistakes.” I believe what the band is saying is that the only place you can go is to God, even with all of your life’s baggage. 5. Slumber- Is the most popular song on the album. This song is about hope and is upbeat. The band gives a few examples of not being motivated and hurt, but “open up your eyes” and see the gift of life that has been presented to us. 6. The Reckoning – It’s a song of standing firm in your belief during your “reckoning time” when everyone is watching you. It’s a song about being you and being proud of what you stand for. 7. Able: The band slows down the beat again with this song about realizing that we can’t do it by ourselves. It’s a song of repetition but don’t miss the important life lessons in each verse. 8. “Maybe They’re On to Us” has the most interesting beat on the album. It’s rock with a mysterious sound. It takes a couple listens to get used to. It could be that they’re looking for a leader or something to believe in. It’s an ok track, not my favorite. 9. Wanted Man has an appealing sound. It’s similar to the previous track “Maybe They’re on to Us”, in a sense that the meaning can be the listener’s interpretation. It’s a top-5 song for on the album, just not really sure the meaning behind the lyrics. 10. “Keep Your Eyes Open” – The lyrics remind me a lot of the words in “Slumber.” Very similar parallels with “Wake up from you slumber” in Slumber. 11. “Tyrant Kings” is about being like a “vagrant” in life and “running to you.” My interpretation is that humans aren’t “home” until they die and go to Heaven to be with God. “You” means God. 12. Devil’s been Talkin’ – They sing about how the Devil can put thoughts in your head to make you feel ashamed. However, “life hasn’t left me yet”, showing that there’s still hope. 13. Angel at My Door –It shows the beauty of brokenness. 14. Learn to Love – The final track ends in a mellow beat. It’s one final message of hope. “Till we know the broken heart, We can’t walk through fires we didn’t start, So, just hold on to the way it is tonight, And learn to love through the darkness and the light.” Overall, this album is a must have for any kind of music lover. Every song is packed of well-thought out lyrics with several layers to them and most importantly the underlying message is hope.

I really like this album, especially the songs "The Rekoning" and "Keep Your Eyes Open." The have a distinct sound that some like and some do not. So I'd definitely recommend listening before buying.