A Best Live Show Nominee in the 2008-2009 Awards

(Photo Credits: Ember)

Live Show Rating: 5 & 1/4 Stars.

BEST FIRST RELEASE 2008 Award Winner!

Runners-Up: Thieves And Liars (When Dreams Become Reality),
Above The Golden State (Above The Golden State), One Minute Halo (Against The Grain),
Chris Taylor (Take Me Anywhere).
Honorable Mention: After Edmund (Hello).

Though consisting of only three members (who are all siblings, by the way), Children 18:3 put out an amazing, full sound— driving, rocking, and excellent— with appealing vocals that are perfectly matched. Their music just pulls you in.

Children 18:3 kick off their self-titled first release with “All My Balloons”, a great Punk Rock/Rock opener that features metaphorical lyrics and an addicting chorus and bridge. There is almost no pause between this track and the next.

“LCM” is an excellent track with an intriguing lyrical storyline; rocking, fast-driving music; and perfect, emphasized, trade-off vocals. Again, there is almost no pause afterward.

“You Know We’re All So Fond Of Dying” is a rockingly catchy, pointed commentary on the state of modern culture, and a cry out to change it for the better.

“Search Warrant” features band bassist and co-singer LeeMarie on lead vocals (as opposed to the backup, trade-off, or emphasis she does on the other tracks).

“Even Sleeping” somewhat vividly laments the accidental death of a loved one.

“Ditches” urges you to never give up hope, and never stop fighting for what’s right, even when doing so may sometimes be tiring.

The metaphorical lyrics of “The City” enjoyably update and expand the ‘salt and light’ parable; and its music actually features a Ska-Punk guitar style.

“Homemade Valentine” brings back the appealing, driving Punk Rock/Rock, and its lyrics cleverly adapt Luke 24:13-34.

“Samantha” is a very serious segue that begs someone who is contemplating suicide to stop and hold on to life. It flows without any pause into the next track.

Immediately lightening the tone, “Mock The Music” is rocking, catchy, and fun.

“A Chance To Say Goodbye” is a fast-drummed (of course! ) rock ballad that humorously/seriously describes a child’s wistful farewell to the summer season.

“Time And Wasted Bullets” is another excellent track— lyrically intriguing, musically layered and rocking, and engagingly sung.

“Balloons Reprise” is a short (36-second), interesting reprise of “All My Balloons”, with a new intro and different lyrics.

And “Final”, yet another excellent track (and the perfect closer), sums up the future end of the world with rocking music and a bold, matter-of-fact attitude.

Children 18:3 is an excellent album— one that you’ll want to play over and over again— and it’s quite worthy of Best First Release.

Our rating for Children 18:3: 5 & 1/3 Stars.

BEST SECOND RELEASE 2010 Award Winner!

Runners-Up: Gungor (Beautiful Things), Silverline (Voices In The Night).
Honorable Mention: Ivoryline (Vessels).

Rain’s ‘A Comin’ kicks off with its title track, featuring excellent music and very memorable vocals.

“Cover Your Eyes” follows that up with even more-driving and catchy music. Its lyrics emphasize no longer running away from difficult situations or choices, but instead facing them.

“The Cruel One” is lyrically based on The 101 Dalmations. Because of this, you might expect it to be humorous, but in fact it’s a heavily rocking track that is actually done quite seriously.

“Whispering” is the excellent, atmospheric, Western-y instrumental that they’ve been playing at their live shows for a while. We’re glad that it’s now been recorded.

“Hey Driftwood (Tides)” is a heavy, driving Rock ballad (and no, that’s not incompatible ). Again, it’s quite memorable (particularly near the end).

“Oh Bravo” is vocally carried almost exclusively by LeeMarie until the end. Lyrically, it paints a vivid picture of a little girl taking part in a talent show. The sincere and sweet climax to this story prompts you to smile, and the track then finishes off with some powerful group vocals, making this another excellent song.

“Oh Honestly!” is lyrically encouraging, and is musically interesting in that while its guitarwork is entirely acoustic, it’s medium-fast-paced and does build in steps.

“Wonder I” of course brings back the electric guitar , and its excellent vocals with absolutely perfect trade-offs and harmonies make it yet another very memorable track.

“Stronger” is musically varied during the verses and excellently heavy during the intro and chorus. Lyrically, it firmly resolves to push on through difficult circumstances.

“Jack ‘O’ Lantern Dreams” contains slightly more vague lyrics and a great short bridge (so short, in fact, that you wish it were much longer!).

“Lost So Long” features great lyrical imagery that turns slightly creepy (in a good way ) in the second verse, and (again) all-around excellent music.

Finally, the record is closed with “The Last Laugh”, a jaunty, old-time-type piano piece performed by LeeMarie.

In all, this is a great second release from Children 18:3— like their debut, it’s one that you’ll want to listen to over and over, and (also like their debut ) it’s worthy of this Award.

Our rating for Rain’s ‘A Comin’: 5 & 1/4 Stars.