SPIRIT

I was quite impressed with this band's previous effort "Fanfare & Fantasy" (definitely a 4-star recording), so I was looking forward to this release. The title suite is a concept piece based upon a personal tragedy (I don't know if it affected one the band members, but I suspect it did), perhaps the loss of a daughter. As one would expect in times of difficult trial, the writer's attention is focused upward. "Why?" is a completely human and understandable reaction, as is even some anger when we cannot grasp the unexplainable. Unfortunately, the lyrics go on and on there, in a exceedingly lengthy rant against Almighty God as the writer says in the opening piece "You're God and You let me down". I get it. You prayed and didn't get what you asked for. You feel abandoned, betrayed perhaps.

But the writer continues to pursue after God, declaring Him uncaring, even plotting evil. In the lyrics "Why take the innocent? Why punish the good? And why make us suffer as only You could?", he declares his wisdom and knowledge superior to God.

This concept had the opportunity for real greatness, had the writer come to grips with his smallness, as did Job. When God questioned him "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know!" Job realized his lack of understanding in even the most basic things of life. Who is he to question the motives or wisdom of the Almighty? "I put my hand over my mouth."

Finally, toward the end of the suite, the author passingly attributes that someday we will know all things and they will make sense:

"Rise again, oh rise again in everlasting love. Death is but a shadow and conquered from above. Your spirit soars in love and joy, carried to the light. Everything makes sense now. As the dawn breaks through the night."

But there is no repentance for the long-winded screed against God which consumes most of the lyric. There are some moments of great music here, even some surpassing "Fanfare". The title theme "Spirit shines" is particularly uplifting, and I would have liked to have heard more of it.

Normally, I would consider this a 4-star release, no question, but the lyrical content is very poor theology, and, as a Christian, I find this hard to overlook.

3 stars for what could have been 5 stars plus.