Sonicpraise (CD - 2000)

SONICPRAISE was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album.

Personnel: Jeff Deyo (vocals); Dwayne Larring, Dana Weaver (guitar); Jason Halbert (keyboards); Aaron Blanton (drums).

Recording information: Fleuo Festival, The Netherlands (08/1999-10/1999); Nashville, TN (08/1999-10/1999).

Editor: Jason Halbert.

In his introduction to this live album, the MC introduces Christian rockers Sonicflood as "The Verve meets Radiohead meets the Holy Spirit." While the enthusiastic announcer's intentions are appreciated, the group's sound is actually more U2-meets-Third Eye Blind. Imagine the former's wide-screen sound with the latter's roots-pop hookiness. Mix in some unabashedly spiritual lyrics and you've got a pretty clear picture of the Sonicflood sound. For a band whose message and music depend so much upon the passion of performance and the interaction with a live audience, a concert recording is the ideal medium. And SONICPRAISE is every inch the living, breathing embodiment of the musical/theological spirit of which the group is in pursuit. Listening to the way the charging rhythms, catchy riffs, and Christian themes excite and inspire the band's audience, its easy to imagine how Soniflood has developed such a big following with a relative lack of mainstream radio play and press exposure. minimize