I’m starting to think that Third Day is this generation’s Petra.

Which is not to say that we need another Petra, thank you very much. I got into Christian music a bit late to truly enjoy Petra’s heyday. The Christian rock super group is still around, mind you, but I suppose that’s another review. I’m here to talk about CCM’s favorite hard-working, Southern-style rocking outfit from the Peach State. It hasn’t been that long since Third Day first burst onto the scene with a few indie rock hits that scored them a record deal with Reunion Records (generally known for singing more middle-of-the-road pop acts like Michael W. Smith, Clay Crosse, etc.), their earthy style combining a good dose of Pearl Jam and Hootie to ensure a winning combination for the college/youth group crowd. Which is not to say that the band was immature by any means. They had a simplicity to their style that was incredibly charming. They were the good ole Georgia boys next door, and many of us fell in love with classic rockers like “Consuming Fire”, “Forever”, “Did You Mean It?“, and ballads like the ever-popular “Love Song” and my personal favorite, “Thief”.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the band couldn’t stay underground for long. The subsequent years saw the band slowly and credibly working its way to the top of the CCM market, where they now reside, one step away from being the most popular Christian rock band out there (it could happen if their tour is a success and new efforts from Jars of Clay, Newsboys, and dc Talk aren’t as well received later this year). They proved they could experiment successfully on 1997’s Conspiracy No. 5, and proved they weren’t ashamed to return to their roots on 1999’s Time (released after their switch to the more cutting-edge Essential Records), which I still think is their greatest achievement yet. A lot of hype surrounded the band when they released Offerings: A Worship Experience in 2000, but as I always make a habit of pointing out, worship albums are trendy these days. Third Day did it to prove they loved their fans, not to cash in on a trend - although they definitely cashed in, with Offerings being their best seller yet and the album that got them Group of the Year at the Doves. I wasn’t as keen on that one, personally. A nice nugget for the fans, but too discontinuous to be considered an “album” in my book, and most of the live versions were outdone by the studio versions.

When the band prepared to release Come Together in late 2001, the climate was a lot different than it was in 1996. It seemed to me that the band had found firm footing in Christian music history, and when I grabbed the disc from my local music store and rushed home with it, I remember examining the CD and thinking of Petra. A lot of the same elements were there - good old clean cut rock-and-roll, youth group-friendly lyrics, a critically acclaimed and massively successful worship album… about the only difference would be that Third Day has kept all of its members since the first album! The band had told fans to expect some good old Southern Rock, and to understand that not all of the new material would be worship songs. I appreciated that, even if it may have frustrated some recent bandwagon-hoppers. Their success as a worship band has not necessarily led to good things for some other bands (label mates Jars of Clay were, in fact, pressured to do a worship album, and wisely declined), and I was personally longing for a return to some of the more cryptic lyrics found on Conspiracy.

So, does Come Together meet up to anyone’s expectations? Sort of. It’s a straightforward, solid rock album, even if it does get a little sleepy in the second half. The production is top-notch, and the album will likely churn out countless radio hits. A good number of the songs, if not necessarily meant for corporate worship, are unmistakably vertical in their focus, and the remainder are clearly focused on encouraging the church (hence the album’s title). It all looks really good on the surface, but two elements of Third Day’s identity are missing here. While there has been some experimentation with sound, it seems to push the band in more of a pop direction that doesn’t work as well with their earthy image as the more alternative stylings of Conspiracy did. And the lyrics - while very uplifting and earnest - aren’t as intriguing as those on Conspiracy or as compelling as those on the debut album or Time. That said, I have a good feeling that most of these songs will earn their rightful place as Third Day classics… a few likely have already.

Come Together
Oddly enough, the CD starts off with a high-pitched, synthesized keyboard and a programmed drum loop. The guitars and drums join in before the listener can get too confused - still, it’s an odd start for a Third Day record. Minus the bells and whistles, this tune is a vintage Third Day anthem with a strong guitar lead, Mac Powell’s scruffy but lovable vocals commanding the church’s attention, and some sweet “hoo-ooh” background vocals to propel things along. Mac has a way of packing lyrics together that only adds to his Southern charm when he sings them (think back to “Forever” and “Did You Mean It?”), which can make the chorus a little hard to follow at first, but which is ultimately one of the song’s strengths. I don’t know if it’s one of my personal favorites, but it’ll become a 3D classic due to its theme alone - unity among believers.
Until the day of His return
There‘s a lesson that we‘ve got to learn
We are brothers, we are sisters, we are one

40 Days
A slightly muted guitar riff and Mac’s voice take off immediately in this future rock radio hit. As one would expect from the title, the band is using the common Biblical reference for a period of suffering that Christians must sometimes go through, and Mac is singing from the point of view of someone in the midst of that time. The song rocks - perhaps not as hard as “Consuming Fire” or “Never Bow Down”, but it’s still quite strong. It might get a little bit muddled by the fact that the timing of the vocals seems slightly off from the timing of the drums here and there (but maybe that’s just me trying to sing when I think I should and getting thrown off). All in all, good track (likely named after an upcoming band that Mac discovered and helped to produce), and I love how the song’s last line “You brought me for a reason” leaves you hanging as the next song bleeds in.
In this trial that I‘m going through
I don‘t question ‘cause I know it‘s true
That the sorrow brings me back to You
And You have made me stronger

