Band: Hawk Nelson
Title: Live Life Loud
Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Release Date: September 22nd, 2009
Reviewer: Shawn H.
Tracklisting
- Live Life Loud
- Never Enough
- Eggshells
- Meaning Of Life
- Alive
- Ode To Lord Stanley
- Long Ago
- The Job
- Shaken
- Lest We Forget
- Tis So Sweet
- The Final Toast
The Canadian foursome known as Hawk Nelson is back again with their latest full-length album Live Life Loud. This album start off with the title track ‘Live Life Loud’, a typical anthem song, but catchy nonetheless. This is followed by ‘Never Enough’, a song that brings a familiar Hawk Nelson sound, but has a strange resemblance to “Let’s Dance” (a song from Hawk Nelson Is My Friend). ‘Eggshells’ brings a familiar Hawk Nelson with guest vocals by TobyMac. If you choose someone to do guest vocals on your album, it is wise to choose an individual who has done guest vocals numerous times & Hawk Nelson seems to be well aware of that. ‘Meaning Of Life’ is the next track to follow. This was Hawk Nelson’s fist CHR single from the album. A mixture of soft & hard rock is always welcomed & Hawk Nelson proves that by having ‘Alive’, a track with some heavy vocals/guitars. We are then treated to a sweet banjo interlude ‘Ode To Lord Stanley’, which is based on a dream that Jason Dunn’s (Vocals) favorite hockey team, Calgary Flames, win the Stanley Cup (hockey championship trophy of National Hockey League). ‘Long Ago’ continues in a familiar Hawk Nelson sound. ‘The Job’ brings back memories of Saturday Night Rock Action (Hawk Nelson’s first EP) & clearly draws from MxPx & Sum41 influences. ‘Lest We Forget’ is the perfect example of how Hawk Nelson’s mixture of soft rock & upfront lyrics leads to a great song. Rarely do I enjoy a modern remake of a old hymn, but ‘Tis So Sweet’ was an exception to this. The album comes to a conclusion with an outro track, ‘The Final Toast’.
Overall:
Hawk Nelson is no longer the amateur band that was signed to Tooth & Nail years ago. They have matured in both their style, attitude, lyrical/chord choices & seem to have gained a lot of experience with their involvement with Trevor McNevan during the last several years. This is another step in the right direction for Hawk Nelson, hopefully not their last!