print: Stand Out - Tye Tribbett & G.A. | CD Review on BlackGospel.com

Stand out / Tye Tribbett & GA
(Columbia records)

May, 2008 on BlackGospel.com
Musical Review by Christopher Heron

The latest release by show-stopping stage man, apparel extraordinaire, Mr. Tye Tribbett, has finally found its way into Christian bookstores and CD shops on May 6^th and, if I can go out on a limb, I must say it was well worth the wait. Stand Out (Columbia) is the third instalment by one of today’s most engaging personalities, a voice and figure who continues to push the musical and lyrical envelope to the very edges of most Christians’ comfort zones.

But what separates Tye Tribbett from his contemporaries is his charming ability to hold the attention span of his audience with challenging Christian content presented through visual wonder and musical amazement. So, whether you’re a Sunday morning church goer or a Saturday night party animal, you will be engaged by the music and ministerial content that’s delivered in a cool and crafty package that’s sometimes unbelievable, occasionally funny but 100% Tye.

The recent release by Tye Tribbett & Greater Anointing is also evidence of Tye’s artistic growth, as he straddles the symbolic fence between Contemporary Christian and Gospel music, pulling from an array of influences that resemble rock, alternative, grunge, and that familiar chapel music. Tye has always appeared at home in whatever musical format thrown his way.

For instance, Tye Tribbett displayed a musical flare for Indie Rock on the selection, “Yours”, collaborating with Men Of Standard and Warryn Campbell. Tye’s street savvy was in full bloom on the track,” Who Am I”, with Da Truth. Then, there’s the cool Contemporary Gospel single, “Could’ve Been Me” that teamed Tye Tribbett with contemporary heavyweights, Kirk Franklin and J Moss. But leaving no doubts in the minds of believers, Minister Tribbett showed he was a product of the church and a pastor’s kid on “High Praise”, with John P. Kee & New Life Community Choir.

The trend towards diversity and unpredictability is consistent in his latest offering, Stand Out, an album that speaks the musical and lyrical language of Contemporary Christians, who require modern-day ministers to think, speak and play outside of the box. The growing angst of music lovers is also challenging today’s artist to deliver a product that will...pardon the pun...Stand Out from the unremarkable musical malaise that floods the marketplace. Tye Tribbett has answered the bell on both ends and aptly entitled his album – Stand Out.

Noteworthy highlights of Tribbett’s new CD release are many and more than will be listed in this album review. However, a few tracks are too deserving to be overlooked. For example, the title track, “Stand Out”, sets the tone and tempo for Part 3 of Tye Tribbett’s CD trilogy. With horns blaring, drums beating and voices bellowing, the war cry sounds off in typical Tye fashion. There’s also the silky smooth extended version of his original snippet, “Look Up”, featuring vocal virtuoso, Kierra KiKi Sheard, reminding God’s people to put their faith in the One above...just ‘look up’ to the hills from whence cometh your help.”

The album takes an unexpected turn into some unchartered musical territory on a track like “Prodigal Son”. It’s a trip into spiritual angst and musical darkness, as Tye speaks in the third-person of a return to the Father. It’s an experimental sound unfamiliar to most Gospel music listeners, yet it miraculously works, if only with Tye Tribbett! Now fasten your seatbelt. The journey into musical sponteneity isn’t quite over yet, as Tye Tribbett speeds up the tempo to a dizzying pace that’s pure adrenaline on “All Hail The King”. Music stays fast and furious through most of the CD, with that innately Contemporary Christian music feel like on the dance-inducing track “Let Us Worship” and the explosive “So Amazing”. In fact, for most of the album, the speedy syncopated beats, grunge guitars and heavy horns match up pretty well in volume and voltage with the extra wattage and unwavering faith Tye Tribbett wears like a badge of honor.

Before the musical journey is complete, Tye & GA take it all the way back to the little chapel on the hill with “He Has Made Me Glad” and “I Made It Through”. Gospel music’s secret singing weapon, Ms. Kim Burrell makes her third cameo appearance in as many albums with Greater Anointing on “He Has Made Me Glad” and it’s a stellar moment. Ms. Burrell teases the listener with yet another vocal high wire act that will win her rave reviews among seasoned Gospel music listeners. On “I Made It Through”, Tye Tribbett & GA test the Theory of Relativity by pushing the musical pace and vocal limitations of the entire GA cast and crew to another plateau in praise. It’s an exhibition of the Spirit overwhelming the flesh, causing an outbreak of crazy praise in the process.

But it’s not all noise and nefarious musicianship. As the curtain begins to fall on the album and the choir takes their farewell bow, Tye Tribbett drops a meditative score called, “Well Done”, a simple serenade in soft tones, testifying about what the theme and purpose for this whole album and life’s journey is about. We just want to see our Savior say, “Well Done”.

Well let me also be one to say, “Well Done” to Tye Tribbett, for defying convention and calculated risk and opting to produce an album that’s original, contemporary and relative to the experiences of modern-day Christians. Tye Tribbett is a pioneering artist who’s earning his stripes and reputation for his uniqueness, candor and unwavering faith. As for his latest album, the compositions are commendable, the musicianship is groundbreaking and the message is God-centered. In essence, the albums of Tye Tribbett & GA “Stand Out” like an exotic orchid in a wild garden...a creation of beauty, a thing of wonder, a testimony of Greater Anointing.

tyetribbett.com
tyetribbettworldwide.com
columbiarecords.com