Resound Radio | Album Reviews

How Can We Be Silent?

BarlowGirl | July 24th, 2007

With all that BarlowGirl had going for them, anticipation was pretty huge for How Can We Be Silent, their most recent release. BarlowGirl has only grown in success since their 2004 self-titled debut and initial hit single “Never Alone.” With Another Journal Entry, the band only solidified their stand in Christian music earning numerous Dove Award nominations including one for Group of the Year. So as anticipation was hitting a climax, we asked, “Where is BarlowGirl going to go next?”

How Can We Be Silent kicks off with “Song For The Broken” which has great instrumentation. The girls' voices are as crisp as ever and the song serves as an excellent beginning to the disc. The next track, “I Believe In Love” introduces the main problem with the disc. Lyrics throughout the album are near impeccable, just as BarlowGirl has done in the past. The problem lies in the fact that BarlowGirl's vocals, now more than ever, do not mix well with the instrumentation of the disc. The pace of the girls' instruments does not match the tempo of the lyrics. It seems BarlowGirl attempted to sound both angelic with their vocals, and rocking with their instruments and the outcome is short of glamorous.

“Here's My Life” and “Million Voices” are probably two of the strongest songs on the album, however even they are not immune to the album's overriding problem. BarlowGirl does try to push their musical boundaries, however, with “One More Round,” which is a jazzy song paralleling a round of boxing with the Christian life. And all things considered, BarlowGirl pulls off the song relatively well. “Take My Chances” and “The Guy Song” are also relatively well done while also still falling to the album's main setback. The latter is actually a song written to men, which is an interesting approach from an all female group.

All in all, the album is probably going to be the largest slump in BarlowGirl's short history. Any element of the disc on its own, the music, the lyrics, or the vocals, is outstanding. However, when the songs were mixed, the outcome is almost painful to listen to. After repeated listens, the songs will most likely grow on any listener; it's just whether or not you decide to finish the album through the first time.

Reviewed by Jarrod Steinmetz on October 17th, 2007

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