Tag: Bo Rinehart

Needtobreathe – ‘Insiders LP, Vol 2’ – Album Review

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As you know if you visit my site, one of my favorite bands is Needtobreathe.  I have everything they have put out on vinyl and now I am going after everything they have released on CD (that they don’t have on vinyl).  And the CDs I want the most are the exclusive fan club CDs they release each year.

If you join the Needtobreathe Insiders fan club (for $60 a year), you get a Live CD of tracks collected from the band’s live performances. (among other things such as a T-shirt and a free live track download ever month – that is 12 more songs).  Needtobreathe actually records every show they put on so they have a ton of tunes to choose from.  They have released 5 volumes and number 6 will be coming in December.  I have never joined so getting my hands on these has not been easy as it is not cheap. I am looking for the right price and most of the time it is too high.   I finally grabbed my first one at a price less than the membership fee.

Who is the band and the musicians on this album?  Easy enough, they tell you that…

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The first one I got a hold of is ‘Insiders LP, Vol 2’.  It is a collection of 14 live tracks from around world and let me tell you it is fantastic.  The band has spent some time with these and the production quality is amazing.  They put as much time in to them as they would a normal studio album or live album release to the general public.  The mix is done so the songs blend in with each other perfectly and it feels like a complete show.

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My Sunday Song – “Don’t Bring That Trouble” by Needtobreathe

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For My Sunday Song #167, we are playing “Don’t Bring That Trouble” by the band Needtobreathe.  The song is off their 2016 album ‘Hard Love’ which saw the band’s sound change a little adding a little more dance/pop elements without losing that signature Needtobreathe feel.

“Don’t Bring That Trouble” is the most rocking track on the record.  It has a great guitar riff opening and sound. The drum beats come banging in and though not real drums, the electronic beats pick up the pace of the song and drive in to a more rocking track than the rest of the album.  There is even a southern rock/country vibe thrown in with it as well.  Overall, it is pure fun and enjoyment and sometimes you need to let loose and let it fly and this does that.

Lyrically, there is not much substance like a lot of their songs I have featured.  The song is basically talking about how he is broken and he is trying to fix his life and problems and if you are coming along for the ride, don’t bring any trouble as he doesn’t want to deal with that anymore.  For me, it doesn’t matter as I want to crank it up and dance a little.  Sometimes, lack of substance is fine with me!!!

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My Sunday Song – “Stones Under Rushing Water” by Needtobreathe

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For My Sunday Song #166, we are discussing “Stones Under Rushing Water” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their 2009 album “The Outsiders” and it shows the softer side of the band. The album was really the bands big break and ended up getting them noticed by Taylor Swift and the band opened for her on tour for a large number of shows.  I had found the band from the beginning so there growing success was no surprise to me.

The song is a really simple song lyrically.  It talks about how fast life passes us by and it will be gone before you know it.  He is telling you to slow things down, take it all in and cherish every moment.  It also seems to be about a relationship that has drifted apart and the spark has left them.  They need to stop long enough to remember what they had and find that spark again.  Either interpretation is right as you can make up your own mind on what it means to you.

Musically, the song is an acoustic track and one of the first duets the band has done.  Sara Watkins from the band Nickel Creek accompanies Bear Rinehart on vocals.  Her voice is so delicate and beautiful and compliments his vocals quite nicely.  She brings that extra layer of sadness and heartbreak to the song.  There is no guitar solo, but Bear does a harmonica solo that adds a whole new layer of melancholy to the song.  All in all, it is quite a beautifully sad song.

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My Sunday Song – “Maybe They’re on to Us” by Needtobreathe

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For My Sunday Song #165, we are talking about the song “Maybe They’re On To Us” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their wildly successful album “The Reckoning” which came out in 2011.  The song was not a single, but still a favorite of mine.  The album did really well and went to #6 on the Billboard charts thanks in part to this song and all the great songs on this album.

The song is about paranoia.  For the band, that paranoia is a wondering if the fans know too much about the them and will figure out who they really are and not like them.  Maybe the will stop listening and it will all just go away.  They were starting to get successful and they had a fear of it disappearing in a flash.  That is an honest fear.