Show Me Your Glory
The obligatory praise song and first radio single sweeps in on an angelic bed of keyboards that seems to work better here than on the title track. Though it’s a very simple song, it’s honestly one of Third Day’s best ever - it carries a simple power due to its imagery. The lyrics seem to be inspired by Moses’ experience of meeting God at the top of a mountain - the feeling of not wanting that sense of awe to diminish will be understood by anyone who has ever gone off to a Christian conference or mission trip or whatever and felt that “camp high”. Come to think of it, this would make a great “camp song” - its main guitar riff is easy to learn but fun to play, with a catchy and quick D-A-G transition that gives beginning guitar players like me a lot of satisfaction. If I could change one thing about the song, I would give it a bridge - there’s just a short guitar solo and then it goes back into the chorus. But that’s a minor complaint.
When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won‘t settle for ordinary things
Gonna follow You forever
And for all of my days
I won‘t rest until I see You again

Get On
This is probably the strongest rocker on the album, and once again a smooth transition is pulled off as the “glory” of the last track bleeds into the oncoming train of guitars and percussion that leads into this all-too-short chastisement of the band’s nay-sayers. This is probably the closest that Third Day will ever get to sounding like Creed (the two lead vocalists get compared a lot, but that’s where the similarities end). The band keeps it decidedly Southern, complete with the female backup singers that made past tunes like “Took My Place”, “Have Mercy”, and “Mama” instant winners. Mac basically pulls aside a detractor in this song and informs him that criticizing the band’s ministry only creates division among the body of Christ - it reminds me of what a lot of the tracks on Creed’s latest album are about, but it’s tempered by more spiritual maturity and less anger, in my opinion. The band is basically saying, “Whatever, dude. Keep talking; we’re doing our best to glorify God and you don’t have to listen if you don’t like it.” I suppose it would be hypocritical of me to criticize this song, but it does slightly disappoint me that it doesn’t go on for longer, especially when the bridge transitions back into the chorus - I would have preferred more building up of tension there. Whatever - it’s still great and it’ll be a kicking live track.
I‘ve been doing some thinking
And I think you‘re wrong
Trying to put down what I‘ve been workin‘ on

My Heart
The smooth transitions between tracks are beginning to get annoying at this point. The intros for this song and the last two have been tacked onto the end of the previous tracks, which creates a nice flow but makes things a bit jarring when you skip to any of these tracks. But forget that. I really thought this track was odd for Third Day at first - it’s based around a strange guitar intro that bends back and forth and a chunky programmed rhythm. The difference in style is noticeable, since this was one was written primarily by guitarist Brad Avery. The lyrics are a very direct confession of weariness with the world and a longing for Christ’s return - it would have likely ended up on the Left Behind soundtrack if this album was 3D’s most recent at the time (instead, they stole and desecrated the killer “Sky Falls Down”). Despite my initial ambivalence toward the song, it’s really grown on me, and I find that guitar intro stuck in my head along with the soaring chorus. Likely another live favorite.
I search the sky and then I try imagining You there
Looking on, anticipating
You‘re standing by and knowing I will join You in the air
Until then I‘ll be here waiting

It‘s Alright
The band slows it down here, letting the electric guitars take a back seat to an ambient bed of piano, light percussion, and acoustic guitar. This is definitely a good song for a sad, rainy day, and its lyrics are probably the most vague out of the whole album. You could read it as a continuation of the thoughts from “My Heart”, or about a longing for the return of a human lover. As such, it’s probably the closest thing you’re going to find to the enigmatic nature of some of the songs on Conspiracy, though it’s still nowhere near as cool as “You Make Me Mad” or “This Song Was Meant for You”. It’s prettier and more laid-back, and I really do love it, especially the brief but tasty guitar solo in the middle.
Now the question isn‘t “will you?“
What I want to know is “when?”
If it‘s one day or a million
I will wait for You ‘til then

Still Listening
The Southern roots come back strong for this one - it’s got more of a down-home drawl to it, and so it doesn’t rock as hard as "Get On" or "40 Days", perhaps even seeming a bit uncomfortable in its slower tempo at first. The song has its own charm that grows on the listener, the slower tempo leaving room for twangy guitar bends and other influences that place the band a stone’s throw away from being "country". The lyrics are akin to "40 Days", but perhaps even more honest this time, as Mac admits that he really doesn’t understand what God is doing, but plans on keeping His ears open for whatever God has to say. It’s a similar theme to "Even a Whisper" from PfR’s latest record, though this tune fares a little better than that one did.
There was a time when I thought that I had You figured out
I told You before and I‘ll say once more
Now and then I have my doubts

