for KING & COUNTRY 'Hope Is What We Crave Live' Review

By Kim Jones Oct 18, 2013 10:24 AM EDT

(Photo : Word Entertainment)
for KING & COUNTRY - Hope Is What We Crave Live

In 2012, for King and Country released Crave, their major label debut. The album went to #2 on the iTunes top Christian & Gospel albums on its day of release and ended up being named the "Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Album of 2012" on iTunes. Hope Is What We Crave Live, the duo's second project, was filmed on the final night of for KING & COUNTRY's first headline tour at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. The project includes a live DVD and CD, the music video for "The Proof of Your Love," the behind the scenes story of the making of the video, and three acoustic songs recorded live at KLOVE Studios in Rocklin, California.

On the musical side, the thing that jumps out the most on the live release is the passion. In a studio, a good sound engineer can add in what is missing but when you're recording live, if the artist or the audience isn't feeling the music, it's very obvious. The Smallbone brothers don't have that problem at all and you feel what they're singing as much as you hear it. As they invite fans to sing along with them, you are almost transported to the venue, singing and worshiping with them.

The music is as good as it is on the original studio version; if anything, the live experience makes it sound even better. One such example is the exquisite "Middle Of Your Heart." The song itself reminds us that when we give God control (in a situation, in our lives), we have no more need to worry because He doesn't make mistakes or misteps. Watching it be performed takes it to a new level.

"Crave," another "even better" song, delivers an ideal blend of quiet, peaceful verses and powerful choruses. As the brothers build up to Hope is what we crave, and that will never change / So I stand and wait / I need a drop of grace to carry me today / A simple song to say / It's written on my soul: / Hope's what we crave you find yourself not just hearing the words, but feeling them all the way to the core of who you are.

As a general rule, if I haven't seen a band in concert and just loved every moment of it, I won't buy a live project because I'm usually disappointed. Hope Is What We Crave | Live doesn't disapoint one bit.

GENRE: Pop/Contemporary
RECORD LABEL: Fervent / Word
RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2013