Skillet - Comatose (2006)

Artist: Skillet
Album: Comatose
Format: Audio CD
Bitrate: VBR

Track Listing:
01. Rebirthing
02. Last Night
03. Yours to Hold
04. Better Than Drugs
05. Comatose
06. Older I Get
07. Those Nights
08. Falling Inside the Black
09. Say Goodbye
10. Whispers in the Dark
11. Looking for Angels

Album review

Back with a bang, Skillet is set to release Comatose, their 8th studio record, and judging by the excitement growing in panheads across the country, it’s sure to be a classic!

Building off the success found in using strings on their previous record, Collide, Skillet ups the ante, and takes listeners to a level completely untouched by the band in previous attempts. Comatose is packed full of genius compositions, with hard-hitting lyrics to back it up. Skillet has never shied away from the ‘ugly’ things in the lives of listeners, Christian and non-Christian alike, and certainly prove themselves to be serious about tackling issues often ignored by the church (Suicide, poverty, self injury, to name a few), in this album.

The albums first single, "Rebirthing," dives right in and starts the record off with plenty of strings. With an intro intended to heighten the listener’s excitement, lead singer John Cooper comes in with a gut-wrenching scream to bring the intro to climax, allowing the music to flow in to the first verse easily. "Rebirthing" gives a great representation of the album and leaves listeners eager to hear the rest.

The following track, "The Last Night" continues to pack a strong punch in the strings department, much to my delight. One of the more lyrically impacting songs, "The Last Night" holds many of the more touching lines on the album. "Look me in the eye so I know you know I’m everywhere you need me to be," perfectly embodies the intensity in the emotion God feels when His children are unsure of where they are with their faith. He wants us to see how serious He is, and this line has led me to examine the solidity of my own faith.

While it’s packed full of gut-wrenching screams and guitar solos, Comatose makes sure to include slower, more reflective songs as well. "Yours To Hold," "The Older I Get," and "Say Goodbye" provide much needed, and perfectly placed breaks as you make your way through the album. With emotional lyrics, and vocals done by both John and Korey Cooper, "Say Goodbye" leaves you with two words in mind: power ballad! While I quickly admit to the song being semi-cliché, it’s definitely a solid song, and certainly draws the listener in to the emotion and desperation of the situation at hand.

One of the most notable songs on the album is the closing track, "Looking For Angels," which is mostly spoken-word. This completely drew me in from the beginning, as the honesty and desperation shown in this track is absolutely remarkable. "Looking For Angels" is very different from things Skillet has done in the past but with lyrics like, "When will we learn that wars, threats, and regrets are the cause and effect of living in fear," you can’t help but realize how much this song hits close to home. This track is not a downer though, quite the opposite. As the song nears its end, it becomes a call to action to change the world in any way you can. "What will you do to help someone along the way? Just a touch, a smile as you turn the other cheek? Pray for your enemies, humble yourself, love’s staring back at me."

The only weak point on the record, in my opinion, is the scarily pop-punk track "Those Nights," a song you’d expect to find on an album of the likes of Hawk Nelson or MEST. This track just seems to drag the album down, losing a touch of musical sophistication that I’ve always prided Skillet in having. The only other complaint is that at times, lyrics can seem a bit overdramatic, for want of a better word. Luckily, that’s a rare occasion and doesn’t take away too much from the record. In all reality, you have to get incredibly critical to find any real fault with Comatose.

As the final track comes to a close, I found myself immediately starting the album back up and still, after many listens, surprised and excited by what awaited me. This is a solid album through and through. A major step musically, as Skillet continues to mature their sound, and overall presentation of their message. If you’re looking for a good, solid album, with a beautiful blend of genius music compositions, poetic lyrics, and passionate vocals - Comatose is it!

Review from Ccmbuzz.com

Download Skillet - Comatose