Everything is Different - Shane and Shane

Shane and Shane have been around for longer than Casting Crowns. They were impacting Christian music while Chris Tomlin and Matthew West were still developing their own careers. Now as they are releasing their seventh full album “Everything is Different,” it seems they have faded into the background of an even expanding industry. Officially starting in 1999 with a series of independent discs, their distinct acoustic pop sound has bought them a significant fan base, and that is the apparent main target with this CD.

Featuring nice harmonies and a laid back, guitar driven feel, they start the record with the upbeat title track, which should put people in the right mood, as they enter this album for the first time. Following up, “The Lord’s Prayer” is another tight tune, taken right from the Bible and made into a memorable track, that may not break any boundaries, but is a good addition to the collection along the way. One of the best things about the CD is that, though it isn’t anything new, they never wander off course or break down half way. It’s a feet that many major artists can rarely accomplish themselves.

But while there are plenty of positive aspects here, it is a given that are seemingly always downfalls at the same time. People will find the music all too similar sounding, and lyrically about the same. Taking scripture and mixing it with predictable melodies and an independent acoustic pop feel is nice for the first half, but 15 tracks of this in a row starts to get old. And while every song by itself is good, by the end of the full album, listeners will have lost interest, and it will soon be collecting dust although it truly deserves more. And they probably knew this all along. The audience is not going to hang around for soft little ditties when they can get similar, but better ones near by. It’s the cost of not being same old same old, and not nessesarily what has the most money or fame involved. But while that doesn’t seem Shane and Shane’s passion in the long run, this is about as good as they have ever been, and it’s still a pleasing listen overall. ~ Christian Lingner

31/2 of 5 stars