 tobyMac [Tonight] |
| Review Date: February 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Kevin R. Davis, Perkasie, PA |
Starting with dcTalk, and then going solo when the group disbanded in 2000, TobyMac still clings to such notions as hard work, persistence, patience and the power of music, which he insists is still what keeps him going. Tonight is easily the most anticipated new album of the new decade, and is truly amazing and a great way to start off the year. If you are a long-time Christian music fan, you'll hear that classic blend of rock, hip-hop and worship that made Jesus Freak one of the all-time greatest albums in the history of Christian music. Toby grabbed me immediately with opening track "Tonight," featuring John Cooper from Skillet, which is a techno-style rock song that rivals "Say The Words" by dcTalk, both in intensity and catchiness. Toby's vocals have never sounded better and he and John blend seamlessly as they both sing their hearts out on this fantastic opening song expressing our urgency for God. One theme that runs loud and clear throughout the album is the idea that we all need God, and we need him now, this morning, this afternoon, tonight. "Right here, right now / Under the stars / I promise You my heart / 'Cause it starts tonight," Toby sings on the chorus of the title track.
If you are looking for a hip-hop song in the style of "Made To Love," look no further than second song "Get Back Up." The melody and music is so catchy, I was bouncing in my seat as I listened to the song. "Funky Jesus Music" is next and I can't remember any album since Portable Sounds that has three opening tracks as strong and upbeat as the first three songs on Tonight. If the start of the album wasn't incredible enough, next comes Toby's GRAMMY-nominated song "City On Our Knees." "If you gotta start somewhere why not here? If you gotta start sometime why not now?" he asks on "City on Our Knees," which is a great song to cool down and worship before the next two songs get you moving again.
"ShowStopper" might actually live up to its pretty impressive title as it has even more grooves than "Boomin'," which was previously my favorite "party song" by Toby. The bridge "so rock me, drop me, but you will never stop me" sums up the energy level of this great song. "Changed Forever" has a confessional message and features some great guest vocals from Nirva Ready. "`Hold On' is very personal," Toby says. "Many lines are there to encourage my wife, but I know those lines could encourage anybody in a relationship. As for `Start Somewhere,' any time you're in love with somebody, you're going to bang heads from time to time. I don't know how many times I've been lying in bed, sweating it out and thinking, How am I going to make this right? But then you reach that moment of apology and forgiveness. And then there's "Wonderin'," in which Toby reminisces about the past with Kevin Max and Michael Tait in dcTalk I'm wonderin' 'bout the way I spend my days / Wonderin' if it's even worth the chase / Wonderin' if they're stealin' me from You." There's even a healthy dose of reggae on the album closer "Break Open the Sky," where Toby flexes his Jamaican family ties while Israel Houghton provides guest vocals. Other visiting vocalists include Relient K's Matthew Thiessen on "Wonderin'."
This is one of those albums that requires you to move your body along with the unbelievable hooks to truly "feel" the passion of these songs. Tonight should probably come with a warning label for people who get motion sickness. If these songs don't make you move, you may not have a pulse. Right now, this is the top Christian album of the year and the best overall album by tobyMac in my opinion. Tonight will certainly be holding a place in my top 10 albums of 2010. |
Tonight-MP3 download/CD
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| Review Date: February 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: CAL, Florida |
Okay music fans! If you love music this is a great CD to have. If you have had a rough year & looking for God to speak to you & restore you & minister to you, this CD is a MUST!
Toby has been doing his thing for more than 20 years & I must say TMac I do not know how you do it but you have out done yourself again. You are not only writing good music, but tapping into God's heart & raising up an amazing future talent (go TruDog- I look forward to hearing more of you in the up & coming years).
Whatever you may be going through, God will use this music to minister to your soul!
Enjoy! |
Best Yet!
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| Review Date: February 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Salamanderman, Florida |
Say what you want about the Christian music community, but Toby has more talent in his left pinky than most of the mainstream dribble out there and "Tonight" shows us once again why Toby is THE front-runner of the CCM market. I have been a loooooong time Toby fan, dating all the way back to 92 with DC Talk's "Free At Last" came out and as much as I miss Kevin and Micheal the bands break-up gave us a diamond with Toby's solo career (and Im glad to see the other guys still in the industry).
Tonight feels a lot like Portable Sounds, and that's not a bad thing at all. It showcases Toby's signature style, creating a multi-genre uplifting record with personal lyrics, catchy tunes, and amazing production value. The title track is just about the most-perfect pop/rock song I have ever heard and John Coopers vocals fit perfectly. You get a little of everything here and it's all good stuff. Even Truet's (Toby's son) song is better than the last and the ending dialogue is hillarious.
