Exit Lights (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Solomon Olds (vocals, programming); Rachael Lampa, Trevor McNevan (vocals); Jessy Ribordy (guitar, keyboards, programming); Lynn Nichols, Mike Payne, Cary Barlowe, Jamie Moore (guitar); Tedd T. (keyboards, drums, programming); Josh Shroy (drums).

Additional personnel: Joseph A. Kisselburgh, Mike Payne, Cary Barlowe (guitars); Jedi McKnight (keyboards); Jamie Moore (bass guitar); Tony Morra (drums); Troma, Rachael Lampa, Solomon Olds, Trevor McNevan.

Audio Mixers: Tedd T.; J.R. McNeely.

Recording information: Antenna Studios, Franklin, TN; Co-Op, Franklin, TN; Downtown Batterie Studios; Paradigmworld Studios, Franklin, TN; The Tree House Studios, Antioch, TN.

Editors: Tedd T.; Lynn Nichols; Darrell Lehman.

Photographers: David Schrott; Kelly Kerr.

A companion piece to Falling Up's 2005 album, DAWN ESCAPES, this collection presents a set of remixes from that outing, along with previously unreleased songs. While the revved-up, guitar-heavy energy of the Oregon-based Christian rock act is still apparent on EXIT LIGHTS, some tracks are gilded with trip-hop-inspired beats and burbling electronics, as on the atmospheric track "Exit Calypsan (Into the Ice Cave)," making for an unexpectedly adventurous CCM offering.

Rarely does a remix album prove so redemptive. Following the sonically linear Dawn Escapes, the quick release of Exit Lights less than a year later showed that the Albany, OR, sextet had life and creativity after all. While their sophomore album focused on a message, the reworkings on Exit Lights focused on new sounds. Never getting within the pop range of Creed, the band experimented with hip-hop and industrial grooves. Formerly interchangeable tracks like the hits "Exit Calypsan" and "Cascades" found themselves not only more palatable but, more importantly, blog fodder for an expanded audience. Their new direction would have been welcome to both fans and newcomers who finally saw their potential to ride the modern rock fads that had ebbed and flowed during the middle of the decade. With a more diverse showing under their belts, Falling Up started silencing the naysayers. Any fan of tightly produced, layered rock will enjoy these extended versions of nu metal hits. ~ Jared Johnson minimize