Third Day — 鈥楳iracle鈥�
The veteran Christian rockers from Georgia release their 12th studio album, following up 2010鈥檚 impassioned 鈥淢ove.鈥�
With the assistance of seasoned producer Brendan O鈥橞rien (The Killers, Pearl Jam, Train, Bruce Springsteen), 鈥淢iracle鈥� radiates with electrifying, mainstream pop as the band strays a touch from the Southern rock sound of the last two albums and flirts with various music styles and textures.
鈥淢iracle鈥� is fueled by lead singer Mac Powell鈥檚 captivating and distinct voice as he delivers compelling anthems of love, faith, struggle, perseverance and triumph. The album opener, 鈥淗it Me Like a Bomb,鈥� is a pure melodic rocker that abruptly explodes with fiery guitar riffs, a pulsating drum beat and Powell鈥檚 charismatic voice singing, 鈥淗ear the sound of the sirens ringing/See the world of a life that鈥檚 changing.鈥�
The band鈥檚 recent spirited performance of the song on 鈥淭he Tonight Show with Jay Leno鈥� is certainly enough reason to want to see the band perform live. 鈥淣o one can keep me from your side,鈥� sings Powell on the infectious acoustic-driven 鈥淜icking and Screaming,鈥� describing a life of dedication and steadfast devotion to one鈥檚 faith. The album鈥檚 lead single, 鈥淚 Need a Miracle,鈥� is a powerful testament to the band鈥檚 music and message. The song was inspired by the true story of a young man who had all but given up on life. At his lowest point, he heard Third Day鈥檚 鈥淐ry Out to Jesus鈥� on the radio prompting him to pray for strength and God鈥檚 power. As a result of fervent prayer, the young man overcame his struggles with depression and addiction.
鈥淚 Need a Miracle鈥� is a vivid reminder that daily miracles do happen when we search God鈥檚 heart. My personal favorites are 鈥淭ake Me Back鈥� with its contagiously smooth chorus and vibrant message of a renewed and simpler faith and the rousing 鈥淭he Victory鈥� as Powell strongly declares, 鈥淚鈥檒l run the race that needs to be run/I鈥檒l fight the fight that needs to be won.鈥� The album closes with a stellar cover of Cat Stevens鈥� 鈥淢orning Has Broken鈥� from his 1971 album 鈥淭easer and the Firecat.鈥� Powell鈥檚 vocal is spot on delivering this children鈥檚 hymn from 1931 as he ends the album singing, 鈥淧raise with elation, praise every morning/God鈥檚 recreation of the new day.鈥� A fitting ending to a heartening and inspiring album.