"Portable Sounds" peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200, I will be shocked if "Tonight" doesn't hit the top 5. BUY IT NOW! |
TobyMac - Tonight (4.5/5)
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| Review Date: February 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: C. Smith, New York |
Catchy beats, heartfelt and uplifting lyrics, and a diverse collection of songs is the best way to describe Tonight. Toby has experimented with hip hop, R&B, funk, soul, rock, and pop, and he has pulled off all of these genres like a pro in every album he puts out. It is clear that Toby has once again put his heart and soul into each of the songs found on Tonight.
The album kicks off with the self titled song which boasts guest vocals from John Cooper of Skillet. I'm amazed how well Cooper's raspy and urgent voice fits into this song. It's a rock song in every sense of the word with a great beat, great guitar work, and a chorus that is guaranteed to be stuck in your head. Get Back Up is a catchy pop/rock song with a positive message that is encouraging to anyone who has ever fallen on their face.
Possibly the greatest "ballad" Toby has written since becoming a solo artist, City On Our Knees is borderline epic. "Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave. Tonight's the night, for the sinners and the saints, two worlds collide, in a beautiful display. It's our love tonight, when we step across the line, we can sail across the sea, to a city with one King, a city on our knees." This is a perfect example of some of TobyMac's skills as a songwriter.
Showstopper is one of the highlights of the album, and it might even be my favorite TobyMac song. It's extremely catchy, nice drums, guitars, and is sure to get the crowd moving. I could easily see this song being Toby's opening song at his shows.
LoudNClear is a song by Toby's son Truett who goes by the artist persona TruDog. He has appeared on every studio album, including the two remixes, and it might be time to break that tradition. Truett's raps used to be cute and amusing, but on this release, it is no longer cute, and just seems out of place. This song is the only song that makes you reach for the skip button after multiple listens.
Hey Devil is the second highlight of the album. It's a funky rock song that has a great dance beat. It is the first and only song off the album that can't be compared to another TobyMac song. Wonderin', although one of the weaker songs off the album, is still a fun listen. It has a poppy chorus with rapped bridges. Matthew Thiessen of Relient K makes a guest appearance, but you really wouldn't know unless you were listening for his voice. He fills the role of background vocals nicely, but I feel like he should have had a more important part in the song.
Start Somewhere is definitely a highlight. It's a diverse song in itself, and very hard to classify. It has some orchestration, clapping, gunshots, some jazz, and for some reason I get a subtle Latino vibe to the whole song, especially at the end of the song. Does anyone else get that vibe? Break Open The Sky, is a good R&B song in itself, but Toby is known to go out with a bang. Break Open The Sky doesn't have the same effect as a closer as the DC Talk reuniting song Atmosphere [Remix], or anti-materialistic Lose My Soul.
This is a truly enjoyable collection of songs that has a great replay value. Toby has once again created an amazing album. He continues to put out fun, catchy, and uplifting songs with clever and honest lyrics. My only hope is that we don't have to wait another three years for another full length studio release. |
TobyMac delievers Tonight so we can Get Back Up and listento some Funky Jesus Music
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| Review Date: February 16, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Michele Glodoski, Green Bay Wisconsin |
"tobyMac" the veteran in music releases yet another CD called "Tonight". "Tonight" fuses Rock with hip-hop with pop, while still doing what he does best, making music that will make you want to dance.
"Tonight" opens up with "Tonight" the song starts off with a Stephanie smith sounding intro then gets into the "tobyMac" we've all come to love. The bridge misses it mark compared to the rest of the song, but it's still a good song overall. "Get Back Up" has a "All In" feel and delivers straight forward lyrics. "Funky Jesus Music" is a song that will make you want to jump ( if your in a car to crank it up ). "City On Our Knees" is my favorite song of the album, the chorus tells us what we as need to be like not a city, but a nation on our knees.
"Showstopper" is a great song that is great for concert and that's what the song is about. "Captured" and "Hold On" are amazing song with great lyrics. We really need to be "Captured" in God and to "Hold On" when things get though.
"tobyMac" delivers "Tonight" to show us we can "Get Back Up" and Listen to some "Funky Jesus Music" so we can become a "City On Are Knees" and become a "Showstopper". Then we will say "Hey Devil" let go of me and stop "Holding On" to me because I'm "Changed Forever" and I'm "Wonderin'" when I'm going to be "Captured" and "Start Something" that will "Break Open The Sky"
"tobyMac has delivered a great album even though it misses the mark on a couple songs this is still a home run for "tobyMac" |
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