This is the debut release by the Skyline Boys on Crossroads Music. Personnel are Jodi Hosterman – Tenor, Rob Nykamp – Lead, Bobby Nitz – Baritone, and Dennis Powers – Bass.
Tracks
- Movin’ Out Of Here – Penned by Crossroads exec Chris White, this song, which was previously recorded by the Anchormen, gets the album off to a very strong start. Great uptempo cut and nice vocals highlight this song. Great way to open the disc, and this is definitely a barn burner. 9/10
- Heaven Is Real – Smooth midtempo number that is very reminiscent of the old Kingsmen tune “Come To The Water” from You’re Not Alone. There is some nice descending harmony from the verses into the chorus. This song allows the group to show off their blending ability. Solid song. 7/10
- Oh What A Change – Upbeat song that utilizes a bit of a soul feel. A nice use of block harmonies echoing from Rob Nykamp’s lead punctuates the chorus. This is a really good song, and they do this style very well. Nykamp really sells the song. 8/10
- Look For Me – Rusty Goodman’s classic gets a nice treatment by the group here. I’m not a big fan of steel guitar, so I’d have left it off the track, but that’s just a minor sticking point for me. A very smooth vocal by Bobby Nitz on the verses leads to some really nice harmonies from the group on the chorus. It’s a fairly straightforward rendition, though there are some nice chord changes in the chorus both musically and vocally. Another song that showcases the ability of the group to blend. I really like the harmony inversion on the tag. Very nice. 8.5/10
- I Can’t Wait For Heaven – This song was done by Signature Sound on their debut CD Stand By Me. The Skyline Boys version is very similar, and done just as well. Nice brass driven uptempo tune. Very solid. I like the round-like section on the tag. 7.5/10
- Mercy River – Inspirational ballad that has some of the best harmony on the disc. Bobby Nitz provides a smooth vocal on the first verse. I love the arrangement with all the moving parts in the chorus. The song really takes off when the key changes and Jodi Hosterman takes the lead. Hosterman does a great job on this type of smooth ballad. The background harmonies on his verse are very nice, and the inversion on the chorus due to the key change really brings out the harmonies. The tag is very pretty. This is one of my picks of the CD. 9.5/10
- Glory To God In The Highest – This is pretty much note for note the same arrangement as Signature Sound. It’s a solid version, but I think Ernie and the guys do it better. 5/10
- Don’t Drink The Water – This is a neat song. It’s a midtempo, driving country sound. The song is based lyrically on a “reverse psychology” take on the cliche “Don’t Drink The Water”. It’s a unique take on Jesus being the living water. This song is really enjoyable. The tag features some really high notes from Hosterman, as it’s in unison, but Hosterman is up an octave. 8/10
- Joy For The Journey – Another mid to up tempo tune that makes some nice use of brass instruments in the track. Another solid song here, nothing flashy, but very solid. 7/10
- The Blood On My Hands – Another really nice ballad that allows Hosterman to show off his lower range on the first verse. These are some really nice lyrics, and a nice performance from Hosterman and the rest of the group really accentuate the strength of these lyrics. It has a fairly progressive feel, and some really nice tight harmony. The second verse is performed as a duet between Nitz and Hosterman that is a nice break, with the full quartet coming back in on the last phrase of the verse leading into the chorus. Another pick of the project. A nice bridge with “Nothing But The Blood” leading to a key change takes us into the last chorus. This is my favorite song on the disc. 10/10
- Oh What A Change (Reprise) – The second verse and following is reprised here to close out the disc. A nice close to the disc. Not really going to rate this, as it gets the same as above.
Overall: 8/10 This is a very solid CD for the Skyline Boys. Jeff Collins produced the album and continues his typical great job. The arrangements are solid throughout, though I wish “Glory To God” had been just a little different from the EHSS version, and are exceptional in several places. These guys are “running with the big dogs now” since signing with Crossroads, and this CD shows that they are up to the challenge. They’ve built their sound around Hosterman’s tenor vocals, and I find it to be a wise choice, as he anchors their sound very well. There’s a lot of good stuff here to build on, and I’m looking forward to seeing these guys take off.
[...] HERE to read the full review at Burke’s [...]
Are you seeing the artwork?
All I’m seeing where the album cover should be is a blue box with red code.
David, strange…at work I see the artwork. At home I am seeing the same blue box. Will update the post and fix it.
Thanks for the kind words about The Blood on My Hands! I’m really glad you like it. I co-wrote it a while back and I’m glad to see this song has found a home.
Ben