I Got You
This one really threw me for a loop at first. A drum loop, that is. Once again, programming and keyboards lead the way before the organic instruments show up, and honestly, my first thought was that it was a slow, gentle hip-hop song. Obviously, that was a very deceptive impression - this turns out to be one of the most fun rockers on the project. Like “My Heart”, it just took me a little while to get over the odd combination of flavors and the medium tempo and accept that the experiment worked. This one’s great for singing along to at the top of your lungs in the car - a proud declaration to God that you will do your best to be content with what He’s doing no matter what your circumstances bring. It may feel a little unrealistic and detached, but in the context of "40 Days" and "Still Listening", it provides a healthy balance.
What kind of song do You want to sing for me?
Is it slow, or is it rock and roll?
What kind of day do You want to bring to me?
Rain or shine, I would be just fine

I Don‘t Know
Once again, the intro was tacked on to the last track - not a wise move… anyway, the record starts to get a tad slow here. Nothing beyond this point is really going to rock, and this particular track can seem slow and lackluster at first but give it time, and it presents itself as one of the more meaningful songs on the record. Mac seems baffled over his own sin and God’s willingness to forgive him - he’s a man who has a hard time with the concept of grace in this song. He is consumed by his desire to make things right, and it’s hard for him to accept that he can’t possibly do that on his own. It’s a very vulnerable song, but it may not get noticed as easily because the music doesn’t evoke the emotion of similar bummed-out-about-sin songs like “Can’t Take the Pain”, “I Deserve?” or the tear-jerking “Thief”. Part of that may be due to the dominant electric guitar - I like for my ballads to be more acoustic and crisp-sounding. The inclusion of mushy-sounding strings are a rather odd fit for Third Day, too (they’ve used them in the past, but to a more angular effect).
For all that I have put You through
Is there anything that I can do?
I would give my life to find Your mercy
What will it take until You forgive me?
Oh Lord, will I find that You have already?

When the Rain Comes
Acoustics play more of a dominant role in this folksy response from God to man - it’s well placed after “I Don’t Know”, even if it keeps the pace rather slow. It’s short and sweet - God wants for us to stop blaming all of our suffering on ourselves and simply understand that it’s a season of life that we must all go through as we mature - therefore He doesn’t want to prevent it because we won’t grow if He does. Maybe I’m reading more into it due to my personal experience, but it does seem that Mac has tapped into a theme of suffering on this album. The percussion is light here and the production backs off a bit except for a little bit of echo in the middle, which is a nice effect.
I can‘t stop the rain
From falling down on you again
I can‘t stop the rain
But I will hold you ‘til it goes away

Sing Praises
Some slightly tribal-sounding drums kick in here for a lively, if simplistic, worship romp before the album closes. It’s got a similar spirit to “Praise Song” from the first album, and a gutsy move for Third Day - a non-standard time signature that allows for another fun-to-play guitar riff. (Come to think of it, I don’t believe they’ve even done a song in 3/4 since "Consuming Fire", much less 7/4!) Some fans will likely be put off by the song’s repetitive nature and the ever-present backup vocals (you can even hear the guys going “Hey! Hey! Hey!” in the background at some points, in an odd, Cake-like fashion). It’s not as cool as “Show Me Your Glory”, but it might find its way into some worship services.
For You are God and You are Worthy
Of all our lives, of all our praise
And so we sing to the Most Holy
The Lord our God, the Lord our King

Nothing Compares
The last track starts off quiet, with just Mac and an electric guitar, and it tries to build into a grand worshipful finale, but at this point, I get the feeling that I’ve heard it all before. It’s not a bad song, but it stands out much less than the endings of any of the band’s past albums (“Praise Song”, the gorgeous “Your Love Endures”, and the epic-length “Give”). It may be in part due to the dominant electric guitar, which can be the band’s best friend and worst enemy all at once - it’s not particularly grungy or anything; it just decreases the song’s impact.
I find myself just living for today
‘Cause I don‘t know what tomorrow‘s gonna bring
So no matter if I rise or fall
I‘ll never be alone

In the end, Come Together is a fine entry in the Third Day catalog - maybe not the place to start, but a good collection. It’s definitely more cohesive than Offerings, even if the overall theme doesn’t quite seem to… well, “come together”. I think some listeners will be expecting more “we” songs here that deal with the church as a whole rather than the struggles of an individual Christian. I relate more to the individual stuff, so I don’t mind that, but the title doesn’t sum it up as well as it could. I might have entitled this album “Show Me Your Glory”, or even “My Heart”. But then, maybe I’m missing an obvious connection, and the band would entitle me “Get On”. And all my complaints are honestly minor. I’d recommend that new Third Day fans start with Time or the self-titled album, but this ain’t a bad place to end up once you’re familiar with their back catalogue. In any case, I think they’ve done their predecessors (Petra and the like) proud, and definitely upped the ante for the good clean Christian rock bands of the future.

TRACK REVIEW SUMMARY
Excellent: Get On, 40 Days, Show Me Your Glory, My Heart, Still Listening
Good: Come Together, It's Alright, I Got You
Decent: I Don't Know, When the Rain Comes, Sing Praises
Weak: Nothing Compares
Skippable: NONE

Band Members:
Mac Powell: Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Mark Lee: Guitars
Brad Avery: Guitars
Tai Anderson: Bass
David Carr: Drums, percussion

Website: http://www.thirdday.com


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving