After Edmund- Hello Review

Artist: After Edmund
Title: Hello
Website: http://www.afteredmund.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/afteredmund
Style: Modern Pop/Rock
Label: Slanted Records
Rating: 8.1 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

 

Hello is the debut release from this Georgia band made up of 5 guys, all in their mid-20's.  The band's lineup is, Mitch Parks (lead vocals/guitars), Matt McFadden (bass guitar), Ben Hosey (guitars), Yates (keyboard instruments), and Adam Stanley (drums).

 

The band's name, After Edmund, comes from the Edmund character found in C.S. Lewis' best-selling book series The Chronicles of Narnia.

 

Several of the band's members have been classically trained along with being multi-instrumental.  "When we talk about several of us being classically trained, it is not meant to sound like showing off," explains drummer Adam Stanley. "Hopefully people won't listen and say 'they sound like music majors,' but our goal through that kind of practice and study is the ability to make better music where we know what we're doing in the studio rather than just stabbing around in the dark. If our backgrounds are not facilitating better art, it's pretty worthless other than just for amusement's sake."

 

The songs found on Hello range from driving rock numbers that feature big guitar parts and pounding drums to more melodic in tone. The one constant that runs through all of the songs is the talent that each band member posses. The songs are, tight, well done and offer strong arrangements.

 

They deal with issues like surrendering your fears to God, God's desire for all of us to know Him, to not place value on earthly treasures that are only temporary, God's power in the stormy times to pull us through them, and even though we might drift away from God, He's always there with us waiting to welcome us back.

 

When asked about the ministry part of their music band drummer Adam Stanley said, "A lot of our ministry is off stage since we enjoy talking to people and hearing what's on their mind," Stanley sums up. "...we are happy to share how faithful God's been to us. Being a musician, life is really uncertain, but we've never missed a meal! We'll be happy to share that, plus a lot of people are looking for someone outside their families to help them feel validated. Just being a listening ear does wonders for their self-esteems, which is an important part in finding the Truth. Sure we're all sinners; but on the flipside, we're beautiful in God's eyes and people have to realize how much He loves them."

 

After Edmund is made up of a group of very talented guys on a record label that gives them the freedom to experiment and make their music shine. The result of that is the well-crafted release, Hello.