I think people feel that way in everyday life as well.  You walk around in life wondering if people will realize you are just faking it trying to get by day-to-day.  Maybe they will discover you really don’t have your stuff together after-all…but honestly who really does?  I don’t think anyone.  We are all faking it a little each and every day.

Musically, I really love Bear’s vocals.  His delivery of the lyrics, his pacing and everything he sings is so purposely and perfectly placed.  There is a smooth, driving groove that takes you through the song.  Then throw in the backing vocals on the bridge/chorus that help give it that church-like/choir feel.

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My Sunday Song – “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe

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For My Sunday Song # 164, we are talking about “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe.  The song was the debut single off their album ‘Rivers in the Wasteland’ from 2014.  The song reached #16 on the Christian charts and might be one of the most powerful song they have ever written lyrically.

The song is best described by Bear Rinehart himself.  I found this on the Newreleasetoday.com website. It is an article written by Kevin Davis when he interviewed Bear about the song.  Bear states the following…

This song is my story of trying to understand my role in God’s plan. We were on tour with a secular artist, Taylor Swift, playing to 20,000 and even 50,000 people per night. We felt like we were doing what we were supposed to be doing. Despite our efforts, I didn’t feel like we were having the impact we are called to have.

I think God was asking us at this time, “What are you doing this for? Are you doing it for Me?” And, I think that’s where this song was birthed. That confusion is almost a good thing. The bridge says “I am on the fence about nearly everything I’ve seen.” I meant that in how the whole band was going through a “we surrender to God” kind of way.

We don’t need to be concerned about what happens after we’ve given up this gift we have to God. That was really powerful for us. We had ambition and let that take too much of a priority in things that led us down a road that wasn’t good. I think that in trying to re-prioritize, God wants us to sacrifice those things, those idols in our lives. Some idols for us were wondering what the outcome was going to be, that we had the upper hand or maybe we were the best band out there, or we thought we were the most clever at it.

I feel like the beginning of the song is us asking ourselves are we really difference makers. How valuable are we, really? Towards the end of the song it comes around that God makes us a part of what He does, which is so crazy. It starts with us realizing that we don’t get to make the rules. We don’t control it, and we don’t get to say what the timing is. It’s not because of our talents. He doesn’t need that. He needs our willing hearts.

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My Sunday Song – “The Outsiders” by Needtobreathe

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For My Sunday Song #163, we are going to dive in to the title track from their 2009 album, ‘The Outsiders’.  The opening track to an album that went on to win a Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year.  At this point in their career, this was the best effort.

The song is about how the band feels with their place in the music industry.  Being from a small town in South Carolina with a very small music scene, the band never quite felt like they were fully accepted in to the music industry.  They feel like they are outsiders in a business they have been in for about 10 years at this point.  With that feeling of being an outsider also allows for a freedom.  A freedom to do whatever they want creatively and musically.  That freedom has led to some amazing songs (this one included).

The song opens with Bo picking on a banjo, then Bear comes in singing then some hand clapping and some good foot stomping beats.  The country style opening lends its way to a rock song with some southern flair which is something they do best.  They keep that Americana, folk feel in their sound and turn the song into an anthem for a whole generation of people that feel they are outsiders in whatever group they are in.  It is a rally to embrace it and accept it and take advantage of it at the same time.  Ironically, their fan club is actually called “The Insiders”.

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Needtobreathe – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

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Back in 2006, my brother told me I had to listen to this album called ‘Daylights’ by the band Needtobreathe. I had never heard of them and I trust my brothers opinion since he did bring me in to the Kiss world when I was like 6.  He said they were a Christian Rock band and they were amazing.  Well, he was sort of right.  They were awesome, but they aren’t just a Christian rock band.  They are a rock band who happens to be Christian and a lot of their views are in their music, but they aren’t bible thumping.  They are telling honest stories that will hopefully impact you in some way.

And impact me they have.  Their music is what I go to when I need inspiration, I need to feel better or I just need some good roots rock music sometimes with a Southern Rock flair.  For me, it is all good and there is no “Worst Album”.  After 6 studio albums, 2 live albums and numerous E.P.’s, they are still one of my all-time favorite bands out there and I hope they continue for years to come.   The band is as follows:

  • Bear Rinehart
  • Bo Rinehart
  • Seth Bolt
  • Josh Lovelace

I am keeping this list to just the 6 studio albums and let this be your gateway in to the band.  Remember, these are in order of my least favorite to my very favorite and that might not be your order, but that is fine.  It is only my opinion.  So be kind. And here we go…Needtobreathe!!

