Resound Radio | Album Reviews

This Is Who We Are

Run Kid Run | May 16th, 2006

For all those fans of punk-rock bands such as Relient K, Hawk Nelson, and Kids in the Way, Run Kid Run is another great band that you're sure to enjoy. Although their style isn't anything new, they sure do know how to rock! Run Kid Run, a quartet of hardcore punksters out of Chicago, signed with Tooth & Nail Records by the beginning of 2006 and began working under the direction of producer James Paul Wisner (Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory, Underoath). Their debut album, This Is Who We Are, is about finding your true sense of self and holding on to that with all you have. With uplifting melodies and catchy guitar riffs, it's practically guaranteed to make you sing along.

This Is Who We Are opens up with “We've Only Just Begun,” an energetic uplifting tune encouraging people to have faith in chasing dreams even when they seem impossible to achieve: Go make the best of everything you want to be / With ambition pushing forward / Your dreams upon your shoulders / Though impossible it seems / It's time to just believe “Wake Up, Get Up” begins with a burst of electric guitars and definitely shows some of the band's talent. “Sing to Me,” the first song on this album that begins with a short drum solo, symbolically expresses how the Holy Spirit can fill someone. Describing the composition of a song, the lyrics include terms such as harmony, melody, orchestrates, in key, and rhythm. When looking at the big picture, it becomes clear that the theme is the Holy Spirit. “Modern March” continues with this theme in a realization that you can't make it on your own and a cry out to be filled with the Spirit once again: I give you my life won't you take me / For I was nothing before you found me / I will use my voice to sing out / With all that I am, with all that I have / I long to see you again / Holy Spirit please come back in. “Miles and States” expresses a desire to be with a loved one in times of separation. “I'll Forever Sing” concludes the album with yet another powerful rock tune. However, a little bit of contrast is added right from the get-go with a mellow intro of streaming synth and distant lyrics before turning hardcore.

Run Kid Run might be just your average punk-rock band right now, but they've got potential and are definitely worth looking into if you haven't already done so. They're energetic, musically talented, and on fire for God! Downfalls of this band are monotony and unoriginality which may cause listeners to lose interest more quickly than usual. However, they still seem to pull off the common mix of power-pop and punk-rock quite well.

Reviewed by Jenna Rothhaar on February 17th, 2008

Music Testing

We rely on you, the listener, to tell us what you like so we can deliver the best music possible. Our identified core artists are those that are consistently ranked highly by a survey performed each year. If a particular song tests well, it is played with more frequency. If a song tests poorly, it is removed. Your feedback as a listener is crucial to us.

At Resound, music testing is essential to our philosophy of operation. It's your station, so you should pick the music. Every month, you will have an opportunity to participate in our in-studio music test and receive a free candy bar for your help. If you are interested in being a part of our online music testing group which will launch later this semester, email our Music Director and let us know!