WORST – THE HEAT (2007):

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My Sunday Song – “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe

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For My Sunday Song #162, we are going to discuss “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their 2007 album ‘The Heat’ and in 2009 it won the GMA Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.

The story of the song is about an incident that happened to their dad at their church.  Their father was the preacher and apparently some gossip went around and things were said about him and his wife that in the end turned out to all be false. Their father held his ground and kept his integrity in tack during the whole process.  Bear and Bo were so impressed by their dad that it inspired this song.  It goes to show you that your kids are always watching you and they see how you act and that can be really impactful.

The song has this whole church, gospel vibe to it with the organ and keyboards.  At the same time, there is southern rock feel to the song.  I love that church vibe as it really emphasizes the story.  And let’s talk about the lyrics.  There aren’t a lot, but what is there is powerful.  The title alone of “Washed by the Water” is fantastic, but it is the following lines are the most impactful to me…

Even when Earth crumbles under my feet
Even when ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall
I won’t fall
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me

Their dad showed them the importance of faith and standing up for what you believe no matter what the devil throws at you and it sounds like he threw a lot at them.  We are defined by our choices and our actions, pretty impressive in my book.

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My Sunday Song – “Cops” by Needtobreathe

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For My Sunday Song #161, we are now taking over with the next 10 songs coming from one of my favorite bands Needtobreathe. A rock band with a Southern Rock sound, folk, Americana, gospel all with a Christian background and some of the best songs I have ever heard.  I usually try to stick with the non-singles, but as I want more people to know this band, I won’t always stick with that philosophy…although this song is just that.  The song this week is called “Cops” and it is a B-Side for the song “Keep Your Eyes Open”. The song is also a bonus track on the LP version of the album ‘The Reckoning’ from 2011.  Yes, the LP has the bonus tracks!!

The song is one of the bands heaviest songs and completely rocks out.  The reason for that is the subject matter of the song. Needtobreathe has always been labeled a Christian band, but they are not.  They are a rock band that has a Christian upbringing and that subject matter bleeds in to the music from time to time.  But that is not their focus.  They don’t deny they are Christians, they just want to play music and have a good time…nothing wrong with that.

The song is about the Christian people that are trying to tie the band down as a Christian band.  The constant opinions about how they are disappointing God when they don’t sing about him and they should be out there spreading the word.  Sorry, they are a Rock band first and they are not apologizing for that.  The band likens this pressure to being chased by “Cops”…so there you have it.  I find it funny how Christians are supposed to be holier than thou, but yet they are the first to cast the stone and point the finger when they should be looking in to that mirror themselves.  Another problem I have with religion although I am a Christian, their hypocrisy is sickening at times.  Soapbox, getting down now.

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Needtobreathe – Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions) E.P. – Album Review

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Needtobreathe released their new E.P. titles ‘Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions)’ which is a longer name than the album as the album is merely an E.P. featuring only 4 tracks.  The Niles City Sound Sessions is actually a place in Fort Worth, Texas with a trio of producers that call themselves Niles City Sound.  Needtobreathe sat with them for a time and these four songs came from that session.

I have ordered this on a beautiful 10″ Pink Vinyl, but it won’t actually come until September which is a long way from now.  I will have been to the concert supporting this release before I actually have the physical product.  The concert is August 21st out in the blistering heat at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre.  Nothing like a concert, outside in the middle of Summer!!!

The band consists of the following members…

  • Bear Rinehart – vocals
  • Bo Rinehart – guitar, banjo, mandolin
  • Seth Bolt – bass, percussion
  • Josh Lovelace – piano, organ

Since it is only 4 tracks, let us get right to it…

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“Bridges Burn” was is the first track and it opened up with some weird “da-doo, da-doo, doo, doo, doo, doo nonsense (it isn’t that bad once you hear the rest of the song).  I became skeptical real quick. Thankfully that was extremely short-lived. The song then turns into a classic Needtobreathe.  The slow groove along with the piano accompaniment and Bear Rinehart’s vocals pouring out the emotion and allows you to feel everything he is releasing into the song.  They are still incorporating some electronic elements, but not enough to distract.

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